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