Czech Republic Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — The Czech Republic produced a consistent effort in placing second in the tournament, with a competitive loss in the opener to the United States its lone blemish. The Czechs were headed for a second defeat in as many days when they found themselves trailing Finland 2-0 after 40 minutes. But a two-man advantage  midway through the final frame began a late rally, as center Kristian Reichel (pictured) and left wing Petr Kodytek scored power play goals 67 seconds apart, and left wing David Kvasnicka netted the game winner five minutes later in what turned out to be a 4-2 win. Reichel was the hero the following night, as his late game winning goal with the man advantage allowed the tired Czechs to edge Sweden, 2-1. They closed the tournament with a convincing 6-2 triumph over the host Swiss, with Reichel potting his team-best fourth goal and firing 11 shots on  net. Goalie Dominik Groh won the final two games for the Czech Republic, and defenseman Lukas Doudera finished in scoring among blueliners with a goal and five assists in four games. Fellow blueliner Frantisek Hrdinka chipped in with a pair of assists, including one on the power play.

Sweden Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — Sweden sent a rather inexperienced team to Monthey, with six players not draft eligible until 2017, and their two top U18 forwards — SHL rookies Carl Grundstrom and Rasmus Asplund — in Finland at the U20 Four Nations. You can argue that Sweden was just a bounce or two away from going a perfect 4-0, with their losses to both the United States and the Czech Republic coming via late-period game winners. The Swedes ended the competition on a high note with a convincing 5-1 rout of rival Finland, with 17-year-old right wing Lias Andersson leading the way with two goals and an assist. Andersson tied with center Oskar Steen (pictured) for the team lead with six points in four games, and left wing Jesper Bratt produced two goals, two assists and 15 shots. The duo of Filip Gustavsson and Filip Larsson each went 1-1 with 50+ shots faced.

Finland Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — Finland was easily the competition’s most disappointing in terms of what was expected and what actually happened. While the Finns’ Under-18 talent pool was hit hard by both North American defections (Olli Juolevi, Markus Niemelainen, Oliver Felixson, Otto Somppi), and the U20 Four Nations inundating their two best amateur players — Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi, they can still ice very competitive amateurs. What happened in Momthey, however, was disconcerting to say the least, and not for the losing, but the manner in which Finland lost. In four games, the Finns were outshout 170-111, and surrendered 45 shots or more in all three of their losses en rout to finishing a paltry 1-3. Their lone victory came at the expense of winless Switzerland, which Finland hammered 8-3. Not all news was bad, however, as 2016 draft eligibles Otto Makinen (pictured – nine points, plus-5) and Janne Kuokkanen (five points, plus-4), and 2017 draft prospect Emil Oksanen (seven points) worked together to help their country depart Monthey with a little bit of dignity. And from the “Nobody Ever Said Life Is Fair” department — goalie Severi Isokangas posted .910 save percentage and a 6.37 goals against average.

Switzerland Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — Not much was expected out of the host nation’s submission for this annual tournament, and Switzerland found itself winless and in last place when it was completed. Saying the Swiss were completely overwhelmed is the best way to describe their effort, and the 49 to 22 average shot disadvantage should in itself be enough to validate it. Their uphill climb from the opening whistle of play was likely a byproduct of not having the horses to contain, and the best way we can put a positive spin on a being outscored by a four to one margin is that goalies Leo Chuard and Andrin Seifert were given plenty of opportunities to work on any of several puck-stopping techniques they wanted. Both center Marco Miranda (pictured) and left wing Dominik Volejnicek did their best to generate chances by making whatever little they had, and left wing Kaj Suter led the way with 13 shots on goal. Defenseman Livio Stadler, who earlier in the season was promoted up the NLA senior league, failed to produce and point and tied for a team-worst minus-seven.

