Who will be looked upon in the dying minutes of a tie game? Who will be counted upon to provide leadership on the long road to a national title? Who will make the key pass? Score the big goal? Make the huge save?
International Scouting Services has selected three players from each of the eight teams competing in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, B.C., that it believes are players to watch at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Who made the list?
CANADA BLACK
SHANE BOWERS gifted offensive player … natural instincts … makes good decisions at top speed … powerful skater … creates separation with defencemen … plays a 200-foot game … skilled puck-handler … soft hands
DAVID LEVIN crafty … slick passing skills … very good offensive instincts … finesse player … very good skater … natural play-maker … excellent hockey sense … excels on the power play … tricky stick
JOSEPH VELENO scoring threat whenever he is on the ice … makes his linemates better … sees the ice extremely well … elite play-making ability … intelligent, creative player … can make something out of nothing
CANADA RED
JORDAN BELLERIVE pro release … speedy … pure goal scorer … undersized but strong … excellent speed … quick and agile … not afraid to play physical … can play the point on the power play … uses his teammates well
MAXIME COMTOIS skilled power forward … goal-scoring ability … competes hard … plays with size and strength … finishes his checks … gets into scoring positions … soft hands … handles the puck well in traffic
ANTOINE MORAND very good passer … good offensive instincts … always a threat to score … top-end puck skills … very good skater … exceptional hockey IQ … vision is off the charts … does not shy away from traffic
CANADA WHITE
RYAN MCLEOD excellent vision … soft hands … plays in all situations … good size … has skills and smarts … good one-on-one skills … very good hockey sense … plays with grit … aware of defensive responsibilities
IAN SCOTT very good size … tremendous technique … plays angles well … aggressive on pass-outs … tracks the puck consistently … good puck handler … controls rebounds … communicates with defencemen
GABE VILARDI pro potential … big power forward with skill … sniper with quick release … superb hands … very good stick-handling skills … creates space with his size … creates space for teammates … smart player
CZECH REPUBLIC
MARTIN NECAS offensive forward … quick legs … good skater … very good hands … sees the ice well … creates space and scoring chances for teammates … good wrist shot … likes to have the puck on his stick
OSTAP SAFIN complete package … always a threat to score … very good size … strong on his skates … tremendous foot speed … stands out with puck skills … long reach … moves well with the puck … pro shot
FILIP ZADINA high-level shot and puck skills … makes good use of his body … very good puck skills … good scoring touch … likes to drive the net … strong wrist shot … competes hard … good hockey sense
FINLAND
MIRO HEISKANEN smooth-skating defenceman … good offensive skills … very good puck handler … dangerous in transition … likes to join the rush … smart and timely defensively … plays big minutes … quick stick
EERO TERÄVÄINEN two-way defenceman … high hockey IQ in all three zones … very good mobility … makes a strong first pass … smooth stride … effective with the puck … provides offence from the blue-line … good vision
KRISTIAN VESALAINEN big, offensive winger … excellent skater … plays a 200-foot game … plus vision … above-average puck possession skills … defensively reliable … very good work ethic … deceptive release
RUSSIA
ALEKSANDER ALEXEEV offensive-minded defenceman … plays with intelligence … very good on the power play … elite-level wrist shot … explosive feet … good puck mover … plus-level vision … confident with the puck
DMITRI SAMORUKOV jack-of-all-trades defenceman … strong … stand-out skater … very good hockey sense … plays in all situations … quick, active stick … reads the play well on both sides of the puck … makes crisp passes
ANDREI SVECHNIKOV explosive offensive threat … plays at a high tempo … noticeable confidence … dangerous on the power play … rifle of a shot from wing or high slot … makes plays at top speed … plays best with the puck
SWEDEN
OLLE ERIKSSON EK good anticipation … plays a mix of styles … good use of stick … great reflexes … excellent competitor … plays his best when the game is on the line … plays with confidence … sees the puck very well
RICKARD HUGG excellent two-way, 200-foot game …very good work ethic … good hockey sense … very good puck handler … skates well with the puck … strong along the boards … makes players around him better
ISAC LUNDESTRÖM play-making centre … excellent vision … soft hands … complete player … protects the puck well … can play in traffic … very good skater … strong on the puck … creates space for his linemates … smart
UNITED STATES
MAX GILDON two-way defenceman … smooth skater … ability to handle the puck … makes good decisions with and without the puck … sees the ice well … solid in his own zone … strong one-on-one defence
JOSH MANISCALCO good offensive instincts … long and powerful stride … heavy shot from the point … plays with a physical edge … not afraid to get involved offensively, but defensively responsible … sees the ice well
BRADY TKACHUK power forward with skill … excellent scoring and play-making skills … patient with the puck … great shot … intense and competitive … always in good position … very good hockey sense … shoots a lot