U-17 Hockey Challenge: Slovakia and Germany

In a multi-part series, McKeen's Director of Scouting David Burstyn looks at all ten teams who participated at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, profiling key players and providing grades for teams in all categories. Team Slovakia who finished tenth and Team Germany who finished ninth are featured in Part 1.

This tournament provides not only NHL scouts with a first hand look at the best 1991-born players but it also helps Hockey Canada and other countries to identify players who will one day lead them in other international events including the Under 18 and the WJC. The 2007 NHL Entry Draft produced 20 first round picks that had played in this tournament including the top six selections; Patrick Kane, James Van Riemsdyk, Kyle Turris, Thomas Hickey, Karl Alzner and Sam Gagner.

Team Slovakia - 10th Place

The Slovaks finished the tournament in tenth place, as they were the only team not to register a win. They had competed in two tournaments prior to the Under 17 including a fourth place finish at the Five Nations Cup and a third place finish at the Under 17 Four Nations Cup. Heavily out matched from the onset of the tournament, the Slovaks were outscored 32-10 while posting a 0-5 record.

Forwards

Production came from the PP, as they scored 36 percent of their goals with the man advantage. The PP unit consisted of team captain Dalibor Bortnak, and speedy wingers Juraj Majadan and Miroslav Preisinger. They were the only redeeming players on this weak Slovakian team. They were able to generate good pressure with time and space but were very ineffective in tight-checking games. The forwards were a mixture of big slow players and small, underdeveloped ones that were easily knocked-off pucks. Their inability to win battles along the glass proved too costly in all games played.

Grade: D-

Defense

Only two blueliners scored a goal, as they lacked a true PP pointman with a hard shot. The defense was easily confused and struggled to contain forwards in both open ice and down low. As a result, they surrendered many shots from in close leaving their goalies out to dry in all games. Several of their bigger defenseman lacked foot speed and their overall mobility was not on par with the rest of world's best Under 17 players.

Grade: D-

Goaltending

Although the statistics will suggest otherwise, the goaltending tandem of Juraj Gasparovic and Tomas Pek was not the problem. They did their best to keep their team in most contests despite being heavily out shot in all games. Gasparovic was good in a game against Team Quebec where he saved 57 in a losing effort. He posted a horrific 5.54 G.A.A but his partner was no better, as Pek recorded an 8.18 G.A.A.

Grade: D

This team was far from competitive, which does not bode well for Slovakia's chances in future international tournaments, as this core nucleus of 1991-born players simply cannot cut it. The Slovaks have not produced a first round pick since 2000 in Marian Gaborik and this team shows very little potential in terms of NHL draft-eligible prospects next year.

Overall Grade: D-

Scouting Notes

Dalibor Bortnak (2009), C, HK Liberec

Captain led the team in scoring with 5-2-2-4 totals and was a fixture on the PP .. tallest member on Team Slovakia had size and presence .. long thick stride to eat up ice but was an average skater in terms of first-step quickness and overall acceleration .. showed some tenacity to engage in the corners but balance and overall strength were simply not there .. puck-handling skills were very weak, as he could not hold onto the puck for long periods due to inability to escape pressing forwards .. slow reaction time crippled his defensive game .. able to identify his man but unable to get into position for proper coverage .. when he was able to catch up to guys, he simply smothered them with his imposing frame .. he used his reach to the best of his advantage to create scoring opportunities and never gave up on plays .. without the puck, he was a liability, as he simply did not know where to go .. the international game moved too fast for him.

Juraj Majadan (2009), RW, HK 36 Skalica

Smaller pivot had the quickest feet on Team Slovakia and buzzed all around the net in the offensive zone .. quick stick and lively first step contributed to a team high two goals in the tournament .. he does not have rink length speed but in small spaces, he was effective with quick bursts of speed .. he put himself into uncompromising positions and was easily hit in open ice .. he showed apprehension in the later stages of some contests, as the hits certainly took a toll on him .. his defensive game is not overly mature but he does do an admirable job of at least getting his stick into shooting lanes .. offensive-minded player who eagerly pushes up for offense and sets up well to take a shot .. his size was his biggest deterrent, as he was unable to penetrate healthy scoring areas without being molested or knocked off his skates.

Miroslav Preisinger (2009), RW, Slovan Bratislava

The best offensive threat for Team Slovakia, as he tied the team lead in scoring with 4-2-2-4 totals .. a threat to score on the PP due to his anticipation and modest skill set .. he exhibits patience and will out weight the opposition with a pass that can slice through defensive zone coverage and onto the stick of his teammate .. he works diligently in the offensive zone, creating down low and actively moving in and out of the slot .. has the self-preservation skill not to stay there and recognize a hit when it is coming .. he slows down at times when picking up the puck in the neutral zone for an offensive rush .. he is wiry but not physically tough .. he attempts to stand up his man at the line and shows signs of sticking up for himself .. he needs to improve on his overall strength, as he is not strong on his stick and is pried off the puck far too often.

Team Germany – 9th Place

Prior to the Under 17, the Germans played in the Five Nations Cup and surprised everyone by beating the Czechs. In this tournament, they delivered another shocking upset when they defeated Team USA in round robin play. They competed in most games, as they played an OK cycle game and did a good job of keeping the puck deep in the opposition's zone. The problem lied in their inability to bury their chances, as their PP was brutal converting on only one goal throughout the entire tournament.

Forwards

The forward unit had some decent size up front unfortunately, they lacked a true burner or gifted playmaker. They were an average group who only managed to score seven goals amongst them in four round robin games. Tom Kuhnhacki was the most productive player up front, as he scored the GWG against Team USA and posted 4-4-1-5 totals. As a 1992 born forward, he shows the most promise.

Grade: D

Defense

The backend was also equipped with size but lacked a true PP producer. Marc Kohl led the team in scoring and was their closest thing to a mobile puck-rushing defenseman but has very limited upside as a NHL prospect. The team employed a simple approach to defending, as they opted to ice the puck and throw it off the glass when they were pressured.

Grade: D-

Goaltending

About the only redeeming player on this team was Philipp Grubauer. He started in all the games and was named Player-of-the-Game three times. He stood on his head and faced an average of 40-plus shots a game. He single handily beat the Americans, as he stymied them in the first period after Team USA out shot Germany 19-5. His mental composure and ability to bounce back from a goal were paramount to saving Germany the embarrassment of finishing in last.

Grade: A

The majority of Team Germany is made up of players from the DNL, the top youth league in Germany. These tournaments give the program a chance to see where help is most needed and addressing the forward unit might be a good start.

Overall Grade: D+

Scouting Notes

Philipp Grubauer (2010), G, Star Bulls Rosenheim

Outstanding performances in every game, as he was peppered with shots and came up big every time .. a small goalie that plays his angles well and is highly athletic .. his down-low coverage is flawless, as he closes up his stance and offers shooters very little too shoot at .. acrobatic goalie that moves well laterally .. stays low to the ice and is able to kick out his pads, as they are very lively .. challenges shooters and comes out of the paint to make a save .. patient with many shooters, he forces them to make the first move rather than scrambling and relying on his reflexes .. very small and lean, his technique does not take much out of him physically, as he is always in position .. he has good reflexes for his size to make the next save, something he was often forced to do .. equipped with a good glove hand and an active blocker .. he could do a better job of coming out of his net and playing the puck .. Grubaeur could very well be honing his skills in the CHL in the next few seasons to make him a legitimate NHL prospect by facing better shooters, while also improving his confidence playing on teams that are more competitive.