The 2012 NHL Entry Draft might be a year away from now, but that doesn't stop scouts from around the NHL to catch an early glimpse of the future top draft picks. The Ivan Hlinka U18 Tournament brings the top talent from each country together to compete for the championship. The selection camp roster has been made, and the top 94’s from all around Canada are competing for roster spots, 42 were selected, 22 will head over to the Czech Republic. Here’s a look at some of the players fighting for a spot.
GOALTENDING -
The four goaltenders selected for this year’s camp are all great goaltenders, some playing on better team’s then others. Matt Murray is a prime example of that, on a weak Soo Greyhounds team, but managed to almost keep a .500 record with the Greyhounds, Murray will be given the starting job next year for the Greyhounds. Two goaltenders will represent the QMJHL at the camp, one being Francois Tremblay, playing for a not-so-great Valdor team, Francois uses his size to his advantage, but his numbers at the U17’s weren’t impressive. Domenic Graham, the youngest goalie at the camp, eligible in 2013. Graham is not the biggest guy, but makes for it with his determination and work ethic. Playing a back-up role with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, in 27 games, he put up 2.54 goals against average. Not bad for a youngster. The underdog award belongs to Daniel Altshuller, playing Junior A in Ontario, he may not get most of the exposure. But sure could be the best goaltender at this camp. His big shot came at the U17 Tournament, where he was given a starting role for Team Ontario, he posted a 1.39 GAA and .946 save percentage, making the tournament’s first all-star team and capturing the gold medal for Team Ontario.
MY PREDICTIONS:
Matt Murray
Domenic Graham
Both Tremblay and Altshuller are great goaltenders, but the play of both Graham and Murray throughout the season stood out compared to both Tremblay and Altshuller, in Altshuller’s case, the compete level from the OHL compared to Junior A is a factor, as well as the lack of exposure. If Altshuller makes the team, I would not be surprised, but it’s probably based on his performance with Team Ontario.
DEFENSE -
Now this is the hardest position to choose from, the 2012 draft is also known to be “the year of defenseman”. This squad will have it’s fair share of excellent defenseman, I will have to break it down into leagues.
The WHL’s crop brings not only size, but raw skill and talent. Six of the fourteen defenseman invited were from the WHL. The big four from the WHL are Derrick Pouliot, the Portland Winterhawks defenseman who is known for his smart play and his vision. Morgan Reilly of the Moose Jaw Warriors, a offensive defenseman with excellent skating ability. Griffin Reinhart of the Edmonton Oil Kings, a rough and tough blueliner who his known for his size and two-way ability, and Matthew Dumba, known for his physicality and quickness to jump into the offensive zone, all four were drafted one to fourth in their bantam draft. And all are potential first rounders for next year’s entry draft. The two other defenseman invited were Ryan Pulock, who stood out to most with the Brandon Wheat Kings, becoming one of their best defenseman as a 16 year old rookie, not eligible until 2013, his raw talent caught the eye of scouts. Nick Walters of the Everett Silvertips is a raw defensive defenseman, physical and not afraid to stick up for his teammates.
The OHL is no different, six defenseman selected for camp, the two defenseman that stand out from Ontario are Slater Koekkoek of the Petes and Gianluca Curcuruto of the Greyhounds. Koekkoek is a two-way defenseman who has no real flaws in his game. Curcuruto’s season was shortened with injury, but in his time with the Hounds, showed that he’s a mobile puck mover that can be physical and has a great shot. The four others include Jesse Graham of the Niagara Ice Dogs, the small offensive defenseman is a great skater, puck mover, but his defensive game needs work. Marcus McIvor of the Brampton Battalion, a big two-way defenseman who makes a good first pass and is fairly good at stopping opponents. Matt Finn of the Guelph Storm makes good decisions with the puck. Adam Pelech of the Erie Otters has good leadership qualities and smarts on the ice.The lone member from the QMJHL is Dominic Poulin, who has great vision and hockey sense, and makes smart decisions on the ice. Michael Matheson, a member of the Lac St. Louis Lions Midget AAA squad, who will be playing in the USHL next season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He is a solid two-way defenseman who has size and great puck handling ability. His exposure is small, but he is definitely a guy to watch for next year.
MY PREDICTIONS:
Griffin Reinhart - Mathew Dumba
Derrick Pouliot - Michael Matheson
Morgan Reilly - Slater Koekkoek
Ryan Pulock
This was some of the hardest decisions. Leaving Curcuruto out was a tough decision, but I feel that Ryan Pulock is a guy that can bring alot to the table for this team. These seven defenseman stood out from the others when it comes down to it, simple as that. The factor of Griffin Reinhart’s wrist injury could some into play, Reinhart could not play, and Curcuruto could step into his place.
FORWARDS-
The forward group for this team needs to be great for this team to contend for the gold medal, with many of the top forwards not from Canada, this team needs to use their best offensive players for this tournament.
The forward group needs a team of some of the best snipers, playmakers and some of the best energy players from around the country. I think they did a great job in the selection process.
The forwards range in sizes, while being small may get you some negative feedback, in some cases it’s otherwise, ask Brandon Leipsic of the Winterhawks, who’s skating ability and vision got him 33 points in 68 games on a great Portland team. Charles Hudon on the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi is only 5’8, but his scoring ability got him the rookie of the year award in the QMJHL, and that raised eyebrows. Both Troy Bourke of the Prince George Cougars and Chandler Stephenson of the Regina Pats both had respectable rookie seasons. Gemel Smith of Owen Sound, Brandon Magee of Victoria and Felix Girard of Baie Comeau, are energy guys that play bigger then their size. The bruisers belong to Thomas Wilson of Plymouth, who’s 6’4 frame scares off opponents, Robert Trzonkowski of Calgary, Tyrel Seaman of Brandon, Chris Marchese of Owen Sound, Kerby Rychel of Windsor and Justin Kea of Saginaw are competeing for third/fourth line roster spots. The power forwards for Team Canada aren’t slim either, Connor Rankin of Tri-City, Jarrod Maidens of Owen Sound, Scott Laughton of Oshawa, Andreas Athanasiou of London and Ryan Olsen of Saskatoon are some guys who can play a solid two-way game and can put up points. The standout power forwards include the likes of Brendan Gaunce of Belleville, Sean Monahan of Ottawa, and Matia Marcantuoni of Kitchener, all were on the powerhouse Team Ontario, and all are some of the top forwards representing their country for their respective draft years. Some other names not mentioned include Mathew Campagna of Sudbury, Luca Ciampini of Halifax and Hunter Shinkaruk of Medicine Hat, who all have great scoring touches.
MY PREDICTION -
Charles Hudon - Matia Marcantuouni - Sean Monahan
Luca Ciampini - Brendan Gaunce - Hunter Shinkaruk
Connor Rankin - Scott Laughton - Jarrod Maidens
Kerby Rychel - Justin Kea - Thomas Wilson
Matthew Campagna
This forward group brings two-way players, big bodies and scoring ability. You notice that no WHL forward available in 2012 made the cut. Boruke, Leipsic and Stephenson didn’t make the cut due to the fact that they are either top six guys or not, and simply put, they weren’t the best available. Magee was based on his size, and Seaman/Trzonkowski/Olsen although good third/fourth line guys, couldn’t beat out Rychel, Kea and Wilson. Athanasiou, Girard, Smith, Marchese didn’t make the cut as being the best at their job of being third/fourth line players.
All in all, expect Canada to come out banging bodies, and watch for some of these guys in next year’s NHL entry draft!
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