2005 IIHF World Junior Championships

[slapshot™]

Group A - CAN, USA, FIN, SUI, NOR

Group B - RUS, CZE, SWE, SVK, LAT

December 25th, 2005 to January 5th, 2006

Group A: Vancouver, BC (PNE Coliseum/GM Place)
Group B: Kelowna, BC (Prospera Place) Kamloops, BC (Interior Savings Centre)

Here -> Tournament Schedule (http://www.hockeycanada.ca/e/teams/mens/junior/2006/sked.html)

http://www.sport-toys-usa.com/Images/sureshothockey.jpg

I assume you left-coasters all have your tickets for this fantastic tourney? It isn't a proper Christmas Holiday without the World Juniors and to have it in your backyard must be something very special.

[Newfie John]

Can't wait. Waking up Christmas morning, open up the gifts and go watch the game before/after Christmas dinner. I can't wait.

[KB in Kelowna]

They sold out very quickly, Rockets seasons tickets holders got dibs on them here. Still it is a very big deal for hockey in BC.

Go Canada Go!

[TimmyTabasco]

I didn't buy any tickets, as they sold out quickly

I'll be honest..I have watched a little of these in the past, but not as much as I probably should :coffee: :D

[Newfie John]

Timmy your missing out, great hockey. I doubt there will be any Fog Devils in the tourney. Oscar Sundh maybe.

[TimmyTabasco]

Timmy your missing out, great hockey. I doubt there will be any Fog Devils in the tourney. Oscar Sundh maybe.

Oh, I do watch it..especially the semi's/finals..but not the entire thing

But, this year I will be watching all of it..for Bourdon..thats for sure. This kid is going to be really good for the Canucks :)

[wildboy26]

I saw the Fog Devils play the Titans in Bathurst about a month ago. I find them a goonish team, but I guess when you are an expansion team you dont have as many skilled veteran players so you dont really have as much choice. Most of your skilled players are newcomers without the experience when you are an expansion team, and that is certainly the case with them. It must be dissapointing for Welshey Welcher to be unprotected by Moncton after being their 1st pick in the draft last QMJHL season. His play in the game I saw dissapointed me as well, I know he wont score every game, but he was almost invisable when he was on the ice compared to some other of his game.

I think Guilluame Latendresse will be there for the QMJHL. Luc Bourdon as well. Not sure how many else will be picked though. Perhaps none.

[Newfie John]

I saw the Fog Devils play the Titans in Bathurst about a month ago. I find them a goonish team, but I guess when you are an expansion team you dont have as many skilled veteran players so you dont really have as much choice. Most of your skilled players are newcomers without the experience when you are an expansion team, and that is certainly the case with them. It must be dissapointing for Welshey Welcher to be unprotected by Moncton after being their 1st pick in the draft last QMJHL season. His play in the game I saw dissapointed me as well, I know he wont score every game, but he was almost invisable when he was on the ice compared to some other of his game.

I think Guilluame Latendresse will be there for the QMJHL. Luc Bourdon as well. Not sure how many else will be picked though. Perhaps none.

Welcher has been playing well when I've seen him. He's a local boy so maybe his mothers cooking helps. The Fog Devils would be a much better team if we could have kept Niklas Bergfors, but he made the New Jersey Devils out of training camp and is now playing for Albany. He would have been among the leading scorers in the league, I have no doubt.

[wildboy26]

Welcher has been playing well when I've seen him. He's a local boy so maybe his mothers cooking helps. The Fog Devils would be a much better team if we could have kept Niklas Bergfors, but he made the New Jersey Devils out of training camp and is now playing for Albany. He would have been among the leading scorers in the league, I have no doubt.

I have heard about him some. I have not seen him play, but he was predicted to be one of the people to potentialy score 80+ points this year by a N.B paper who made a list of player who might do this with the new rules.
Too bad he is not here, since somebody like Guilluame Latendresse who was almost good enough to make the Montreal Canadians at training camp was not even sent to the AHL but back here when he didnt quite make it.

Welcher's stats look reasonable, he wasnt very good the game I saw him but one game is not a good indicator. It wasnt that he didnt score, since he isnt a player I expect to score every single game, but he looked invisable on the ice that night. Might have just been a bad night. He plays on the first line doesnt he? I am from Bathurst and see the Titan home games often, but always try to figure out the lines of the opposing team, and he seemed to be on the line that was out there the most.