Sweden Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Tampere, Finland (The Draft Analyst) — The team with the most recognizable names belonged to Sweden, which boasted a roster 75 percent comprised of recent NHL draft picks. But as we all know, games are won on the ice, where the opposing team has a say too. A solid effort in the opening match with Russia went for naught, as the Swedes controlled play but paid the price for not building on a pair of one-goal leads before ultimately losing in overtime, 3-2. They bounced back with a 6-0 rout of the Czech Republic, but the game may have been a lot closer had it not been for Lukes’ shaky play in the Czech goal. The most notable aspect of the Swedes’ game was their ability to make the Czechs pay for every mistake made following heavy pressure on the forecheck. The likes of Robin Kovacs, Jens Looke and Anton Karlsson used their speed in conjunction with Sweden’s air-tight zone coverage to force Czech defenders into moving the puck through the middle of the ice, where it was routinely picked off and fired on goal by active blueliners like Gustav Forsling and Sebastian Aho. Goalie Linus Soderstrom was solid in net, showing excellent side-to-side quickness and recovery during a hectic opening frame which the Czechs spent the duration in the Swedish end. Kovacs, the New York Rangers’ draft pick who scored a crucial goal in a comeback win over the Czech Republic in last August’s Four Nations, turned the game into a laugher with a pair of highlight-reel goals.

The Swedes want to beat Finland more than any opponent, and the fact that the final game of the competition pitted the two rivals was not lost in the hoopla surrounding the elite amateurs who participated. Sweden, however, may have been lulled by Finland’s game of possum during the first 20 minutes until wunderkinder Puljujarvi and Laine changed the game’s complexion with one-timers past goalie Erik Kallgren. The 4-1 loss was disappointing to say the least, as a victory would have not only won Sweden the tournament, but accomplished in front of their rivals’ home crowd.

The names Sweden provided for the Tampere tournament resembled a WJC roster more so than any of their three opponents, which explains the subtle disappointment among Swedish hockey circles. But to be fair, the Four Nations is generally a pre-WJC tune-up used more for assessment purposes over bragging and boasting. Two 2016 draft eligibles – center Rasmus Asplund and right wing Carl Grundstrom – played well in defense-oriented roles, with Asplund dominating on draws at a 71 percent clip.

Top Forward: Kovacs has blossomed into a lethal top-line threat, producing a tournament-best three goals and tying Holmstrom for the scoring lead with four points in three games. In a possession-crazed world, Kovacs is most certainly a driver, and his high shot totals are more indicative of a smart winger who knows how to elude defenders and get his stick at the ready. We think he’s a lock for the World Juniors, and his recent SHL promotion from the Allsvenskan shows the Four Nations was far from a fluke. His hard work and improved shot selection has obviously paid off.

Top Defenseman: Adam Ollas Mattson may not have torched the score sheet (zero points in three games), but he was the most active and reliable Swede on the back end. Selected by Calgary in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, Ollas Mattson is slowly taking chances in the offensive zone in an attempt to be a well-rounded defenseman and shed a reputation of only being a stay-at-home type. He’s a big kid (6’4 / 210 lbs) who did not display an proclivity for north-south mobility, but he was very active and kept his feet moving during play in the opposing end, where he even dropped down into the slot for scoring opportunities.

Czech Republic Team Roster / Player Stats/ Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Tampere, Finland (The Draft Analyst) — The Czech Republic entered the fall installment of the Four Nations’ tournament much like the way they began the one in August – without their top players who were committed to North America. The Czechs opened the competition with a 3-2 loss to Finland in a game they led by a goal after 40 minutes and were seemingly in control of until a costly tripping call on defenseman Jan Skotka before the midway point of the third period. Finnish star Jesse Puljujarvi then burst through a matador defense on an end-to-end rush for the tying score, and Roope Hintz scored the eventual game winner a few minutes later after he won a 50/50 battle against undersized defenseman David Skelnicka, and danced around defenseman Filip Hronek’s half-hearted check before beating goalie Karel Vejmelka on the long side.

Their effort in a 6-0 loss to Sweden the following night was not poor by any means, as backup goalie Stepan Lukes was absolutely putrid in being directly responsible for all six goals against. The Czechs dominated the first 20 minutes, outshooting the Swedes 14-7 and receiving quality chances from the likes of right wing Vit Christov, who schooled veteran defenseman Gustav Forsling in a one-on-one situation that led to a partial breakaway. Hronek spearheaded the Czech power play, which went 0-for-3 in the first period but had several good looks on Swedish netminder Linus Soderstrom. Lukes, however, could not get into any sort of rhythm, and the Swedes took advantage of poor rebound control, poor positioning and what seemed like an overall lack of awareness. The Czechs did however outshoot Sweden 30-20 over the final 40 minutes, led by the dynamic top-line play of Chomutov wingers Radek Vesely and David Kase, who flanked center Dominik Lakatos.

