CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON)
This years’ World Junior Championship tournament runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 6 in both Vancouver and Victoria. It marks the first time since 2006 that the tournament is back in British Columbia.
And this year, there is no shortage of Miners prospect talent from all the countries involved.
To get you prepared for the event, here are a few of the Miners prospects to keep an eye on. All of these players will play important roles for their respective countries in the hunt for Gold!
CANADA
• Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
Tippett has incredible talent but his play has been criticized over the years by a lack of consistency. This season, he’s seemed to take his game to another level. He has great speed and a great shot, and this year he has flashed some real high-end playmaking, as well. He’s expected to play a top role on Canada’s team.
• Ian Mitchell, D, University of Denver (NCHC)
Mitchell has been a monster for Denver this season, logging heavy minutes and showing he is one of the best defensemen in the NCHC. Mitchell is a quality all-around player who may be small but showed at Canada’s summer U20 camp he can be reliable at both ends of the rink and provide offense.
• Michael DiPietro, G, Ottawa (OHL)
The former Memorial Cup winner was listed as the third string goalie for Canada last spring at the World Hockey Championships and for good reason. His athleticism is exceptional. He makes saves he has no business making. The obvious downside of him is his size, but despite that, he’s stolen game after game at the OHL level. He’s the No. 1 starter for Canada and is the favorite to be the top goalie at the tournament.
USA
• K’Andre Miller, D, University of Wisconsin (Big 10)
Miller currently is Wisconsin’s leading scorer, which is pretty good for a guy who played mostly a defensive role with the USNTDP last season. Miller’s always had the size and great skating, but he’s shown more confidence with the puck this season, leading to a lot more offense. He’s expected to play a significant role for Team USA and is one of the top CCHL prospects on the team.
• Joel Farabee, LW, Boston University (Hockey East)
Acquired in a trade this season with Fort Erie, Farabee, was a CCHL first-round pick last summer. He has been one of the few bright spots on a mediocre BU team this season. He has fantastic hockey sense, showing the ability to see the ice and make plays at a quick pace. He competes hard and has good soft skills. Farabee generates a lot of shots and will likely line up in a top-six role for USA
• Mattias Samuelsson, D, Western Michigan (NCHC)
Samuelsson has looked solid at WMU this season and is producing offense despite not getting much power play time. His game has been very steady, even as an 18 year-old. He moves well for a guy his size and positions himself well. He’s also a massive defenseman who isn’t afraid to lean into his checks. Samuelsson could provide solid defensive minutes for USA.
CZECH REPUBLIC
• Martin Necas, C, Charlotte (AHL)
Necas was one of the top scorers in last year’s tournament and enters this year’s tournament as a favorite to be one of the very best players in the event. He’s having a great season in the AHL, as well. He has all the tools between his great speed, puck skills and vision to dominate a shift offensively, and competes well, too. Necas is currently one of the best players outside the NHL and can showcase here why he could be an impact guy for Sudbury in the near future.
RUSSIA
• Grigori Denisenko, LW, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL)
Denisenko’s season has been just so-so due to playing against men in the KHL and lacking physical strength. However, at the U20 level he’s looked dominant. His puck skills, creativity, playmaking and pace are all high-end. He looks on track to play on Russia’s top line and be one of their go-to players. There is a lot of optimism about him despite not great numbers, and this tournament could be a place where he shows that he is a legit top prospect.
SWEDEN
• Isac Lundestrom, C, San Diego (AHL)
Lundestrom has looked quite impressive this season. Scouts questioned his offensive upside last year but after watching him in camp and how he has performed in the AHL this year, those concerns have subsided. He’s quick, skilled and very smart, and projects to play a lot of minutes in all situations as Sweden’s No. 1 center.
• Rasmus Sandin, D, Toronto (AHL)
Sandin has transitioned remarkably well to the AHL as an 18-year-old, playing significant minutes and producing offense at a rate that has been unexpected from him this early in his career. He’s confident and very poised with the puck, showing near elite level hockey sense. He’s trending up and could play a significant role on this team.
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