The 2018 World Juniors Tournament is underway as the competition sees final seedings and matchups clarify and we enter the "serious" half of the annual hockeyfest.
Here's an update on the Dayton Musicmen prospects and their performance so far:
FORWARDS:
CANADA:
Jonah Gadjovich (F) - 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, + 2 and 11 shots on goal. The second rounder taken by the Canucks and currently playing for Owen Sound in the OHL. Has had a strong tournament thus far. Engaged, smart with the puck is currently tied for 10th among all forwards in tournament scoring.
Taylor Raddysh (F) - 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, + 3 and 7 shots on goal is tied with Gadjovich in forward tournament scoring. Oozing with skill, this Tampa draftee has been leading the charge in Erie all season and is sure to be a key weapon as the tournament moves into its later stages.
Drake Batherson (F) - 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, +1 and 5 shots on goal so far. A mostly quiet tournament so far for the Ottawa Senators prospect, he's holding his own against international competition as well as other players from the rival Ontario Hockey League.
Michael McLeod (F) - 0 goal, 1 assist, 1 point, +2 and 1 shot on goal through 3 tournament games. A quiet stat line, but McLeod's skating and hockey smarts combined with a taste to avenge last year's loss to the Americans. The fans in New Jersey have a good one on the way.
UNITED STATES:
Patrick Harper (F) - 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, + 1 and 3 shots on goal. Similar to Batherson, Harper hasn't been one of the standouts so far, but the Boston University skater remains a weapon that can contribute meaningfully on a moment's notice.
Max Jones (F) - 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, +1 and a team second-best 11 shots on goal. Jones brings a reputation to the tourney of an undisciplined but talented player who - if he was able to play under control - could be a significant contributor to the USA attack. So far, the discipline is there.
FINLAND:
Aleksey Heponiemi (F) - 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, EVEN and 2 shots on goal. Finland's offense has scored just 3 goals through its first two games, and Heopniemi has one of them. Not much else to report ... so far...
DEFENSEMEN:
CANADA:
Cale Makar (D) - 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, +2 and 6 shots on goal in three games puts Makar tied for 3rd among all defensemen in the tournament so far. A pretty impressive toolset and the calmness I've read so much about is evident in this high profile tourney.
Dante Fabbro (D) 0 pts, -1 and 4 shots on goal. Limited time due to a lingering injury hasn't helped Fabbro's production. Doesn't seem out of place, but not one of the big dogs just yet for Team Canada.
GOALIES:
UNITED STATES:
Joseph Woll (G) - Stopped 39 of 42 shots on goal through two games. Woll has been solid and if the USA Blueline steps up its game, he will likely shine even brighter. Surrendering the net to teammate Jake Oettinger produced mixed results. Team USA won the critical game against Canada in a shootout, but Oettinger's numbers (19 of 22 shots saved, and a .864 save percentage vs. Woll's save percentage of .929. suggests we'll see Woll, a Maple Leafs prospect, again in this tournament.
FINLAND:
Ukko - Pekka Luukkonnen (G) - Allowing 5 goals in just two games at this level isn't going to excite many Finns but his upside is still major. Finland doesn't seem to have the horses to keep up with Canada and the US, although the game vs. the Canadians was closer than it could have been.
SWEDEN:
Olle - Eriksson Ek (G) - Just 18, Ek hasn't seen any game action yet and may not. This experience is more about preparing him for the next few years when he's expected to capture the #1 job in nets for the Swedes.
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