2013 U18 WJC Video: Ludek Bukac, Czech Republic Video: Czech Republic head coach Ludek Bukac talks to the media following his team’s 4-3 loss to the USA at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship. The Czech Republic had a relatively easy time of things in their first game of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship, but Game 2 was a different story as they dropped a hard-fought, 4-3 loss to the USA at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, Russia. 2013 U18 WJC Video: Jimi Kuronen, Finland Photo: Finnish defender Jimi Kuronen is hoping that a strong showing at this U18 WJC tournament will help improve his 2013 draft position (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt) Not unlike their fellow Group A combatants, the Czech Republic, Finland feasted on Latvia in their first game of the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship. But the second game for the Finns was a much greater challenge, one that the team wasn't ultimately able to overcome as they lost to Russia, 3-1, at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, Russia. Minnesota Wild has key depth prospects developing in NCAA and Europe Photo: Winger Mario Lucia led Notre Dame’s freshmen in goals and points despite missing the early part of the season with a broken leg (courtesy of Tim G. Zechar / Icon SMI) Minnesota's college hockey tradition has always been a strong part of its identity as a state, so it is no wonder that the Wild organization relies on the NCAA to bring some of its prospects along. Another major source of identity is Europe, where the Wild has looked to Switzerland, Finland, and Sweden many times in the past. Developmental strategies vary by coaching staffs, but the Minnesota Wild look to get players into situations that will best enhance their individual styles, giving each young man the opportunities he needs for personal and professional development. 2013 U18 WJC Video: Xeno Busser, Switzerland Photo: Swiss defensemen Xeno Busser (L) and Jonas Siegenthaler (R) pose together following their country’s opening win over Slovakia at the 2013 U18 WJC (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt) Switzerland wanted to start well at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship, and they did exactly that after taking a 4-1 win from Slovakia on Day 2 of the tournament. 2013 U18 WJC Video: Patrik Zdrahal, Czech Republic Video: Czech Republic forward Patrik Zdrahal was the star in his country’s opening win over Latvia at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship. While Sudbury Wolves forward Dominik Kubalik was the top point-getter for the Czech Republic in their opening win over Latvia, forward Patrik Zdrahal was the goal-scoring star for the Czechs in that game. 2013 U18 WJC Video: Dominik Kubalik, Czech Republic Photo: Czech Republic forward Dominik Kubalik, shown here playing for the Sudbury Wolves, turned in a strong offensive performance in his country’s opening game at the 2013 U18 WJC (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images) The Czech Republic got off on the right foot at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship, easily dispatching Latvia, 7-0, on Day 2 of this tournament. The Czech's received a strong performance from forward Dominik Kubalik, who registered five assists in the game. Toronto Maple Leafs have decent depth at European and NCAA levels Photo: Defenseman Andrew MacWilliam recently signed an entry-level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. MacWilliam spent the season playing for North Dakota. (courtesy of Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images) The Maple Leafs have several prospects playing at the NCAA and European level. Tony Cameranesi boasts the most impressive season out of any NCAA prospect, while a strong performance from Swedish defenseman Tom Nilsson has earned him an entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs. All three of the Maple Leafs European prospects are Swedish. San Jose Sharks system continues to show improvement in mid-season Top 20 ranking Photo: Following another productive season at Boston University, Matt Nieto has mad a strong first impression in his AHL debut with Worcester (courtesy of Michael Tureski/Icon SMI) The San Jose Sharks prospect pool continues to get better and better. The 2012-13 season has been a strong one for development, and while there looks to be a gap in high-end skill after top prospect Tomas Hertl, a number of prospects have really played themselves into the limelight and have shown at times an ability to possibly fill that gap. 2013 U18 WJC Video: Jack Eichel, USA Photo: Although this is Team USA forward Jack Eichel’s (#12) first appearance at the U18 WJC, he has represented his country at previous international tournaments (courtesy of Martin Rose/Getty Images) Despite an opening game loss to Russia at the 2013 U18 World Junior Championship, Team USA forward Jack Eichel's first U18 game was a memorable one. After all, how many 16-year-old's can say that they played their first U18 WJC game in front of a packed house that included the president from the host country? 2013 U18 WJC Video: Kasperi Kapanen, Finland Photo: Forward Kasperi Kapanen and his teammates from Finland got off to a good start at the 2013 U18 WJC with a win over Latvia (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt) If the surname of Kasperi Kapanen sounds familiar to hockey fans, there is a good reason for that. Kasperi is the son of former NHL forward Sami Kapanen, whose stops in the NHL included the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Philadelphia Flyers. |
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