Eyes on the future in Bonnyville

Set-up men to shutdown defencemen, goal scorers to goaltenders; who are the WJAC Players to Watch?

NHL Central Scouting

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?

NHL Central Scouting has selected three players from each of the six teams competing in Bonnyville, Alta., that it believes are players to watch at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge.

Who made the list?

CANADA EAST

CAMERON CROTTY
mobile defenceman … a factor at both ends of the ice … quick and accurate point shot … dictates pace of play … decisive puck-mover … takes away time and space effectively

LUKE KEENAN
strong 200-foot player … good leadership qualities … consistent offensive threat … good hockey sense … effective play-maker … quick release … high work ethic and compete level

BRYCE MISLEY
gifted offensive player … high-end puck skills … makes plays at top speed … vision and passing ability make him a constant threat … plays with poise and composure

CANADA WEST

KYLE BETTS
very good two-way player … can play in any role … excellent skater … speed and quickness … smart and responsible with the puck … leads by example … big-game experience

CALE MAKAR
dynamic offensive defenceman … excellent vision … very quick hands and feet … can create something out of nothing … can beat the forecheck with a pass or quick move … smart

IAN MITCHELL
good skater … excellent mobility … makes a good first pass … very good vision … can make a good pass or rush the puck … good decisions on both sides of the puck

CZECH REPUBLIC

DANIEL KUROSVKY
power forward … uses size and strength well in traffic … physical skater … protects the puck with his reach … works hard … honest competitor … very effective on the forecheck

ONDREJ PROCHAZKA
powerful skater … excellent quickness … hard to check … smart game carrying the puck … plays with intensity … very good passer … effective under pressure … drives hard 

JAKUB SIROTA
effective in one-on-one play … excellent skater … moves well forward and backward … quick first step … good offensive instincts … passes with authority … responsible defender

RUSSIA

NIKITA ANOKHOVSKIY
energy forward … dynamic skill set … good acceleration … skating makes him a difference-maker … work ethic and passion to make things happen … speed, balance and mobility

KLIM KOSTIN
offensive power forward … strong skating stride … tremendous hockey sense and vision … good hands and long reach … carries the puck with confidence … utilizes size in tough areas

ALEXEY LIPANOV
creative centre … good hands and puck skills … very good balance, speed and acceleration … quick and mobile … strong in one-on-one … good playmaker … reads the play well

SWITZERLAND

SVEN LEUENBERGER
smart and gritty … plays a consistent, complete game … good in all three zones … can read and react quickly … high character player … plays with intensity and determination

DYLAN PENA-TRIANA
offensively-skilled forward … plays bigger than his size … quick and mobile skater … good top-end speed … good things happen when he has the puck … always a threat to score

DAVID ZEITER
plays simple with the puck … makes a good first pass … stays with his check in defensive zone … makes responsible choices … good leadership qualities … trusted in all roles

UNITED STATES

MIKEY ANDERSON
Closes in quickly on opponents … strong in one-on-one play … high hockey IQ … finds secondary options quickly … takes hits to make plays … high compete level … strong skater

CLAYTON PHILLIPS
excellent skater … very good hockey sense … plays a dynamic game … quick and mobile … handles the puck very well … creates chances off the rush … makes a good first pass

CAYDEN PRIMEAU
very good net coverage … plays angles well … always in proper position … calm, poised and consistent … efficient and controlled lateral movement … excellent reactional play