[Newfie John]

I have heard about him some. I have not seen him play, but he was predicted to be one of the people to potentialy score 80+ points this year by a N.B paper who made a list of player who might do this with the new rules.
Too bad he is not here, since somebody like Guilluame Latendresse who was almost good enough to make the Montreal Canadians at training camp was not even sent to the AHL but back here when he didnt quite make it.

Welcher's stats look reasonable, he wasnt very good the game I saw him but one game is not a good indicator. It wasnt that he didnt score, since he isnt a player I expect to score every single game, but he looked invisable on the ice that night. Might have just been a bad night. He plays on the first line doesnt he? I am from Bathurst and see the Titan home games often, but always try to figure out the lines of the opposing team, and he seemed to be on the line that was out there the most.

Tough to find a top line for the Fog Devils.. Mike Brophy is our captain. Our 2nd round pick in the import draft is our best player. We suck.. Welcher is relishing(kind of) with top line minutes on a bad team. IMO, I don't think he's going very far with his hockey career. He could prove me wrong though.

[TimmyTabasco]

Mike Brophy is our captain. .

Well, that explains everything. Isn't he sort of old? :laughing: :boogie:

Off topic..apologies Mr. Mods..but..How is attendance for the Fog Devils?

[Newfie John]

Well, that explains everything. Isn't he sort of old? :laughing: :boogie:

Off topic..apologies Mr. Mods..but..How is attendance for the Fog Devils?

Yeah, Brophy is 20.

As for the attendance, it has some growing to do as it is at about 4500 to 5000. Fog Devils ownership's goal was to have it at around 3000 but it looks they've underestimated the fans here aswell. I haven't gone to nearly as many games as I did to see the baby leafs. Man I miss them. Without Wellwood and Telly I'm betting that they aren't much to watch.

[TimmyTabasco]

Yeah, Brophy is 20.

You missed the joke :no: :D

As for the attendance, it has some growing to do as it is at about 4500 to 5000. Fog Devils ownership's goal was to have it at around 3000 but it looks they've underestimated the fans here aswell. I haven't gone to nearly as many games as I did to see the baby leafs. Man I miss them. Without Wellwood and Telly I'm betting that they aren't much to watch.

Thats good to know. Hockey is huge for the restaurants/bars in downtown St.John's. So I guess not much play for you at the Delta, eh? :laughing:

[wildboy26]

The game I saw Welcher and Bachand played together 5-on-5. Langelier-Parent, Fillier, and Doyle, played together 5-on-5. On another line it was Sundh and Brophy.

[Newfie John]

The game I saw Welcher and Bachand played together 5-on-5. Langelier-Parent, Fillier, and Doyle, played together 5-on-5. On another line it was Sundh and Brophy.

On that night then it was the Sundh and Brophy line as the top line, and the second line with Bachand and Welcher.

Timmy, I haven't been hitting up the delta much this year. I bet that bartender is wondering where I went. Only a few more years and I bet would have gotten her. lol.

I get the brophy joke now.

[charlio lemieux]

1:48 PM EST, 12/05/2005
Thirty-Four players invited to Team Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp in Vancouver


VANCOUVER, BC (CP) -- Canada will be icing a young team at the world junior hockey championship later this month in B.C., judging from the Canadian selection camp roster announced Monday.

The tournament is considered a showcase of the world's best 19-year-old players, but more than half of Canada's selection camp roster is 18 or younger.

North Dakota forward Jonathan Toews, 17, and Quebec Remparts forward Angelo Esposito, 16, lower the average age further.

Hockey Canada has invited 34 players - four goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 18 forwards - to the junior team's selection camp starting Dec. 11 in Vancouver. Twenty-two will be named Dec. 16 to the team that opens the 2006 tournament against Finland on Dec. 26 in Vancouver.



Five players from U.S. colleges have been invited, which is the most in years from the NCAA ranks: forwards Toews, Dan Bertram (Boston College), Kris Chucko (Minnesota), Andrew Cogliano (Michigan) and defenceman Sasha Pokulok (Cornell). Usually, one or two college players are invited.





There are no players from the NHL or minor pro leagues on the roster. Sidney Crosby, 18, is eligible to play in the tournament for a third year, but Pittsburgh Penguins won't part with their leading scorer.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gilbert Brule, 18, is sidelined with a broken leg and will not be able to play for Canada.

