IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (Dec. 29-Jan. 4) Sweden Wins It
One of the russian forwards must be there. Svechnikov or Lazarev.
My forwards would've been Lindblom, Svechnikov and between Nylander(best SWE forward seen as a whole tournament) or Franzen(4p & GWG in the final and 2nd overall in the tournament scoring race) for the 3rd spot. Not because the other guys weren't good, but because that's the nature of a tournament like this and the power of reaching the finals. Can't say much about the D's and G though. Ollas Mattsson was a physical force for Sweden, and put up a decent amount of offense aswell. Billia was the only reason Quebec made the semis.
Of the players that played last night, how many will be in the WJC in the coming years?
From Sweden I think Nylander has a pretty good chance of making the WJC team already next year. Players like Lindblom and Anton Karlsson have an outside chance I think. A bit off-topic, but Sweden's best 96-born defenseman Rasmus Andersson didn't participate in this tournament. He has a pretty good chance of making the WJC team next year.
granted i've only seen some the games of this tournament, but he was easily the most impressive forward imho.
of the 3 all star forwards, i think 1 needed to be McDavid and another one should have been Nylander.
Not sure about the 3rd one.
Despite being good Svechnikov showed some flaws, however he also had some great and clutch plays that were pivotal in bringing his team this far so you could make a case for him, but hard to have any problems with Lindblom there.
Nylander, Lindblom, Kempe and to a degree Anton Karlsson were the players on Sweden that I found impressive.
Their skill level was incredible and it made up for the shoddy play of some other players.
Congrats to Sweden!
I wish I had watched more of the games. This was my first time ever watching an under 17 game, which is kind of weird since I follow prospects pretty closely.
It is too bad that the tournament is on at the same time of the year as the WJC or it might get more attention. Or maybe not... I doubt anyone but hardcore fans would watch it.
Can't expect much at the U17 as we send 5 teams and the other countries only one. Personally feels this hurts Canada's future International teams(WJCs) as they don't get to play together much when all the countries have most of their players playing together once a year. Another example is the Super Series, one Russian team vs three different league teams.
Can't expect much at the U17 as we send 5 teams and the other countries only one. Personally feels this hurts Canada's future International teams(WJCs) as they don't get to play together much when all the countries have most of their players playing together once a year. Another example is the Super Series, one Russian team vs three different league teams.
That's a valid point. Would be very interesting to see if Hockey Canada makes some changes to their team selection at upcoming World Under-17 events.
Can't expect much at the U17 as we send 5 teams and the other countries only one.
Actually, this is an advantage, not a disadvantage. All it takes to knock off one team is a bad day. To keep five teams off the podium (with major talent spread out the way it is) is somewhat of a national embarrassment.
And no one complained about this when Canada was winning this event one year after another, with alternating victors.
There were many years where the Swedes and Russians did not participate. In those years the US and the top Canadian teams dominated. If all the top international teams participate every year it will inevitably be harder for North American teams to expect the same kind of success. As a fan of the US team I certainly prefer years where all the top teams participate. It made the victory in 2010 sweeter and it would make any success going forward equally as sweet. I'd think Canadians should have the same feelings on the matter, though if I were them I'd want to see 3 teams instead of 5.
There were many years where the Swedes and Russians did not participate. In those years the US and the top Canadian teams dominated. If all the top international teams participate every year it will inevitably be harder for North American teams to expect the same kind of success. As a fan of the US team I certainly prefer years where all the top teams participate. It made the victory in 2010 sweeter and it would make any success going forward equally as sweet. I'd think Canadians should have the same feelings on the matter, though if I were them I'd want to see 3 teams instead of 5.
That and Canada's system isn't what it used to be. Regardless, this format helps, not hurts, their chances.
That and Canada's system isn't what it used to be. Regardless, this format helps, not hurts, their chances.
Don't see how this format helps, sending more teams only dilutes the talent pool. If Russian, Sweden and US are sending their best than Canada should reduce the number teams. I do realize that five teams is larger cash cow than three would be for Hockey Canada, and that is probably one large reason they will maintain five.
It's only U17. The regional teams give many more players the opportunity to develop by playing at higher levels. Different growth curves for different styles of players body types and everything else. Why continue to eliminate the number of players playing the game at such an early age.
Funny how everybody thinks they need to take down the best. Next time we win should we skate by your bench and taunt your players or perhaps we should just take the net off it's moorings an d leave handy for the last two minutes of the game. Putz!
