WHO TO WATCH: Keep an eye on these 25 Hotshot kids @ WJ'S

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WHO TO WATCH
Keep an eye on these 25 hotshot kids...



December 25.2006
The top five scorers from the 2006 WJC that was held in British Columbia have all moved on to the pro ranks, but there will still be loads of talent on display in Sweden when this year's WJC tournament gets underway.

Moved on to pro careers are: American Phil Kessel, now with the NHL's Boston Bruins; Russia's Evgeni Malkin, now with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins; Finland's Lauri Tukonen, now with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs (L.A. Kings); Slovakia's Stanislav Lascek, now with the AHL's Springfield Falcons (Tampa Bay Lightning); and USA's Chris Bourque, now with the AHL's Hershey Bears. Moreover, Canadian goaltender Justin Pogge, who backstopped his club to the gold medal is now toiling for the AHL's Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs).

However, four of the six players named to last year's All-Tournament Team are back, with only Malkin and Tukonen not around in 2007. We look at players to watch at the 2007 WJC:

Nicklas Backstrom, C, Sweden
(Brynas IF Gavle of the Swedish Elitserien)
The sixth-leading scorer in last year's tournament may be the best player at this year's event, though there will be loads of pressure to perform as part of the host nation. Then again, Backstrom seems to be handling the pressure of playing in a men's league quite well, as he enters the WJC as the leading scorer in the Elitserien. He'll be in the NHL at this time next year.

Reto Berra, G, Switzerland
(GCK Lions Zurich of the Swiss National Liga B)
Berra should be entering his second WJC with confidence, after a fine performance for the Swiss in Canada last year. A fourth-round draft pick of St. Louis Blues (No. 106 overall) last June, Berra has a chance to impress the St. Louis brass and get in line for the mantra of 'goaltender of the future' in the organization. His impressive skills and projectable frame force people to take notice.

Luc Bourdon, D, Canada
(Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL)
The 19-year-old Bourdon cracked the Canucks' opening-night roster this season, but was returned to Moncton following a nine-game trial. He was more impressive in his first training camp with Vancouver in 2005, and started to regress as his time with the 'Nucks came to an end. In Sweden, Bourdon needs to play more like the All-Tournament Team selection of a year ago.

Steve Downie, RW, Canada
(Peterborough Petes of the OHL)
A member of Canada's gold-medal squad last year, Downie was part of arguably the team's best line last year--along with the graduated Blake Comeau and Dustin Boyd. He's at his best when he's driving the opposition crazy. However, the key to Downie's success is playing under control. After Malkin and Tukonen, Downie was the third forward on last year's All-Tournament Team.

Martin Hanzal, C/W, Czech Republic
(Red Deer Rebels of the WHL)
Few players disappointed more than Hanzal in B.C. last year, after he was drafted 17th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2005. A lack of ice time was at the root of the problem last year, so Hanzal moved to the WHL this year. The move has paid off in spades, as he's now the leading scorer in the league heading into the WJC. He figures to lead a strong crop of Czech forwards.

Leland Irving, G, Canada
(Everett Silvertips of the WHL)
The leading goaltender in the Western Hockey League this season, Irving is expected to see the bulk of the workload for Team Canada--ahead of Montreal Canadiens prospect Carey Price. Irving, the heir apparent to Miikka Kiprusoff with the Calgary Flames, has lofty shoes to fill in his immediate future as well--as Pogge's replacement. He may be the tournament's best goalkeeper.

Erik Johnson, D, USA
(University of Minnesota of the WCHA)
Last year in B.C., Johnson performed so well that it raised his stock to the top of the draft board, as he wound up going first overall to the St. Louis Blues in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He's the total package, and is seen as one of the keys to victory for the Americans once again. Chances are, this will be Johnson's final WJC, since he's expected to turn pro after his freshman year.
Jack Johnson, D, USA
(University of Michigan of the CCHA)
The 19-year-old Johnson, no relation to Erik Johnson, will also be appearing in his second WJC tournament--but first as a member of the Los Angeles Kings organization. Acquired by the Kings at the end of September from the Carolina Hurricanes, Johnson was named to the 2006 All-Tournament Team. This year, he'll try to prove he's still the best USA blueliner named Johnson.

Patrick Kane, RW/LW, USA
(London Knights of the OHL)
Kane hasn't let his slight stature (5-10, 165 pounds) prevent him from leading the Ontario Hockey League in scoring as a rookie this season. Therefore, even NHL scouts will have to take notice sooner or later. A strong showing at this year's WJC may go a long way towards enhancing Kane's draft stock for next June's selection process.

Sergei Kostitsyn, C/W, Belarus
(London Knights of the OHL)
The Belorussians won't be winning anything in this tournament, but keep an eye on Kostitsyn. The Montreal Canadiens' draftee will be making his second appearance in the WJC, after appearing in the 2005 tournament in the United States. He led all OHL rookies in scoring last year, and is once again putting up good numbers with the Knights. He should put up points.

