November 04, 2011
Posted in BC Edition, Hockey Canada, Junior A
By Brendan Munro /
Team Canada East will try to better their silver medal result from last year’s World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, while the USA will once again be sending a star-studded lineup. Meanwhile, the B.C.-born members of the Canada West roster look to capture gold in their home province. Here’s how the competition is shaping up.
Canada West
Team Canada West will rely on returning WJAC veterans Rhett Holland, Sam Jardine and Travis St. Denis, the latter being one of the BCHL’s scoring leaders with 27 points in 13 games. After being traded from the Burlington Cougars to the Vernon Vipers this summer, Luke Juha should also be returning to the WJAC, but this time for Canada West’s squad. No players from the host Langley Rivermen will be on team, but the 34 player selection camp included 18 from the BCHL, so the home team’s lineup will be very familiar to local hockey fans.
Canada East
Led by returning WJAC veterans Phil Hampton, and twins Tylor and Tyson Spink, Team Canada East will be sending a much more seasoned lineup compared to the European clubs. Returning coach Curtis Hodgins will be relying on that prior tournament experience to push them over the top. Other key players include forward Mark Cooper, who has had a hot start to his OJHL season by combining size with skill, and Paul Geiger, who leads all OJHL defenders in scoring.
USA
Three-time defending champs USA will be led by a pair of NHL draft picks currently playing for the Penticton Vees: Mario Lucia (Minnesota - 2nd round) and Mike Reilly (Columbus - 4th round). They’ll have plenty of familiar faces from NHL Draft day 2011 on their squad including Sean Kuraly (San Jose - 3rd round.), Andy Welinski (Anaheim - 3rd round), Tony Cameranesi (Toronto - 5th round), and Alex Broadhurst (Chicago - 7th round).
Sweden
Sweden will be sending a young team, comprised mainly of ‘94-born players with a couple of upstart ‘95s cracking the lineup: D Robert Hagg and F Jacob de la Rose. Their team will be drawn from across the Swedish SuperElit U-20, led by Filip Sandberg, who has recorded 15 points in 14 games this season, as well as Elias Lindholm, a 6-0, 185-pound centre who has 12 points in nine games this season. Sweden has struggled at this tournament in the past, with only 1 win in eight games.
Russia
The Russians have been an integral part of this tournament since its inception, having captured the bronze medal on two past occasions. With hopes of topping that high-water mark, the Russians will be relying on the likes of Egor Malenkikh, a 6-3, 200-pound defenceman, who despite being selected seventh overall in the CHL import draft, elected to play in Russia. At forward, scouts will be interested in taking a closer look at Alexander Timirev who was taken #3 overall in the 2011 KHL draft.
Czech Republic
In any short tournament, goaltending is paramount, and the Czechs may have an ace in Marek Langhamer. The 17-year-old is already playing regularly for HC Pardubice, and when compared to his current job - trying to fill the shoes of the retired Dominik Hasek - leading the national team should seem easy. Helping him with some offence as well as leadership will be Martin Matejcek and Matej Zadrazil. The pair had plenty of national team experience as 15 and 16-year-olds and will now add to their international resumes.
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