ISS Hockey
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 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Who made the list?
CANADA BLACK
KIRBY DACH great combination of size, strength and puck skills … ‘offence first’ mentality … soft hands… good puck pursuit … quick stick … finds available ice
ALEX NEWHOOK explosive forward … at his best with puck on his stick … always wants the puck … plays with no fear … quick release … dangerous every shift
PHILIP TOMASINO dynamic offensive talent … creates offence with hard work … very consistent … jumps in and out of holes to create chances … plays with passion
CANADA RED
BOWEN BYRAM controls the game … plays with swagger … smart and skilled … plays in all situations … doesn’t panic with the puck … good support of his partner
PEYTON KREBS plays with determination and passion … exciting player … puck follows him on the ice … accurate wrist shot … always in motion … dynamic player
ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE high-impact forward … can control and dominate games … corrals bad passes with ease … great hands … makes smart decisions quickly
CANADA WHITE
JAKOB PELLETIER creative play-making forward … good speed … natural play-maker … likes to carry the puck … very good vision … shifty with the puck
BRADEN SCHNEIDER mobile two-way defenceman … makes crisp outlet passes … quick feet for his size … good positioning to shut down rush … steady as they come
MICHAEL VUKOJEVIC plays with poise … complete package … high-end skating … reads the game very well … excellent hockey sense … makes smart decisions
CZECH REPUBLIC
MARTIN HUGO HAS two-way defenceman … strong skater for his size … makes good decisions with the puck … hard shot … uses long reach to break up passes
FILIP PRIKRYL highly skilled … provides leadership … always seems to be in the right place … not afraid to carry the puck into traffic … aggressive on the puck
MATEJ TOMAN smart two-way game … good vision and hands … smooth skater … good slap shot … good on the forecheck … anticipates well … doesn’t panic
FINLAND
LEEVI AALTONEN slick offensive play-maker … undersized but highly skilled … plays with his heart on his sleeve … excellent footwork … creative on the power play
IIVARI RÄSÄNEN two-way defenceman … good first pass … likes to jump into the rush … plays with poise and confidence … strong hockey IQ … logs tons of minutes
ANTTI SAARELA smart and gifted … very good offensive instincts … quality stick skills … good energy and effort … noticeable every shift … good on PP and PK
RUSSIA
DANIL GUSHCHIN play-making forward … speedy and agile … excellent hands … good outside speed … sees the ice very well … quick release … drives the net hard
MATVEY GUSKOV skilled centre … plays a 200-foot game … highly intelligent … high-end skills and physical tools … good character and work ethic … complete package
ARTEMII KNIAZEV two-way defenceman … excellent skater … strong puck-mover … makes a good first pass … stands up at the blue-line … confidence in his mobility
SWEDEN
ALBIN GREWE slick stickhandler … dangerous in the offensive end … plays a fast game … works hard every shift … deadly on the power play … makes things happen
NOEL GUNLER thinks the game well … elite shot and release … goal-scoring instincts … likes to shoot the puck … has ability to find open space and create chances
VICTOR SÖDERSTRÖM mobile two-way defenceman … smooth skater … good decisions in all three zones … not afraid to play physical … makes hard, accurate passes
UNITED STATES
JACK HUGHES electrifying and dynamic player … has ability to be a difference-maker … very elusive … attacks lanes … always a step ahead … plays smart
SPENCER KNIGHT solid butterfly goaltender … keeps his movements tight … explosive from side to side … plays with calmness … comminucates well … eats up rebounds
ALEX TURCOTTE exciting to watch … plays at high speed and tempo … strong 200-foot game … constantly competing … strength to his stride … plays confident