Defenceman Cam Barker of the Medicine Hat Tigers is the lone returning player from the team that won the 2005 championship in Grand Forks, N.D. He didn't play in the semifinal or final because of mononucleosis.

Hockey Canada director of player personnel Blair Mackasey, in consultation with head coach Brent Sutter and assistants Craig Hartsburg and Clement Jodoin, chose the players for the camp roster.

Sutter will have size on his blue-line to choose from as 10 of the dozen defencemen are six foot one or taller.

There will be at least one goalie from the Western Hockey League on the Canadian team as three of the four invited are from the WHL: Calgary's Justin Pogge, Devan Dubnyk from Kamloops and Carey Price from Tri-City. Shawinigan's Julien Ellis from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is the other goalie invited.

The WHL's domination of the defence in recent years looks to be broken up as invitees Luc Bourdon and Kristopher Letang from Val-d'Or of the QMJHL and Sudbury's Marc Staal from the Ontario Hockey League are good bets to make the team.

Up front, David Bolland of the London Knights is the leading scorer in the OHL and Barrie's Bryan Little is in the top five.

Moose Jaw's Dustin Boyd, Saskatoon's Devin Setoguchi and Kelowna's Blake Comeau are among the top 10 in the WHL.

Esposito may be only 16, but he ranks fourth in scoring in the QMJHL and Drummondville's Guillaume Latendresse is among the top 10.

Other facts about the selection camp roster:

- There are 16 first-round NHL draft picks on the roster with Barker (Chicago, third overall) and Sudbury forward Benoit Pouliot (Minnesota, fourth overall) the highest.

- The Chicago Blackhawks have the most draft picks with four: Barker and forwards Bertram, Bolland and Michael Blunden.

- The WHL has the most players on the roster with 13 followed by the Ontario Hockey League with nine, the QMJHL with seven and the NCAA with five.

Brampton forward Wojtek Wolski, who played nine games for the NHL's Colorado Avalanche this year, and Kitchener forward Evan McGrath are notable absences from the selection camp roster.



Anybody got a favorite on the list?

[Newfie John]

From the other thread:

Justin Pogge, 3rd round steal. IMO, he's the starter for this team. I have no idea how Daniel Ryder IS NOT on this list. People complain about Wolski not being on the list but IMO he has no heart. If Esposito has a good camp, he could make it. But IMO, he's doubtful.

This team will be in the finals against the Americans IMO, who will win is the question.

[TimmyTabasco]

It will be good to see how well Bourdon plays, and also Price

Looking forward to the championship

[charlio lemieux]

Some good news for the Junior Nats.
10:45 PM EST, 12/06/2005
Star forward Evgeni Malkin not on Russian junior team's early roster


MOSCOW (CP) - Forward Evgeni Malkin, the second overall pick in last year's NHL draft, was not included on the preliminary roster of the Russian junior men's hockey team released Tuesday.

The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Malkin second in 2004 behind his countryman Alexander Ovechkin, who went to Washington. There was a report Malkin's participation in the 2006 world junior hockey championship in Vancouver had yet to be decided. He can be added to the roster before the tournament begins on Dec. 26.

With Malkin in the lineup, Russia would be one of the favourites to win gold and he would be one of the marquee players in Vancouver.

But the 19-year-old is also a strong candidate to play in the Olympic Games in February and the Russian federation may not want him to play in both tournaments.

His absence is not good for the Russian juniors, whose status as gold-medal contender lessens without their best player.

Malkin's inclusion would give the team 10 returning players from the team that lost to Canada in the 2005 final in Grand Forks, N.D.

Malkin was second in scoring behind Ovechkin at the 2005 tournament with three goals and seven assists in six games.

The six-foot-three, 186-pound forward has 13 goals and 18 assists in 30 games for Magnitogorsk in the Russian Super League.

Other players named to the Russian preliminary roster include forward Alexander Radulov, who plays for the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and is a first-round pick of the Nashville Predators, forward Roman Voloshenko of the AHL's Houston Aeros and goaltender Anton Khudobin of the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades.

They are veterans of the 2005 squad along with forwards Enver Lisin (Phoenix Coyotes), Denis Parshin (Colorado Avalanche), Mihail Yunkov (Washington), Sergei Shirokov and defencemen Alexei Yemelin (Montreal) and Anton Belov.

