EASTERN CONFERENCE

WORLD JUNIOR TO WATCH

Center TRENT FREDERIC seems destined for a checking role in the NHL – the Bruins described him as a bottom-sixer when they drafted him – but he has consistently been a point-per-game player at NCAA Wisconsin. Team USA will want him to be a diligent performer in both ends.

CASEY MITTELSTADT was named Mr. Hockey as the top high school player in Minnesota and fsecnosreivde3t0ooplsoianstsfriens2h4mUanSHceLngtaemr aetsUlansitvesresaitsyono.fTMhiinsnyeesaor,tah,ea’sveornacgeinagganienasrlhyoawpinoginotffpehrisgoafm- e.

Playing for a struggling WHL Calgary team, defenseman JAKE BEAN could use the bump-up in peers at the WJC. As one of several Canadians eligible to return from last year’s silver medal squad, the smart and smooth puck-mover has one more shot at gold before he ages out.

ANDREW PEEKE will be in tough to earn a roster spot on Team USA’s blueline, but he’s making a case for himself. The Notre Dame sophomore was already halfway to his freshman point total (14) after just 12 games. His combination of size and two-way play make him a worthy candidate.

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN, drafted ninth overall in 2017, gives Canada size (6-foot-6, 220 pounds), physicality and a decent scoring touch (19 points in 16 games with WHL Tri-City). The center isn’t afraid to use his frame, going to the net and creating lunar eclipses in front of goalies.

The Panthers were not scared off by center ALEKSI HEPONIEMI’S size (5-foot-10) and it looks as though they might have a Johnny Gaudreau on their hands. His numbers with WHL Swift Current have been mind-boggling (54 points in 21 games). Finland will count heavily on him.

The Canadiens’ long and painful search for a big, talented center might come to an end with RYAN POEHLING, who continues to develop nicely with NCAA St. Cloud. He gives the U.S. a two-way presence who can win faceoffs, produce offense and shut down opposing star players.

Right winger JOEY ANDERSON won gold with Team USA last year, bringing weight to Clayton Keller’s wing. This year, at the World Junior Summer Showcase, the power forward with excellent scoring touch was paired up with Poehling, and the results were promising.

Since leaving Boston University for WHL Portland, sturdy sniper KIEFFER BELLOWS has been on fire. The key for the left winger is to maintain consistency. His best showing for the U.S. last year came in the gold medal game. They’ll need that version of Bellows to show up again.

Fans have been drooling over center FILIP CHYTIL since he went straight from the draft to the NHL. Chytil’s now putting up great numbers for AHL Hartford and will be a potent weapon for a Czech team that could surprise: he was part of their 2016 Ivan Hlinka tourney gold medal squad.

It was a shock when left winger ALEX FORMENTON made the Senators’ opening night roster. But Formenton, an 11th-round pick of OHL London in 2015, has made a habit of surprising. He’s the kind of guy who could start for Canada as the 13th forward and work his way up.

Center GERMAN RUBTSOV was dealt from QMJHL Chicoutimi to Acadie-Bathurst in November and immediately found chemistry with Anaheim pick Antoine Morand. His 2017 WJC was handicapped by injury, so the skilled but well-rounded scoring machine will be raring to go for Russia.

If Sweden is going to shed its ungainly streak of fourth-place finishes at the world juniors, FILIP GUSTAVSSON is going to be a big factor. The returning netminder uses size and positioning to steal games and he’s been solid in the Swedish League while playing backup minutes in Lulea.

Adam Foote’s son, CAL FOOTE, was born in Colorado but chose to represent Canada over the U.S. in international competition, and the Great White North appreciates the gesture. Foote is a thinking-man’s defenseman who reads the play well and is equally efficient in both ends.

Defenseman TIMOTHY LILJEGREN sustained an upper-body injury in the AHL in November, but it’s not expected to keep him off Sweden’s WJC roster. Liljegren has come as advertised, playing regularly as a pro at 18. He stood out at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

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