Eyes on the future in Bonnyville

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