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?
NHL Central Scouting has selected three players from each of the five teams
competing in Bonnyville, Alta., that it believes are players to watch at
the 2018 World Junior A Challenge.
Who made the list?
CANADA EAST
ERIC CICCOLINI
high-end skill set … good offensive hockey sense … has puck-on-a-string
control … can see the ice at top speed … dynamic offensive threat … speed
and quickness are difference-makers
DEREK DICAIRE
small and skilled forward … strong on his skates … makes quick reads … can
beat you off the rush or in cycle game … generates scoring chances … strong
puck-possession game… can produce
DUSTYN MCFAUL
good quickness and mobility … uses skating strengths to elude pressure or
join the rush … composed under pressure … heads-up awareness … sees the ice
well … makes good first passes
CANADA WEST
LAYTON AHAC
smart, two-way defenceman … size and strength to play a physical game …
finds ways to contribute offensively … good awareness with the puck … makes
a solid first pass … very good vision
DYLAN HOLLOWAY
very strong skater … NHL-level speed … separates himself well from
defencemen … smart and quick with the puck … battles through traffic …
poised under pressure … firm, accurate shot
ALEX NEWHOOK
very good playmaker … strong on his skates … solid physical frame … strong
work ethic … a difference-maker every time he’s on the ice … speed and puck
control make him deadly off the rush
CZECH REPUBLIC
MATEJ BLUMEL
very good stickhandling ability … skilled winger … solid puck skills … very
good passing game … quick read-and-react game … good understanding of the
game … plays in all situations
MICHAL TEPLY
good mobility, speed and quickness … good hands … handles the puck well in
traffic … good puck pursuit on the forecheck … likes to take the puck to
the net … smart passer … quick release
TOMAS VOMACKA
butterfly goaltender with good size … excellent positional game … very good
on angles … quick and timely reactions … strong recovery skills … stays
calm under pressure … good focus
RUSSIA
DANIIL GUTIK
smart forward … good speed and quickness … very good hands as a playmaker …
sees the ice well … makes soft, accurate passes … patient with the puck …
impressive puck-control game
ILYA NIKOLAEV
hockey sense is strong suit … reads the play well … quick instincts … gets
pucks to the net … always willing to battle … responsible two-way player …
finds ways to contribute
VASILI PODKOLZIN
strong physical player … storms the net … advanced skating ability … soft
hands … extensive hockey sense … strong game on the puck … always a threat
to score … good attitude … consistent
UNITED STATES
BOBBY BRINK
skilled forward … fast with and without the puck … ultra quick release …
solid puck mover … smart around the net … quick hands and stick … very good
vision … consistent point producer
ROBERT MASTROSIMONE
natural goal scorer … very good hockey sense … finds ways to get open on
the attack … elite-level release … competes hard … good puck distributor …
difficult to defend for his size
RYAN O’REILLY
solid skater … very good speed off the wing … elusive with puck down low …
very good hands in traffic … takes puck to the net with authority … takes
hits to make plays … plays physical