WORLD JUNIOR TO WATCH
EASTERN CONFERENCE
During Team USA’s summer exhibition tourney, KIEFFER BELLOWS showed his scoring chops – which we already knew he had – and a robust physical game, which was a little more surprising. Being an NTDP alum, he knows what is expected of him. He can also make magic with Clayton Keller, if the latter is healthy.
It’s odd that talent-light Slovakia is stacked in net, but ADAM HUSKA is a great option for the team, though Flyers pick Matej Tomek will battle him for crease time. Huska averaged 35 saves per game through his first five appearances with UConn, and getting peppered in the NCAA will be good prep for the world juniors.
THOMAS CHABOT was a healthy scratch eight times and played seven minutes in his only game with the Sens before being sent to junior, but it didn’t affect his confidence. He hit the ground running back in Saint John, establishing himself as one of the QMJHL’s top defenseman, averaging two points per game in his first four games.
The Flyers promise to have several kids at the tourney, but FELIX SANDSTROM may end up playing the most important role. The Swedish netminder is the favorite to start for the Tre Kronor. Sandstrom gets square to the puck and plays seem to die with him. That’s great for the Swedes, who have the talent to go all the way.
Finnish players are stereotypically hard-working and gritty, which describes KASPER BJORKQVIST well. He’s the type of player who can kill penalties and play with great detail – good attributes for a short tournament. A freshman at Providence College, he is still finding his footing after missing the first five contests due to injury.
Many believe MITCHELL STEPHENS was underused for Team Canada last season, but if he keeps up his play he will be just what they need. Stephens is the kind of two-way center Canada loves to have, and he’s added an offensive dimension, averaging a point per contest so far this season with OHL Saginaw.
All JEREMY BRACCO has done at virtually every level is prodigiously create offense, but he’ll still need to prove doubters wrong in camp to crack Team USA. He’s on pace to top 100 points this year with OHL Kitchener. He had three goals and 13 points to help the Americans to the U-18 World Championship in 2015.
He was Russia’s best goalie in Helsinki, but now ILYA SAMSONOV will be in the pole position to begin with. The big netminder has been gaining reps in the KHL with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Samsonov has fared well against the older competition. Through his first seven decisions the teen had yet to record a regulation loss.