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Players to Watch at The 2011 World Junior A Challenge

WJAC.007.11
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November 7, 2011
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Who will provide the offence? 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 gold?

International Scouting Services has selected three players from each of the six competing teams that it believes are WJAC Players to Watch. Who made the list?

CANADA EAST

Drake Caggiula
dynamic goal scorer ... knack for finding loose pucks ... can finish from anywhere ... great skater ... ability to beat defenders outside with speed ... elusive ... excels physically ... leads by example ... energy player

Daniel Milne
superb playmaking abilities ... very composed with the puck ... can find teammates through traffic ... makes heads up decisions ... excellent creativity ... uses teammates well ... willing to go to dirty areas

Devin Shore
elite playmaker ... tremendous vision ... makes his linemates better ... thinks game extremely well ... makes good decisions ... reads the play well ... tremendous hockey sense ... threat every time on the ice

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CANADA WEST

Rhett Holland
rough and tumble defenceman ... likes to play physical ... aggressive and intimidating in his own end ... very good lane control ... tough to beat 1-on-1 ... good shot-blocking ability ... returnee for Canada West

Sam Jardine
intelligent two-way defenceman ... good offensive upside ... very good point shot ... strong instincts around the puck ... good anticipation ... sixth-round pick of Chicago in 2011 NHL draft ... returnee for Canada West

Luke Juha
intelligent defenceman ... good puck mover ... offensive centrepiece from back end ... very good vision ... loves to jump into play ... excellent ability to quarterback power play ... hard shot ... great passer

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CZECH REPUBLIC

Marek Langhamer
makes himself big in goal ... strong positional play ... solid overall technique ... focuses well ... tracks puck very well in traffic ... quick and effective glove hand ... smart goaltender ... good rebound control

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RUSSIA

Egor Malenkikh
great size ... good mobility ... good skater for player his size ... play in all situations ... power play quarterback ... doesn’t over do it with the puck ... makes smart decisions ... physical defenceman ... good shot

Valeri Nichushkin
a sniper ... great size ... excellent IQ with the puck ... tremendous offensive abilities ... as good as they come ... very exciting player ... explosive quickness in feet and hands ... “next big thing” from Russia

Andrei Vasilevski
consistent goaltender ... few flaws ... great glove hand ... athletic ... very competitive ... smooth lateral movements ... recovers well ... rarely out of position ... has played in big games ... confident

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SWEDEN

Ludvig Bystrom
strong and mobile defenceman ... poised with the puck ... plays a solid two-way game ... smart and consistent defender ... holds a good gap ...  committed to denying space against the rush ... plays in Elitserien

Oscar Dansk
athletic goaltender ... competes hard ... stays focused ... moves very well ... quick reflexes, particularly with glove ... active stick against net drives ... can steal games ... excellent concentration on the puck

Elias Lindholm
good size ... goal-scoring centre ... comfortable playing above his age group ... not afraid to play in dirty areas ... great offensive instincts ... plays a strong, two-way game ... good passer ... creates space for linemates

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UNITED STATES

Vince Hinostroza
ability to be a human highlight reel ... tremendous skater ... elusive and creative skill set ... high offensive upside ... finds open space on the ice ... hard, accurate shot ... sees the ice well ... slick hands

Mario Lucia
skilled, offensive-minded forward ... tons of tools to rely on ... very unselfish ... smart playmaker ... high hockey IQ ... deceptive quickness in hands and feet ... second-round pick of Minnesota in 2011 NHL draft

Jordan Schmaltz
deceptive and instinctual  ... offensive defenceman ... poised with the puck ... tremendous vision ... bomb from the point ... good skater ... has ability to quarterback power play ... returnee for United States!

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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