Eyes on the future in northern British Columbia

Who will be looked upon in the dying minutes of a tie game? Who will be counted upon to provide leadership on the long road to a national title? Who will make the key pass? Score the big goal? Make the huge save?

International Scouting Services has selected three players from each of the eight teams competing in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., that it believes are players to watch at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Who made the list?

CANADA BLACK

KIRBY DACH
great combination of size, strength and puck skills … ‘offence first’ mentality … soft hands… good puck pursuit … quick stick … finds available ice

ALEX NEWHOOK
explosive forward … at his best with puck on his stick … always wants the puck … plays with no fear … quick release … dangerous every shift

PHILIP TOMASINO
dynamic offensive talent … creates offence with hard work … very consistent … jumps in and out of holes to create chances … plays with passion

CANADA RED

BOWEN BYRAM
controls the game … plays with swagger … smart and skilled … plays in all situations … doesn’t panic with the puck … good support of his partner

PEYTON KREBS
plays with determination and passion … exciting player … puck follows him on the ice … accurate wrist shot … always in motion … dynamic player

ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE
high-impact forward … can control and dominate games … corrals bad passes with ease … great hands … makes smart decisions quickly

CANADA WHITE

JAKOB PELLETIER
creative play-making forward … good speed … natural play-maker … likes to carry the puck … very good vision … shifty with the puck

BRADEN SCHNEIDER
mobile two-way defenceman … makes crisp outlet passes … quick feet for his size … good positioning to shut down rush … steady as they come

MICHAEL VUKOJEVIC
plays with poise … complete package … high-end skating … reads the game very well … excellent hockey sense … makes smart decisions

CZECH REPUBLIC

MARTIN HUGO HAS
two-way defenceman … strong skater for his size … makes good decisions with the puck … hard shot … uses long reach to break up passes

FILIP PRIKRYL
highly skilled … provides leadership … always seems to be in the right place … not afraid to carry the puck into traffic … aggressive on the puck

MATEJ TOMAN
smart two-way game … good vision and hands … smooth skater … good slap shot … good on the forecheck … anticipates well … doesn’t panic

FINLAND

LEEVI AALTONEN
slick offensive play-maker … undersized but highly skilled … plays with his heart on his sleeve … excellent footwork … creative on the power play

IIVARI RÄSÄNEN
two-way defenceman … good first pass … likes to jump into the rush … plays with poise and confidence … strong hockey IQ … logs tons of minutes

ANTTI SAARELA
smart and gifted … very good offensive instincts … quality stick skills … good energy and effort … noticeable every shift … good on PP and PK

RUSSIA

DANIL GUSHCHIN
play-making forward … speedy and agile … excellent hands … good outside speed … sees the ice very well … quick release … drives the net hard

MATVEY GUSKOV
skilled centre … plays a 200-foot game … highly intelligent … high-end skills and physical tools … good character and work ethic … complete package

ARTEMII KNIAZEV
two-way defenceman … excellent skater … strong puck-mover … makes a good first pass … stands up at the blue-line … confidence in his mobility

SWEDEN

ALBIN GREWE
slick stickhandler … dangerous in the offensive end … plays a fast game … works hard every shift … deadly on the power play … makes things happen

NOEL GUNLER
thinks the game well … elite shot and release … goal-scoring instincts … likes to shoot the puck … has ability to find open space and create chances

VICTOR SÖDERSTRÖM
mobile two-way defenceman … smooth skater … good decisions in all three zones … not afraid to play physical … makes hard, accurate passes

UNITED STATES

JACK HUGHES
electrifying and dynamic player … has ability to be a difference-maker … very elusive … attacks lanes … always a step ahead … plays smart

SPENCER KNIGHT
solid butterfly goaltender … keeps his movements tight … explosive from side to side … plays with calmness … comminucates well … eats up rebounds

ALEX TURCOTTE
exciting to watch … plays at high speed and tempo … strong 200-foot game … constantly competing … strength to his stride … plays confident