Team Europe's WJC Defense

[Greg_Di 1,028]

 

Today we will be reviewing the defensive core of Team Europes WJC team. It is an interesting mix of youngsters who all went in the top 10 of the S76 draft and all also played there rookie season in the VHL this year.

 

Battre Sandstrom: @Acydburn

The top drafted player out of this core who went 2^nd overall in last years draft. This huge 6’8”, 250lb defenseman will be a force to be reckoned with on the blue line. Even with his size Battre has been establishing himself as more of an offensive player which will surely help out the European team.

In his rookie season Battre put up 41 points, 131 hits and 152 shots blocked. Battre will be looking to showcase his skills on the world stage and show everyone why he was the top picked defenseman in the S76 draft.

Battre will definitely be the point producing defenseman on the top line while the next defender, Tom, will be used in a more defensive settings.

Tom Eagles:

Following Battre going 2^nd overall, the next defenseman on Team Europe went 3^rd overall. Tom Eagles is yet another huge presence on the European blue line as he stands 6’6” and weighs 230lb. Being paired with Battre will create a intimidating duo for any opposing players. Eagles for the moment tends to play a more defensive game so this 1-2 punch with Battre can lead them to feeding off each other.

Eagles finished with 34 points, 86 hits and 115 shots blocked in his first rookie season.

You can expect a lot of hits and shots blocked when these two will be paired on the ice.

 

Kristof Welch: @Juice

Kristof is the smallest defender on team Europe standing at 5’10” and 145lb. What he lacks in physicality he makes up for in his skating, puck handling and offensive skills.

Kristof was drafted 5^th overall and finished his rookie season with 34 points, 71 hits and 117 shots blocked.

You can expect Kristof to be the offensive anchor on the blueline on the second defensive pair, helping out the offense to get vital points. He should work very well with our final defender.

Robin Galante Nilsson: @RomanesEuntDomus
Last but not least we have Robin who stands at 6’3” and weights 210lb. Robin is the more defensive player in the 2^nd line pairing and is a fearless player. In his rookie season he put up 26 points but blocked an outstanding 148 shots. Opposing teams will have a difficult time getting pucks on the net when Robin loves putting his body on the line to help his goaltender out.

 

Paired with Kristof, he will be able to provide much needed defensive help for Europe’s 2^nd line while also having the potential to chip in offensively.

 

Looking at this defensive core, you have to say that Team Europe definitely boasts one of the top defending depth in this years tournament. This group of 4 will be very tough to play against and opposing teams will have to come up with creative ways to get past the defensive wall of the 1^st pair as well as try to figure out how to get shots through on the 2^nd pair.

[Juice 641]