[Man.Utd]

Nope. Malkin will be there, head and shoulders above the others. Frolik (CZE) and Kessel (USA) are being touted as possible generations talents too. I'll definatly enjoy catching them play.

Report: Malkin to play for Russia in WJC

TORONTO (CP) - Russian star Evgeni Malkin will play for his country at the world junior championship later this month in B.C., according to the Globe and Mail.

Malkin, chosen second overvall by Pittsburgh in the 2004 entry draft behind fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin, originally was not going to play because the Russian Federation feared he had too much on his plate. He was already scheduled to take part in the Olympics in February and the Baltica Cup this weekend. Malkin's name was not on the original world junior roster released by the federation, but his coach at Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Canadian Dave King, confirmed that Malkin has been selected for the junior tournament.

"He is very excited about going," King told the Globe and Mail from Magnitogorsk. "He's just a great kid, with lots of enthusiasm for the game."
Related Info

King said when the original roster was submitted, there was a line at the bottom of the press release that read, `we hope to bring the Malkin situation to a positive conclusion.'

"When I saw that a couple of days ago, I recognized that we were going to lose him to the world junior," said King. "I'm happy for him, because he wants to play, and it's great for the hockey fans, because he is so good right now."

It's a huge boost for Russia, considered a gold medal favourite along with the United States. He leads the Russian league in goals (13) and points (31) and has his team in first place. The world junior championships runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Vancouver, Kamloops and Kelowna.

Also appearing for Russia will be Sens 2005 picks Anikeyenko and Zubov. Our 2004 second rounder Lyamin will be there too, he's expected to be a pivotal figure on their blueline.

[Newfie John]

For the leafs you have Tuuka Rask, Justin Pogge, Pavel Vorobiev(top d man for his team), Robbie Earl?(not sure if he's of age or not) and I think thats all thats going. There's probably a few of this years picks which i'm forgetting.

[Man.Utd]

Russian preliminary roster:

Goalies:
Khudobin
Kasutin
Demidov
Varlamov

Defencemen:
Lyamin
Belov
Bodrov
Emelin
Zubarev
Aksenenko
Buravchikov
Biryukov
Nikitin
Anikeyenko
Derlyuk
Amakhin

Forwards:
Malkin
Shirokov
Lemtyugov
Parshin
Ogorodnikov
Churilov
Lisin
Younkov
Ketov
Krysanov
Bumagin
Kulemin
Zubov
Goroshanky
Istomin
Schitikov
Makarov
Radulov
Voloshenko

(no Vorobriev, John. He's too old I think...... alot of '04 draftees are).

[Man.Utd]

The Americans have already cut down their roster and have determined the skaters they will be sending, unlike the Russians who obviously still have a few names to weed out. Again, I'm really looking forward to watching Kessel play. Sens pick Brian Lee and fellow NCAA standout Jack Johnson will be a great top-pairing for the Yanks. Schneider will be there for you Nucks fans, and Schremp will no doubt be followed closely by the Oilests. No Earl, John. Weller (another Sens draft pick) was passed on as well after making the squad last year and having a very strong season to date. No doubt dissapointing for him but I can't say he'd be more than a lateral movement over many of these guys. USA have to be the favorites this year.

Goalies:
Schneider
Frazee

Defensemen:
Chorney
J.Johnson
Butler
E.Johnson
Lee
Niskanen
Mitera

Forwards:
Oshie
Fritsche
Ryan
Davis
Porter
Paukovich
Wheeler
Schremp
Gerbe
Skille
Mueller
Kessel
Bourque

[Man.Utd]

The Fins have also made a final roster. They will be a dark horse for gold for sure with the States and Russia (plus Malkin) being involved. But have some intriguing names to watch and a very old roster, with many players returning from last year. Rask, with tons of potential. is another product of a currently red-hot Finnish goaltending program. Tukonen and Nokelainen are back again and much better, giving them a great top line so there's some star power. I don't know who'll play the them this time around (assuming they don't get broken up) but last year's top line of Tukonen-Nokelainen-Korpikoski was already buzzing against opposing defences. Canadian-clunb content features Leaf's 2005 1st rounder Tuuka Rask, Ottawa's 2005 4th rounder Janne Kolehmainen, and Calgary's Aki Seitsonen (also a 4th round selection, taken 3 spots below Kolehmainen at 118th overall).

