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 gold? 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 Kindersley, Sask., that it believes are players to watch at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.
Who made the list?
CANADA EAST
NEIL DOEF very good size-to-speed ratio … creative with the puck … always a scoring threat … strong offensive instincts … plays bigger than his size … willing to battle … always wants the puck on his stick … smooth skater
MICHAEL LAIDLEY can play in all situations … excellent speed … a difference-maker on the ice … plays with energy … strong puck-pursuit game … good puck skills in traffic … makes plays at top speed … gets to the net well … good shot
ZAC TIERNEY good jump and speed … heads-up game under pressure … capable of leading the rush … quick release … gets the puck on net from the point … good body positioning in defensive zone … good awareness
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CANADA WEST
RHETT GARDNER very good hockey IQ … makes smart decisions … very composed with the puck … not afraid to go into tough areas … plays a creative game … gets shot away quickly … responsible in his own end … tireless worker
JACKSON KEANE excellent vision and hockey sense … smooth skater … change of pace that makes him difficult to handle … not afraid to get to pucks first … uses quickness and wits to win scrums … hard worker … smooth skater
MARCUS VELA key on the power play and penalty kill … plays a responsible two-way game … very strong on the puck … solid on face-offs … brings a physical element … plays with a purpose … good vision … high compete level
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DENMARK
KRISTIAN JENSEN strong skater … good mobility with the puck … good upside … plays a power-forward game … likes to drive to the net … knows where to be on the ice … plays a responsible game with and without the puck
MATIAS LASSEN powerful skater … very good size and strength game … plays with a physical presence … keeps his game simplified with the puck … responsible on the ice … very effective in one-on-one situations
GEORGE SORENSON very quick … acrobatic goaltender … good alertness and concentration … very quick reflexes … good recovery skills … plays with confidence … good communication … doesn’t let size affect his play
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RUSSIA
DENIS GURYANOV has established his identity as a power forward … strong skater … utilizes his size and strength to his advantage … hard to keep in check … good shot … has a scoring touch around the net … plays hard
YEGOR RYKOV effective two-way defenceman … good passer and playmaker … plays with consistency … reliable team player … keeps his game simplified … good mobility … plays within his limits in the defensive zone … smart
ARTYOM VOLKOV plays a solid two-way game … reliable … moves the puck well … makes a good first pass … strong skater … good mobility … likes to engage physically … good understanding of positioning in defensive zone
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SWITZERLAND
FABIAN HABERSTICH good size and strength … loves to compete … uses size to his advantage in puck battles … strong skater … plays with intensity … generates scoring chances … good hockey sense … quick release … good instincts
AUGUSTE IMPOSE dynamic skater … explosive acceleration … good top-end speed … good hockey sense … has puck skills to generate scoring chances … plays a two-way game … good work ethic … plays with intensity
DAMIEN RIAT very gritty … plays with determination … plays a north-south game … good speed … likes to go to the net … effective playmaker … good puck skills … responsible with and without the puck … quick shot
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UNITED STATES
BROCK BOESER excellent skater … loves to compete … plays with speed, quickness and determination … very good offensive instincts … strong hockey sense … hard, accurate shot … quick release … finishes his scoring chances
KYLE CONNOR dynamic and complete player … understands the game … excellent offensive instincts … good vision … great puck skills … finds the open man … always a scoring threat … very good passing touch … good shot
SHANE GERSICH creative player … fun to watch … plays a high-paced offensive game … very good vision … a playmaker … has a goal scorer’s touch … quick to recognize opportunity … always around the net … capitalizes on chances