Ivan Hlinka Tournament Review - Canada

2011 Ivan Hlinka Tournament Review

CANADA WINS CHAMPIONSHIP

With the tournament over, the Canadians come home, wearing shiny gold medals hanging around their necks, have little time to celebrate.

As soon as they come home, they are heading back to the rink, as their team's training camps are taking place, as the season is about to begin. For some, this year is going to be the most important year of their lives. For others, it's to put themselves on the radar for up and coming years.

I will be posting players that have stood out throughout the tournament, and some that maybe I would have expected more from.

Andreas Athansiou really showed what he is really worth this tournament, posting four points in five games. Putting him fourth on team points behind Slater Koekkoek, Jarrod Maidens and Charles Hudon. Andreas played a much bigger role on Team Canada then I expected. He excelled and showed scouts his speed and skill. Watch out for him to be a riser in this year's draft.

With nine points in five games, Charles Hudon took his game to the next level, winning rookie of the year honors in the Q. Charles Hudon is an excellent playmaker, but also has great vision along with a knack for the net. Although his size may cost him in the long run, being only 5'8. Expect Hudon to be a early second round pick, and possibly one of Canada's top forwards coming in to the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Some other players that impressed me on the Canadian squad included Gemel Smith, who showed great acceleration and did an excellent job for Canada as a bottom six forward for the team. Expect big things from him next season in Owen Sound. Which brings me to teammate Jarrod Maidens, his scoring ability is great, but if he wants to take his game to next level, he's got to use his size. The big four, Derrick Pouliot, Morgan Rielly, Mathew Dumba and Griffin Reinhart, showed me what I wanted to see, both Pouliot and Rielly are excellent offensive defenseman, while Reinhart and Dumba are superb defensively and can pinch in offensively as well. Although I did expect more from Reinhart, who just came off of injury, which could of been a negative. As well as Kitchener forward Matia Marcantouni, who was listed as my top forward on the Canadian squad. Matheson, Koekkoek and Pelech all had solid outcomes throughout the tournament. Koekkoek did show some offensive upside, but all in all, Canada's defense did an excellent job throughout the tournament, especially in the game versus Russia, causing the Russians to only have 7 shots. Hunter Shinkaruk and Kerby Rychel each had both solid tournaments, and showed scouts a little preview on what they can bring in the 2013 Draft. Both Domenic Graham and Daniel Altshuller showed solid goaltending for Team Canada.

An exciting tournament to watch, and some needed time to watch some puck before the season starts! I will keep you guys updated throughout the WHL Season on not only the Royals, but on some of the WHL's 2012 prospects coming here to Victoria!