Team Finland:

Goalies
1 RÄMÖ Karri 01.07.1986 Lahti 190 87 HPK
30 RASK Tuukka 10.03.1987 Savonlinna 189 78 Ilves

Defensemen
2 KOISTINEN Matti 18.01.1986 Outokumpu 181 89 Tappara
4 KORHONEN Risto 27.11.1986 Sotkamo 190 98 HPK
6 SEPPÄNEN Timo 22.07.1987 Helsinki 184 95 HIFK
7 LEPPÄNEN Erkka 25.11.1986 Jyväskylä 184 85 JYP
8 JOKINEN Juho 25.07.1986 Kalajoki 187 85 TuTo
14 LEINONEN Tommi 14.05.1987 Oulu 188 84 Kärpät
28 LAAKSO Teemu 27.08.1987 Tuusula 184 86 HIFK

Forwards
9 TUKONEN Lauri 01.09.1986 Hyvinkää 188 93 Los Angeles
10 ALIKOSKI Mikko 28.07.1986 Oulu 172 84 Kärpät
11 KOLEHMAINEN Janne 22.03.1986 Lappeenranta 190 99 SaiPa
13 WIRTANEN Petteri 28.05.1986 Hyvinkää 186 88 HPK
15 LINDGREN Perttu 26.08.1987 Tampere 184 85 Ilves
16 KOMAROV Leo 23.01.1987 Narva 178 82 Ässät
18 SEITSONEN Aki 05.02.1986 Riihimäki 188 90 Prince Albert Raiders
19 JOENSUU Jesse 05.10.1987 Pori 192 91 Ässät
21 SAILIO Jari 18.03.1986 Hyvinkää 179 79 HPK
23 LEHTONEN Mikko 01.04.1987 Espoo 193 90 Blues
24 SINISALO Tomas 15.01.1986 Philadelphia 180 85 Blues
25 KORPIKOSKI Lauri 28.07.1986 Turku 186 86 TPS
29 HEINO Henri 14.06.1986 Lahti 180 85 Pelicans

Good battle in net that I can't wait to see unfold. Both have good potential and are strong netminders for this tourney but Ramo is having much a better season (.940 SV%, 1.72 GAA), while Rask is probably the better raw goalie and although playing fine isn't having a carrer-high, all-star calibre type year like his counterpart. There have been rumblings that Rask will play against Canada and Switzerland, Rämö against USA and Norway and then a descision will be made for the #1.

[Newfie John]

Rask played against Ilves in a recent game in the finnish league. Rask's team won. I can't remember the exact stats but I think Rask had 35 saves on 36 shots and Ilves had 17 saves on 20 shots. I'd imagine scouts were there so whatever that effect has on it I don't know.

[charlio lemieux]

Nope. Malkin will be there, head and shoulders above the others. Frolik (CZE) and Kessel (USA) are being touted as possible generations talents too. I'll definatly enjoy catching them play.



Also appearing for Russia will be Sens 2005 picks Anikeyenko and Zubov. Our 2004 second rounder Lyamin will be there too, he's expected to be a pivotal figure on their blueline.

Figures Malkin would be in. Oh well, I want to see him play anyway. There was alot of people including the Pens who seemed to think this guy wasn't much of a drop in talent from Ovetchkin. I would like to see for myself.

[Man.Utd]

Figures Malkin would be in. Oh well, I want to see him play anyway. There was alot of people including the Pens who seemed to think this guy wasn't much of a drop in talent from Ovetchkin. I would like to see for myself.

You are correct, many thought he was only a shade below AO. And although I'm not one of those people, there's no denying he is one great hockey player. Since the draft, his stock has done nothing but rise exponentially. I can't wait to see him play.

[charlio lemieux]

You are correct, many thought he was only a shade below AO. And although I'm not one of those people, there's no denying he is one great hockey player. Since the draft, his stock has done nothing but rise exponentially. I can't wait to see him play.

Just as long as we don't have to watch him kick our canuck butts.:thumb: :D

[Newfie John]

I can't wait to see which Canadian players we're going to love. Will we see another Jordan Tootoo, or Dion Phaneuf, or Scottie Upshall?

[Newfie John]

Team Canada's roster was named. Toews made the squad, Esposito didn't. Pogge and Dubnyk made the roster, Pogge is expected to be the starter. 5 of the 6 defencemen are 18 year olds. Most of the team is 18 year olds. Looks like if we don't win it this year, we'll have another powerhouse for the year after.

