Looking Back at WHLers at the U-18 World Cup
Here is a quick synopsis on how the WHL players did at the World Junior Cup:
Devan Dubnyk: didn't record his best showing, was burnt badly especially in the bronze medal game against the Czech Republic. His feet look a little slow and needs to work on his puckhandling, but covers lots of net and stays square to the shooter.
Advertisement
Cam Barker: looked very good, other than the last game. Reads the play very well, great passer, solid toughness, but his shots could be more accurate.
Andy Rogers: solid showing, is very mobile for a player of his size, very good shooting skills, uses his frame quite well, could work on his passing.
Brett Festerling: pretty average, but his play got better as the tournament went along … filled more of a defensive role … decent passing skills … should work on improving his shot and play with a bigger edge.
Mark Fistric: looked good, solid defensively, plays a safe game, good toughness, solid shooting skills … needs to work on the offensive side of his game and improve his skating.
Michael Funk: average showing, played more of a defensive role, solid positional play, decent toughness … needs to work on his skating skills and the accuracy of his shots.
David Schulz: not the best showing, could show a bigger vision and fire the pucks with a better accuracy, decent defensive zone coverage, has decent offensive upside, solid skater
Blake Comeau: solid showing, didn't refuse to help out the defense and perform in traffic, solid skater, adequate vision, good toughness, solid puckhandling
Eric Hunter: solid showing, good skater, plays good in traffic, drives to the net, solid puckhandling, could upgrade his shooting skills, adequate vision
Kyle Chipchura: was expected to be one of the leaders and didn't fully live to this, played a gritty game, but wasn't much of a factor offensively, solid toughness and traffic play, also aware defensively
Wacey Rabbit: good tournament for him, very agile and energetic, generates good scoring chances, very good skater and solid stickhandler, nice vision, could play tougher and be more aware defensively
John Lammers: a solid showing, good vision, decent skater who could use more speed, solid puckhandling and shooting skills, doesn't shy away from traffic, also contributed defensively.