Draft Update: Canada Review

Took care of Slovakia in the quarter finals, largely due to Kyle Chipchura’s heroics .. didn’t put up much of a fight against Russia in the semis and were outworked in the bronze medal match against Czech Republic.

Key Player notes:

Devan Dubnyk, G

Tall and thin .. just swallows up the net when he stands there .. when he sees a shot, he'll stop it; you don't really see weak stuff get by him .. surprisingly quick and controlled the rebounds very well .. a solid puck handling goalie, although not an exceptional one .. played in all games for Canada, showing glimpses of magnificence early in the event .. unravelled in the medal round allowing five goals against the talented Russians .. nonetheless an encouraging showing.

U18 WC Totals (6 GP, 3-3-0, 2.02, 1 SO, .917

Andy Rogers, D

In control of his body, but more muscle must be added to the package .. must learn to maintain his focus; bad defensive decisions have led to unnecessary penalties .. boasted the hardest blast from the point at the tournament .. raised eyebrows with a marker on a nasty slapper from the point shot against Sweden, yet it was his only one in Minsk .. accuracy is one reason for his lack of goalscoring; once he unleashes the shot, there’s no telling where it will go .. poise and confidence need work; gets discouraged too easily when something doesn’t go his way .. hasn’t yet learned to utilize his speed enough; his agility deceives the eye.

U18 WC Totals (7-1-2-3-26 -1)

Wes O’Neill, D

Heavy defender is a rock in his own end .. strong on the puck and distributes it accurately .. accelerates well, but has to develop a quicker burst in the first few strides .. a fixture on the powerplay throughout the tournament .. positionally solid and played his body well physically, but wasn’t overpowering .. kept it simple for much of the tournament in the offensive end.

U18 WC Totals (7-1-1-2-2 +4)

Kyle Chipchura, C

Consistency is the missing link .. adjustment to the bigger ice surface give him some trouble .. flashed extraordinary talent, but just when he looked like he was about to take control, he let up .. carries the puck very fluidly with good strength .. very good hockey sense and above-average vision .. quarterbacked the Canadian powerplay in the medal round; was a hit with the puck against Slovakia.

U18 WC Totals (7-3-2-5-28 0)

Liam Reddox, LW

Impressed greatly, although we’re not buying into the hype after seeing him with Peterborough earlier this year .. we like the intensity to his game; he attacked the net and didn’t stand still .. good creativity and an excellent stickhandler .. skating looks better than in previous viewings; still a little rough .. very soft hands, especially near the net.

U18 WC Totals (7-6-1-7-6 +5)