[KB in Kelowna]

Canuck prospect Luc Bourdon made it as did Marc Staal (Sudbury Wolves) and Blake Comeau (Kelowna Rockets).

Edit: according to a wire service story both Bourdon and Comeau will be among the rotating Alternate Captains
http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/12/16/Sports/teamcanada051216.html

[slapshot™]

Before Canada gets set to defend its World Junior title, ESPN Classic spreads some holiday cheer with World Junior Weekend on December 24 and 25. Highlights include Wayne Gretzky netting a hat trick in his World Junior debut, five straight Championship titles for Canada in the nineties, and outstanding performances from future NHL stars including Jarome Iginla, Jose Theodore, Paul Kariya and many more.

Here is the television viewing schedule for the World Juniors -> Hockey Canada (http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/17820/la_id/1.htm)

All games on TSN. All non-exhibition games available in High Definition on TSN HD.

[Yoata]

Watching the exhibition game agaunst the Czechs, Pouliot just absolutely RAN OVER a guy along the boards.

Shmak got SHMACKED!

[Newfie John]

Yeah, a couple of pansy penalites from nice hits by Canadian players.

[Man.Utd]

Czech team got robbed. Literally.

http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/news_st...bname=world_jrs

That game was too late for my blood on a weekday as it was only exhibition play. I'll stay up when the games matter but good to see the boys win. Hopefully it'll be re-aired and I can catch it, even if it isn't live. Any standouts for either team?

[Amoroq]

I am so looking forward to watching

Saturday, December 24

12 noon ET – 1978 Round Robin:
Canada - USSR
(encore at 12 midnight ET
and Dec. 25 at 8 a.m. ET)

Gretzky's hat trick :)

[wildboy26]

This extremely good team may still not be quite as exceptional as last years team, but they seem to be every bit as physicaly imposing so far and that is something I did not expect. I can see why the much hyped Espositio, who is a slighter player physicaly at this point, was not picked for the team, he is very talented but would not fit too well into this team seeing them so far.

This reminds me of 03-04, alot were picking Canada to be only 3rd or 4th, and they turned out to be clearly one of the two best teams there, and probably the best team, even though they lost the final to the U.S one got the impression they would have won a series between the two. Last year we were everybody's pick. This year is similar to 03-04 but I have a feeling we are going to surprise alot of people, I would not be at all surprised if they are in the gold medal game in the end.

[Newfie John]

Won't be able to watch the game tonight as I'll be partaking in some partying and consuming large amounds of alcohol.

[wildboy26]

In a game vs Switzerland, you wont be missing much anyway. :)

[Newfie John]

Yeah, which stands the reason why I'm not overly concerned. If this was against the US, it would be a very tough decision.

[wildboy26]

Canada only beat Switzerland 4-3 but it was not as close as the score suggested. They took to many penalites, Switzerland were not even remotedly competitive 5-on-5, they were fighting hard just to contain Canada during those periods. Interstingly the U.S barely beat Finland 6-5, Canada looked dominant vs Finland, will be an interesting confrontation later.

[bluemeanie]

Anyone watching this? Canada? ...you here?

Anyhow... "personification of embelishment"??? Any one have a Mcguirian to English dictionary?

[bluemeanie]

C-O-N-T-R-O-V-E-R-S-Y :conspire:

[bluemeanie]

Well, I don't know... tough call... Rask over Pogge for the Best Goal Tender award. As a Canadian *ppftlllt*... but as a Leaf fan... Hey hey!

[charlio lemieux]

:dance: :dance: :toast: :gulppint: :groovy: :groovy:

Way to go guys!

[PDO]

C-O-N-T-R-O-V-E-R-S-Y :conspire:

Oh yeah.

Too bad to.. puts an unnecessary cloud over what could've been an amazing game (that first period.. wow.). That said.. WE WON. :boogie:

[a4l]

Just got back from watching the game. WoooHooooo.

[J.R.]

Too easy again.

I am shocked, considering much this team was talked down and how highly rated the Americans and Russians were before this tournament started.

I guess we're back to an era in Canadian junior hockey where we win even when are "best" isn't sent. Next year they should complete the three-peat.

Good job, boys!