The Czech Republic won their final match of the tournament – a 3-2 win over Russia in which the Czechs found themselves trailing early and killing a four-minute power play late. A key step-up by Skelnicka following a successful kill sprung the speedy Vesely, who walked in alone and beat Alex Georgiev to knot the score. Defenseman Alex Rasner drove the play on the tiebreaking score after he rushed up the ice and shot the puck on goal, and Hronek’s bomb off the rebound was kicked over to Lakatos for the tap-in. The Czechs sealed the win on a pretty tic-tac-toe goal set up by both Kase and Hronek, and finished by center David Tomasek.

Top Forward: Vesely was hard to contain in any of the three matches and displayed a hunter’s mentality during opposing breakouts. A double-overager in terms of draft eligibility, the 6’1 Vesely also produced at the summer Four Nations in Russia and was invited to the WJC camp in Calgary. He may not be a top line option for the U20 squad come December in Helsinki, but his speed and finishing ability makes him a good depth option for what should be a balanced Czech roster.

Top Defenseman: Hronek, a late-1997 puck mover with a cannon of a shot, displayed a fine touch and razor-sharp instincts while utilizing jukes, dekes and head fakes to open clogged passing and shooting lanes. Hronek displayed a lot of flash, even no-looking a perfect feed through a maze of sticks to set up the eventual game winner against Russia. Yes, he had trouble dealing with the bigger, older forwards on the attack, but he did try his best to play physical and use his body to separate them from the puck. His set-ups on the power play are excellent; he lays the puck flat and in perfect position for either a one-timer or touch pass. He may not have performed well enough to make the World Junior club, but he’s still one of the better offensive-minded blueliners the Czechs will offer at the Entry Draft in June.

Russia Team Roster / Player Stats/ Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Tampere, Finland (The Draft Analyst) — We don’t like to mince words, so saying Russia displayed one of its worst U20 performances of any kind for quite a while should be enough. And though some may say it’s an unfair judgment when you consider the lineup was impacted by the concurrent Canadian Hockey League’s Canada-Russia series, a lineup with names like Denis Guraynov, Kirill Kaprizov, Ilya Samsonov and Mikhail Vorobyov should have produced far better results than the 1-2 record which is actually a misrepresentation of how un-Russian like their effort was.

The tournament began well with a surprising 3-2 overtime win over Sweden, with talented forward Artem Zhelezkov tying the score late in the third before 6’3 bruiser Yegor Korshkov won it in the extra session. The Russians were lucky to walk away with a victory, as the Swedes and their arsenal of NHL draft picks held their opponents to only 16 shots on goal. The lackluster play exhibited in the win over Sweden caught up with Russia the following night against host Finland, as Washington Capitals 2015 first round pick Ilya Samsonov faced a barrage of shots, especially with his team shorthanded in what ended as a 2-0 loss. For all its problems dealing with the quicker Finns, Russia almost took the lead late in the first when Korshkov was rewarded a penalty shot. But Emil Larmi didn’t fall for Korshkov’s backhand-forehand deke, keeping the game scoreless until the second, when Samsonov let in a questionable goal from an unscreened, blue line snap shot.

Their finale against the Czech Republic began well, with Zhelezkov bombing down the left wings boards and ripping a shot past Karel Vejmelka for Russia’s first lead in regulation of the tournament. But sloppy passing on the power play and an addiction to dump-and-chase hockey simply presented the Czechs with the opportunity to seize the initiative, which they beginning with a late goal in the first period. Center German Rubstov — a possible first round pick in the 2016 NHL draft — and winger Kirill Kaprizov showcased chemistry throughout the match, with Rubtsov winning a team-high 50 percent of his draws. But both the match and the tournament as a whole has to be considered a significant disappointment.

Top Forward: Zhelezkov showed a lot of fight and smarts, playing much bigger than his 5’11 frame may indicate. He took the puck to the net on the rush, but also did not shy away from the more difficult areas near the net. He was not on the roster for the U20 Four Nations back in August, when Russia was the host country. But a promotion to the KHL’s Magnitogorsk Metallurg has obviously helped this double overager in terms of confidence and thinking the game one and two plays ahead. The problem for Zhelezkov is that Russia has too many forwards of his ilk, so it may be too late for his Four Nations’ performance to earn a job at the WJC’s.

