WJC S74 Preview

[Mr_Hatter 1,603]

 

 

The rosters are set, the teams are preparing, and the players are ready to represent their nation(s) proudly. It’s time for the annual World Junior Championships! Every season, young players from across the globe compete with one another to see which team will take home the gold, silver, and bronze. Last season it was Team USA in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Team Europe; will they be able to recreate their success? Or will another come to take their place? Without further ado, let’s take a look at the teams to see who’s who, what’s what, and which team we at VSN think will take it all. In alphabetic order, here we go:

 

 

    Team Asia    

@Blazzer

Average TPA: 274
Highest TPA Player: Christian Mingle, 395

 

After having failed to make either of the medal games last WJC, Team Asia will be looking to rebound and improve upon last year’s performance. Led by one of the top players in the competition, there are a lot of expectations for Chicago Phoenix and Israeli player Christian Mingle to perform and bring Team Asia back to the top of the WJC. Asia is led on the defensive line by Korean player Han Jae Kuk, whose pass-first play style should feed beautifully into the offensive threats of the team; both of Mingle’s linemates in Lee Xin and Jeffrenomitsu The 3rd have deadly shots, not to mention Mingle themself, and we are excited to see if these players from vastly different backgrounds can bring it together and fight for a spot on the podium. Emi Rune, despite some late drama regarding their nationality/eligibility, has landed on the correct team representing their home country of Japan, and will provide a real threat feeding into the offense. 

 

       Team Canada        

@MattyIce

Average TPA: 216
Highest TPA Player: Remy Moreau, 338

 

Despite being perennial contenders, this season is looking a little rough for Team Canada. They have some great players, but for once their depth is lacking, as they have the lowest average TPA across all teams. Their top player is Moscow winger Remy Moreau. Moreau is a great physical presence, and will be making himself felt on the ice. On the defensive end, Los Angeles Star’s player Mikeal Keef will hold down the fort. A well rounded defenceman, Keef is a lock down performer, whose 118 shots blocked registers 12th overall in the VHL. Canada’s goaltending duties will be split between Kloxified and Jacob Carson, each of which will be looking to continue along the pipeline to top Canadian goaltender. 

 

    Team Europe    

@LatinViking

Average TPA: 303
Highest TPA Player: Luke Thornton, 407

 

If Team Canada is looking the most thin, then it is Team Europe looking stacked. Don’t get me wrong, stranger things have happened and I’m sure this is just going to curse them, but our money is on the Europeans this WJC. All three of their lines are absolutely lethal, and with solid defensive pairings behind them, they have no weak spots. They have one of the top goaltenders backstopping them in Nils Friedriksen to top it off. At the forward position, they are led by a thrilling front-line of Aloe Dear, Venus Thightrap, and Onde Sandstrom; what, did Team Europe GM @LatinViking just take a look at the S74 VHL Entry draft and say “Yup, I’ll take this first round, please and thank you”? Seriously, half of the S74 first round is on this team; 8 of 16. On defense, it is the German Markus Schauer who will be organizing his teammates with an iron fist. A top player, Schauer is as competent keeping the puck out of the net as he is putting them in it. Finally, how could we talk about Team Europe without talking about perhaps the most talented player in the whole tournament; Luke Thornton. Thornton is a two-way threat, who will break you down mentally, physically, and emotionally. More importantly, he will facilitate his high performing teammates with a killer final pass, as his vision and passing ability are probably his best attributes. We look forward to seeing if Team Europe can live up to the hype and take home the gold this season, or if they will crumble under the pressure. 

 

 

    Team USA    

@NickSunderbruch

Average TPA: 266
Highest TPA Player: Isabella Campbell, 344

 

The Americans are looking to field a very competitive team this year. While not the most top heavy team, they have star players leading the line at every position. In net, they have one of the best goaltenders the VHLM has ever seen in John Poremba, while their backup Drew Minott would be in contention for a starting position on other teams. Defense sees some great players, with the likes of Lester Green and Chance Rust keeping the intensity high. At forward, their centers are fantastic in particular, with American sweetheart Isabella Campbell at the top of the team sheet, backed up at 2C by Cole Newhook, a strong young player for the Moscow Menace. Flanking Campbell on either side we have John Leclair II and  Keith Krestanovich. Both are big, burly boys who will certainly be making sure no one gets too close to Campbell, but both are also incredibly skilled scorers, and can skate circles around opposing defenses. We think Team USA is looking to be a solid dark horse contender, as they have a very balanced squad with no obvious holes. 

 

 

    Team World    

@JigglyGumballs

Average TPA: 239
Highest TPA Player: Doug Dimmadome, 350

 

Finally, we have the leftovers (just joking <3). Team World might not be the best team we have seen pre-tournament, but I’ll tell you what, with Doug Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome in net, I’m not sure the rest of the squad matters. That man can single-handedly keep a team in the game. He is a well rounded netminder, but it is his lightning fast reaction time that truly impresses. He is supported by Kevin Malone, a top netminder in his own right, and will be shielded ahead by Shawn Glade III, the heart of Team World’s defense. Jared Willis is probably their best forward, an incredibly well-rounded player who can do just a little bit of everything; the exact profile player you want to be grinding out games with. While Team World has these few high performing players, their downside is easily their lack of depth. It’s hard to see where their scoring will come from, compared to the bottom lines of teams like Europe. But it’s a tournament for a reason; lets see what will happen. 

 

 

That’s all for our coverage of the S74 World Junior Championship for now. Stay tuned for more updates as the games start up! Thanks for reading, and enjoy the hockey~

 

 

VSN Writer Mr_Hatter

 

[mattyIceman 1,055]

We're going to have to play some good-old Canadian style hockey to beat the competition.

 

[Blazzer 759]

7 minutes ago, MattyIce said:

We're going to have to play some good-old Canadian style hockey to beat the competition.

 

Hey you, Gustav jailed you for being horny in WJC! What are u doing here? 

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

Things may not look the brightest, but the World shall come through! Also great article btw

[ThePerfectNut 563]

Wow...That's one of the very few very nice things about my player Luke Thornton ever had so far...I might cry.

 

Hopefully it doesn't come back and bite me in the ass hehehehe. #TeamEuropeFTW