players to watch feature

Eyes on the future in Truro

Players to watch at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge

NHL Central Scouting
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December 10, 2017
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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 six teams competing in Truro, N.S., that it believes are players to watch at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge.

Who made the list?

CANADA EAST

Nick Campoli
talented centre … makes players around him better … smart and hardworking … consistent on face-offs … high-end compete level … good offensive instincts

Ben Evans
top-end speed in flight … effective below the dots … good hockey sense … very good at keeping possession … uses size and strength well … sees the game well

Matthew Kellenberger
strong skater … uses skating to elude pressure in own zone … composed in pressure situations … heads-up awareness … handles the puck well at blue-line

CANADA WEST

Seth Barton
can play in all situations … has mobility and quickness … smart and patient with the puck … sees the ice well … moves the puck well out of his own zone

Brendan Budy
smart and skilled winger … hard to knock off the puck … makes plays under pressure … knows how to finish … responsible with and without the puck

Jonny Tychonick
has a dynamic offensive element … quick and elusive skater … ability to evade checking pressure … can lead the rush … has ability to make plays at top speed

CZECH REPUBLIC

Milan Kloucek
plays controlled and confident … good size to cover net … challenges square on angles … good reaction timing … strong recovery skills … very good instincts

Jachym Kondelik
strong and powerful … has mobility, speed and quickness … good playmaking ability … very good puck protection … good puck-pursuit game … plays smart

Dalimil Mikyska
stay-at-home defenceman … solid skater … strong on his skates … reads the game well … tough to beat one-on-one … provides a physical element … finishes hits

RUSSIA

Grigory Denisenko
very confident … strong with the puck … good in the corners … quick first steps … impressive hockey sense … effective getting to the net … protects the puck well

Ruslan Iskhakov
excellent skater … very good hands … not afraid to play against bigger opponents … highly skilled … reads the game very well … skating and skills make up for size

Nikita Rtishchev
impressive mobility … hard-working winger … very effective on the forecheck … above-average puck skills … unselfish player … leads by example … good shot

SWITZERLAND

Jeremi Gerber
power forward … strong skater … good drive to the net … utilizes size along boards and in corners … good one-on-one … good shot arsenal … makes things happen

Mika Henauer
under-sized offensive defenceman … plays big minutes … quick and agile … good puck skills … moves puck quickly and effectively … smart skater

Akira Schmid
covers the net well … mentally strong … plays with confidence … very good at tracking the puck … plays a butterfly style … limits rebounds … good positioning

UNITED STATES

Christian Krygier
good feet … makes crisp passes … good touch on short passes … heavy point shot … plays a firm game in all three zones … defends speed well

Blake McLaughlin
quick and elusive … solid puck mover … makes very good passes down low … quick release … finds teammates in all zones … effective in contact areas

Clayton Phillips
excellent skater … plays a dynamic game … very good awareness … creates scoring chances off the rush … makes a quick transition to offence

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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