Top Defenseman: The group had a tough time dealing with speed headed their way, and too many of their passes were telegraphed. And even though they were hemmed in their own end without displaying much creativity in eluding pressure, the play of former Chicoutimi blueliner Nikita Lyamkin was relatively calming (horrid singular turnovers against the Czechs and Swedes, notwithstanding). He’s also a double overager who’s in his last year of draft eligibility, and was the 21st overall pick in the 2013 CHL Import Draft. The two years the 6’4 defender essentially spent as a pylon in the QMJHL must have helped him identify what used to be major deficiencies, although he’s still extremely raw.

Czech Republic Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — The Czech Republic produced a consistent effort in placing second in the tournament, with a competitive loss in the opener to the United States its lone blemish. The Czechs were headed for a second defeat in as many days when they found themselves trailing Finland 2-0 after 40 minutes. But a two-man advantage  midway through the final frame began a late rally, as center Kristian Reichel (pictured) and left wing Petr Kodytek scored power play goals 67 seconds apart, and left wing David Kvasnicka netted the game winner five minutes later in what turned out to be a 4-2 win. Reichel was the hero the following night, as his late game winning goal with the man advantage allowed the tired Czechs to edge Sweden, 2-1. They closed the tournament with a convincing 6-2 triumph over the host Swiss, with Reichel potting his team-best fourth goal and firing 11 shots on  net. Goalie Dominik Groh won the final two games for the Czech Republic, and defenseman Lukas Doudera finished in scoring among blueliners with a goal and five assists in four games. Fellow blueliner Frantisek Hrdinka chipped in with a pair of assists, including one on the power play.

Sweden Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — Sweden sent a rather inexperienced team to Monthey, with six players not draft eligible until 2017, and their two top U18 forwards — SHL rookies Carl Grundstrom and Rasmus Asplund — in Finland at the U20 Four Nations. You can argue that Sweden was just a bounce or two away from going a perfect 4-0, with their losses to both the United States and the Czech Republic coming via late-period game winners. The Swedes ended the competition on a high note with a convincing 5-1 rout of rival Finland, with 17-year-old right wing Lias Andersson leading the way with two goals and an assist. Andersson tied with center Oskar Steen (pictured) for the team lead with six points in four games, and left wing Jesper Bratt produced two goals, two assists and 15 shots. The duo of Filip Gustavsson and Filip Larsson each went 1-1 with 50+ shots faced.

Finland Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — Finland was easily the competition’s most disappointing in terms of what was expected and what actually happened. While the Finns’ Under-18 talent pool was hit hard by both North American defections (Olli Juolevi, Markus Niemelainen, Oliver Felixson, Otto Somppi), and the U20 Four Nations inundating their two best amateur players — Patrik Laine and Jesse Puljujarvi, they can still ice very competitive amateurs. What happened in Momthey, however, was disconcerting to say the least, and not for the losing, but the manner in which Finland lost. In four games, the Finns were outshout 170-111, and surrendered 45 shots or more in all three of their losses en rout to finishing a paltry 1-3. Their lone victory came at the expense of winless Switzerland, which Finland hammered 8-3. Not all news was bad, however, as 2016 draft eligibles Otto Makinen (pictured – nine points, plus-5) and Janne Kuokkanen (five points, plus-4), and 2017 draft prospect Emil Oksanen (seven points) worked together to help their country depart Monthey with a little bit of dignity. And from the “Nobody Ever Said Life Is Fair” department — goalie Severi Isokangas posted .910 save percentage and a 6.37 goals against average.

Switzerland Team Roster / Player Stats / Tournament Scoring Leaders / Tournament Goalie Leaders

Monthey, Switzerland (The Draft Analyst) — Not much was expected out of the host nation’s submission for this annual tournament, and Switzerland found itself winless and in last place when it was completed. Saying the Swiss were completely overwhelmed is the best way to describe their effort, and the 49 to 22 average shot disadvantage should in itself be enough to validate it. Their uphill climb from the opening whistle of play was likely a byproduct of not having the horses to contain, and the best way we can put a positive spin on a being outscored by a four to one margin is that goalies Leo Chuard and Andrin Seifert were given plenty of opportunities to work on any of several puck-stopping techniques they wanted. Both center Marco Miranda (pictured) and left wing Dominik Volejnicek did their best to generate chances by making whatever little they had, and left wing Kaj Suter led the way with 13 shots on goal. Defenseman Livio Stadler, who earlier in the season was promoted up the NLA senior league, failed to produce and point and tied for a team-worst minus-seven.

