Spencer Elsby's WJC Experience

[Spence King 387]

Spencer Elsby was one of the 4 youngest for Team Asia at the world junior championship.

 

Team Asias GM was well aware these young men are just as talented if not more than the others that showed up to camp 2 or even 3 years older. I picked these young men for a reason and I am so happy and proud of all their performances.

 

“I thought there youth certainly showed in it, each game you could see the young guys learning from the vets and using new skills that rubbed off from playing with great leaders” said Team Asias coach following his team’s 7-5 loss to Europe in the Gold medal game. “I know we opened a lot of eyes and definitely garnered some more attentions from VHL teams for our young guys and what an amazing developmental opportunity, no one would be able to tell you they were 16 out there or rookies , they fit right in perfect , these are truly exceptional players. As a coach, you’re very conscious of that.

 

“In the tournament you know the areas where he can succeed in and the times when you know it’s going to be tough.”

Elsby, who turns 17 in in July , had a goal and 11 assists in the tournament and was Asias Fourth-highest point-getter.

However, it was a tournament of ups and downs for the youngster.

 

Elsby found himself a minus at the end of the tournament something he is not used to and drives him crazy throught preliminary round games against USA , Elsby also found himself on the wrong end of more stick infractions than his norm.“This tournament with its structure these young men were forced to play A LOT” Team Asia’s coach said. “It had nothing to do with his effort, or anything like that. Just sometimes it was overwhelming for him. Tonight, at times, it was overwhelming for him.

“Most of those kids on Europe’s team are pretty big boys and on the verge of turning pro next year in he VHL. Elsby is a young 16-year-old and you have to be careful with that.” – Spencer Elsby Sr

 

Elsby and his new good friend/enemy on the ice @Mike, and his roommate Adam Frence are among the best first year players in on the planet and are most likely returnees for team Asia as they chase that elusive Gold Medal, However with the way the VHLM WJC is formatted we might see these three young superstars representing different teams at next years WJC and different jerseys. Elsby has stated in the media how much he would love to be drafted to the same team and how much he would love to be standing beside his good buddy Frence @Kachur on draft night.

 

“Everyone is a very important part of this program moving forward, We hope to have similar success and the ultimate goal next year of achieving gold, These young men have been nothing but a pleasure to coach and truly love to learn and make each other better ” Team Asias coach said.

 

This tournament really opened my eyes and I know it did to every one of Elsbys teammates. Coming into the tournament with the PHI/OTT rivalry I wasn’t sure how the Lynx players would react with Elsby knowing his on ice behaviors, and truly to my surprise Elsby was inseparable from Defenz Mann and Frence those three were always together laughing and joking around, In our exit interviews almost every player mentioned how great and encouraging teammate Elsby is. It was evident throughout the tournament this young man love to learn and wants to get better every time he plays. He is always really analyzing the plays and spends hours watching game tapes and has a talent like ive never seen before with his ability to learn and grow from his mistakes and growing into such a well rounded , and unpredictable with that skill. “This young man is going to be something special.” Team Asias GM

[Mike 708]

I must have been too drunk to remember all those times.