Kristopher Letang, D, Canada
(Val d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL)
Letang would rather be toiling for the Pittsburgh Penguins right now, but being named captain of the Canadian WJC squad is a nice consolation prize. He saw action in seven games with the Pens earlier this season and even scored his first two NHL goals. Look for Letang to team with Bourdon on Canada's first defense pairing. He may wind up as the tourney's top blueline scorer.

Bryan Little, C, Canada
(Barrie Colts of the OHL)
Little didn't make the 2006 team, so he enters this year's tournament with a little chip on his shoulder and something to prove. The Atlanta Thrashers prospect is a good candidate to play regularly in the NHL next season, so a strong tournament showing may secure his standing within the Atlanta organization. He's one of the top players in the OHL and a dynamic offensive force.

Peter Mueller, C, USA
(Everett Silvertips of the WHL)
Mueller almost made the Phoenix Coyotes out of training camp, so he's obviously close to making an impact at the NHL level. For now, he'll try to duplicate his 2006 WJC showing (7 GP, 2-4-6, +1, 26 PIM) for an American team that will be looking at him for offense. He's been a standout in the 'Dub' in his second season at Everett, and is a good bet to be in Phoenix soon.

Kyle Okposo, RW, USA
(University of Minnesota of the WCHA)
The No. 7 overall pick by the New York Islanders last June, Okposo is entering his first WJC tournament. He currently leads all NCAA freshmen in goals (15) for the Golden Gophers, and should get plenty of ice time for the Americans in Sweden. A former standout in the USHL, Okposo may make an impact at this year's WJC if he adjusts quickly to the tourney pressure.

Ondrej Pavelec, C, Czech Republic
(Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL)
A year ago, Pavelec didn't make the Czech team--mainly due to the presence of St. Louis Blues prospect Marek Schwarz. However, Pavelec posted outstanding numbers as a CHL rookie last year, and is doing it again for the Screaming Eagles in 2006-07 (21 GP, 13-6, 3.32 GAA, .885 Sv%)--albeit not nearly as good as his rookie campaign. He's the Czechs' best hope for a medal.

Tuukka Rask, G, Finland
(Ilves Tampere of the SM-Liiga)
Despite the fact Justin Pogge was outstanding for Canada in their gold-medal triumph last year, it was Rask that was actually named to the 2006 All-Tournament Team. Since then, Rask's NHL rights were dealt from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Boston Bruins. Therefore, the 19-year-old Finn should be plenty motivated to prove the Leafs made a mistake. This will be his third WJC.

Marc Staal, D, Canada
(Sudbury Wolves of the OHL)
While two of his brothers (Carolina's Eric and Pittsburgh's Jordan) continue to make their mark on the NHL, Marc is gunning for his second consecutive gold medal at the WJC. His smooth, effortless game should help defensive matters in the pressure-cooker that is the WJC. Staal hasn't put up great offensive numbers in Sudbury this season, but that may change in Sweden.

Jonathan Toews, C, Canada
(University of North Dakota of the WCHA)
Look for Toews to become an even bigger part of the Canadian offense in his second go-around with the club. The Chicago Blackhawks' first rounder last June (No. 3 overall) has been a point-per-game player with the Fighting Sioux, but also doubles as a great checker--which adds to his overall value. Therefore, expect Toews to be given a major role on Team Canada in Sweden.

Semen Varlamov, G, Russia
(Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Superleague)
It's rare for a Russian goalkeeper to garner a lot of attention at a high-profile tournament such as the WJC, but Varlamov appears to be the exception to the rule. A first-round draft pick by the Washington Capitals last June (No. 23 overall), Varlamov could be the best player on a relatively weak Russian squad this time around. He's the heir apparent to Olaf Kolzig with Washington.

Jakub Voracek, RW, Czech Republic
(Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL)
Many see Voracek as the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He currently leads all QMJHL rookies with 28 assists and 42 points this season. However, he must quickly adapt to the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight as a WJC rookie in Sweden. If Voracek produces, it could propel him much like last year's tourney launched Erik Johnson.

Honorable Mentions
Nicklas Bergfors, RW, Sweden (Lowell Devils of the AHL; Andrew Cogliano, C, Canada (University of Michigan of the CCHA); Perttu Lindgren, C, Finland (Ilves Tampere of the SM-Liiga); Jiri Tlusty, C/LW, Czech Republic (Ste. Sault Marie Greyhounds of the OHL); James Van Riemsdyk, LW, USA (USNTDP of the NAHL).

From: http://forecaster.cbc.ca/cbc/hockey/ext ... watch-2007

Also Check out: http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/