The Draft Analyst — The QMJHL players may have looked stunned and in disbelief after losing 3-2 to the Russian on November 17th in Rouyn-Noranda, but it certainly was not from a lack of effort. The Quebec Leaguers pressed and attacked from start to finish, making Russia look very much like the tired team people expected them to resemble. But a seeing-eyed shot from the point early into the game, and a weak wrister from the left circle later on in the period, eluded goalie Samuel Montembeault (Florida) to give Russia a surprising 2-0 lead late in the opening stanza. Team QMJHL battled back to tie the score on a late goal from Anthony Richard (Nashville) in the first period, followed by a second-period strike from Nicolas Roy which was set up masterfully on the power play by quarterback and 2016 first-year draft eligible Samuel Girard. The game only remained tied for just under three minutes, however, as right wing Arkhip Nekolenko stripped the puck away from an overzealous Girard and lofted a pop fly to a streaking Artur Lauta, who rushed down the right wing and snapped one high over Montembeault’s exposed glove side to give Russia the lead for good. Truthfully, the QMJHL deserved a better outcome, as they were crisp with their plays and aggressive in all three zones while outshooting the Russians, 33-20. The play of 2016 draft prospect Julien Gauthier was significant in that he showcased an arsenal of ways to beat you. And although he did not factor in the scoring, he displayed the kind of tenacity and hockey sense which can make one think the ease of his ways means he’s simply a man amongst boys.

Game Two began as a disaster for the Russians, as Bruins draftee Jeremy Lauzon hammered one in off a clean faceoff win for a 1-0 lead just three minutes in. Gauthier was stopped on a clean breakaway by Maxim Trushkov, but right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel, a Flyers draft pick in 2014, one-timed a cross-ice feed from Ottawa Senators’ prospect Francis Perron to up the QMJHL’s advantage to 2-0. A goal by Mathieu Joseph (Tampa Bay) ended Trushkov’s evening, and Anthony Beauvillier (New York Islanders) greeted Tretiak with a stoppable shot from the left circle the latter simply whiffed on as the Q’s lead ballooned to 4-0. Russia would battle back, however, as the line of Yakov Trenin (Nashville), Evgeny Svechnikov (Detroit) and QMJHL star Evgeny Lazarev (2016 eligible) created a pair of goals for Svechnikov which made the game close. Lauta buried his third of the tournament off a draw to make it 4-3 after 40 minutes, but Team QMJHL responded with markers from Nicolas Meloche (Colorado) and Joseph again to close out a 6-4 win and help salvage a split with Russia.

The Draft Analyst — The Ontario Hockey League continued its Super Series dominance over Russia with a pair of hard-fought victories over an opponent who performed far better in Ontario than they had previously displayed a few days earlier in Western Canada. Still, neutralizing the kind of talent the OHL presented in either of the two contests would pose a daunting task for almost any roster, and it took Kingston left wing and Los Angeles Kings’ draftee Spencer Watson only 34 seconds to put the OHL out in front for good. Erie center Dylan Strome (Arizona) was assertive the entire match, using his elite awareness and hockey sense to continuously create plays. His wrist shot from the right circle off an odd-man rush zipped past a helpless Maxim Tretiak with just seconds remaining in the opening period to give the OHL a 2-0 lead. Watson closed out the scoring with another goal in the late stages of a period, banging home a rebound with 20 ticks left in the second to give the OHL a 3-0 bulge heading into the final 20 minutes. Barrie goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, a Devils draft pick, stopped 25 shots for the shutout.

The OHL had a tougher time in their second and final game with Russia, which took a 1-0 lead  before the midway point of the first period on a power play goal from right wing Kirill Pilipenko. The skilled winger showed great hands and coordination when he banged home a hard centering feed from center Daniil Vovchenko during a 5-on-3. Team OHL would dictate play for the remainder of the contest, beginning with a hard-working goal 2016 draft eligible winger Jordan Kyrou, who was relentless on the forecheck to force a turnover and backhand a feed to defenseman Kyle Capobianco (Arizona) for a shot which was kicked out to the slot for Kyrou to slam home and tie the score 1-1. Watson scored the eventual game winner on the power play a few minutes later, taking a feed from Mitch Marner (Toronto) in a congested slot and snapping one past Alexander Trushkov for a 2-1 lead.