[Canadian26]

I had my bro record it and I just watched it. What a game, it was hands down the best game of the turni. 5-0, which is amazing, this team wasnt even expected to get any metal let alone a shut out gold victory over the russians.

[Mel]

I was really glad to hear Marc Staal was named the tournament's top defenseman, despite the fact he didn't really do any scoring. I hear nothing but great things about this kid and some are saying he'll be NHL-ready next season.

If that's true, he will be warmly welcomed by the Rangers who are just a tad lacking on blue line depth. In fact they are so lacking, Staal could step right into the top pairing when he's ready, from the sound of it.

[PDO]

I was really glad to hear Marc Staal was named the tournament's top defenseman, despite the fact he didn't really do any scoring. I hear nothing but great things about this kid and some are saying he'll be NHL-ready next season.

If that's true, he will be warmly welcomed by the Rangers who are just a tad lacking on blue line depth. In fact they are so lacking, Staal could step right into the top pairing when he's ready, from the sound of it.

I was very high on Staal pre-draft, and was obviously disapoitned when he ended up going as early as he did, as many had him slipping into the 20's. The guy doesn't have a lot offensively; he won't be on your PP, and he probably won't ever get more than 20 points a season... that said; the guy was able to handle Evegeni Malkin 1 on 1 sevearl times throughout the gold medal game; even though he was giving up a year and (I believe) about 10 pounds to the best player not in the NHL. You have a lot to be excited about in Marc Staal.

[Mel]

I was very high on Staal pre-draft, and was obviously disapoitned when he ended up going as early as he did, as many had him slipping into the 20's. The guy doesn't have a lot offensively; he won't be on your PP, and he probably won't ever get more than 20 points a season... that said; the guy was able to handle Evegeni Malkin 1 on 1 sevearl times throughout the gold medal game; even though he was giving up a year and (I believe) about 10 pounds to the best player not in the NHL. You have a lot to be excited about in Marc Staal.
That's great to hear. Lack of scoring not a big deal. I remember years ago when the Rangers traded away Mattias Norstrom and I was pissed. He doesn't score much, but I'm sure they wish they kept him around.

The Rags still need to bring in a bona-fide PP QB, and from what you say Staal is not the answer. But they are so weak on defense... based on what I've heard, he'll be probably be in the NHL next year and matching up against top lines (perhaps with Kasparitis).

[PDO]

That's great to hear. Lack of scoring not a big deal. I remember years ago when the Rangers traded away Mattias Norstrom and I was pissed. He doesn't score much, but I'm sure they wish they kept him around.

The Rags still need to bring in a bona-fide PP QB, and from what you say Staal is not the answer. But they are so weak on defense... based on what I've heard, he'll be probably be in the NHL next year and matching up against top lines (perhaps with Kasparitis).

Kaspar would be a great player to pair him up with, teach him to be a bit more physical and mean. Get some vets in there and let him grow, cause he'll be a 25 minute a night minute muncher.

[Newfie John]

Staal really is going to be something IMO for a number of reasons. Most of which have been mentioned by PDO but I'd like to add the fact that his last name is "Staal".. lol

[wildboy26]

Staal was awesome, it was incredable to see how he and Parent completely nullified Kessel and Malkin(although I find Kessel far overhyped personaly). We will probably see another Staal making some noise in the NHL in a year or two.

[KB in Kelowna]

About Marc Stall in another thread in another place ;) I made fun of the Rangers for drafting the younger brothers of wellknown players ( Dominic Moore) saying that the LA Dogers had dome the same with no results. Marc Staal may make me eat my words, althoug some have felt that Luc Bourdon had just as good a tournament.

Just sound a note for another productive player Blake Comeau of the Kelowna Rockets had a great tournament on the PK and offensively. Sorry Mel he is an Islander pick.

[Newfie John]

About Marc Stall in another thread in another place ;) I made fun of the Rangers for drafting the younger brothers of wellknown players ( Dominic Moore) saying that the LA Dogers had dome the same with no results. Marc Staal may make me eat my words, althoug some have felt that Luc Bourdon had just as good a tournament.

Just sound a note for another productive player Blake Comeau of the Kelowna Rockets had a great tournament on the PK and offensively. Sorry Mel he is an Islander pick.

Bourdon was ok. He wasn't as consistant defensively as Staal was. Bourdon did make a few more mistakes, thankfully weren't detromental to the team.