The OHL’s rosters for both games were top heavy on experience, so 2016 draft eligibles Taylor Raddysh (Erie), and Mississauga’s duo of Mike McLeod and Nate Bastian were relegated to fourth line duty in Game One against Russia. And while all three didn’t register a point in what was their lone appearance in the tournament, the physical trio made the most of their limited ice time by grinding down the Russians with a hard and heavy forecheck; especially Bastian, who along with Raddysh flanked the playmaking McLeod. All three will likely be picked within the top 50 or so picks in the NHL Entry Draft, with McLeod a potential lottery pick.

In terms of 2016 draft prospects involved in the second game, the likes of the aforementioned Kyrou, Flint center Will Bitten,  and defensemen Victor Mete (London) and Jakob Chychrun (Sarnia), the latter being considered as the top defenseman available for the 2016 Entry Draft. All four played with a sense of urgency since minutes on such a deep roster were scarce, but only the forwards provided an impact with a handful of their respective shifts. Both Mete and Chychrun looked to play it safe, which from a defensive standpoint is all you could ask out of a first-year draft eligible on a veteran roster.

Russian 2016 Draft Prospects (CHL Super Series)

RW ARTUR LAUTA (Omsk Avangard, KHL): Lauta was more of a role player for the National Team at the summer U20 Four Nations, but in Canada he elevated his game to that of a top-line performer, scoring three goals in six games. He’s very much a double-overager (February, 1996), and his KHL stats the last two seasons resemble those of a newcomer (one goal in 26 career games). But he’s got great work ethic and leadership abilities, and skates well for someone who you might mistake for a plugger. At 6’0, 190 pounds and experience against older competition, Lauta is a name we wouldn’t be surprised to hear called out in the later rounds on draft day.

LW MAXIM LAZAREV (Cape Brenton, QMJHL): Another double-overager who was surprisingly passed over despite a very productive season last year, and being the third overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. Lazarev is a highly-skilled playmaker with a bag full of moves to keep you interested. He’s been playing on a line in Cape Brenton with Detroit 2015 first round pick Evgeny Svechnikov and possible 2016 lottery pick Pierre-Luc Dubois, and through late November was one of the top scorers in the league. Lazarev has been plagued by injuries, but it would be rather puzzling if he is passed over a third straight year. He only appeared in two games – both against the QMJHL, with a three-assist effort in Russia’s lone win of the six-game series.

C ANDREI SVETLAKOV (CSKA Moscow, KHL): 1996-born puck wizard who appeared in all six games and finished with a team high three assists and four points. He was Russia’s most consistent forward, and from a matchup standpoint drew the bulk of the CHL’s top pairings. He took a nasty cross check to the face from Guillaume Brisbois in the second period of the 6-4 loss to the QMJHL in the finale, but came back without incident.

RW KIRILL PILIPENKO (Dynamo Moscow, KHL): One of Russia’s top under-20 goal scorers not playing in North America who didn’t have as strong a tournament as we thought he would, but still managed to score two goals on only three shots in five games, with his lone stopped shot coming on a breakaway save by Mackenzie Blackwood in a Game Three loss to the OHL. He’s a very tricky forward who may not have explosive moves, but his second gear is enough to catch a retreating defender off balance. He even sold a seemingly harmless hit from Francis Perron in the final QMJHL match into a power play. Pilipenko was invited to last year’s tryout camp for the same competition but failed to make the roster. Barring injury, he’s a strong candidate for the World Junior squad.

G MAXIM TRETIAK (Chekhov, VHL): We all know the background; he’s the grandson of Soviet legend Vladislav Tretiak who obvioulsy has big shoes to fill. He’s got a pro-goalie’s build (6’3/220 lbs), but his reaction time and positioning are painfully slow. Both he and Alexander Trushkov split the time between the pipes, but it was because neither would play well enough to wrestle away the lion’s share of minutes. We viewed him as a legit NHL prospect last summer, which might as well be 10 years ago when you consider how bad a year he’s had. He’s got a late-1996 birthday so he won’t lose draft eligibility until after next season. Don’t bet on seeing him in Helsinki for the WJC’s unless he’s got a ticket in the lower bowl.