U17 WHC: Toews Top Performer

For the first time in the history of the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, all four teams in the medal round were from Canada. Team West, aided by two goals by Jonathan Toews including the game winner, defeated perennial bridesmaids Team Pacific 3-1 in the gold-medal game. Team Atlantic captured the bronze, their first ever medal at the event, beating the defending champions from Ontario 5-4.

Dec. 29/04 - Jan. 4/05; Lethbridge, Alberta

STANDINGS:

1st West

2nd Pacific

3rd Atlantic

4th Ontario

5th USA

6th Finland

7th Czech Republic

8th Slovakia

9th Quebec

10th Germany

Top Performers: (alphabetical)

Benjamin Breault (Quebec):

Seemed to be a step ahead of his teammates both physically and mentally. Elite vision and soft hands largely wasted on inferior linemates.

Erik Johnson (USA):

Rugged blueliner combined pinpoint breakout passes with bone-jarring open-ice hits.

Martin Latal (Czech Republic):

Arguably the best skater at the event, Latal's turbo-charged forays into

the offensive zone only resulted in two goals, but he never failed to

entertain.

Ben Maxwell (Pacific):

Speedy forward fed tape-to-tape passes and used his elite vision throughout. Especially dangerous quarterbacking the powerplay.

Tibor Radulay (Slovakia):

Tireless Slovak team captain has everything except a top gear and was

one of team's few bright spots.

James Sheppard (Atlantic):

Sophisticated center used his condor-like wingspan to create turnovers, and

his silky smooth hands to score from anywhere and everywhere on the ice.

Marek Simko (Slovakia):

Flashy goaltender's highlight-reel saves and boneheaded puckhandling

attempts reminded some of Arturs Irbe.

Jordan Staal (Ontario):

At times carried the team on his back. Few players displayed the

fabulous blend of strength and skill that he was able to present throughout the

event.

Tyler Swystun (Pacific):

A bit of an unknown commodity playing in the AJHL, his breakout

performance and chemistry with Ben Maxwell caught everyone's eye.

Jonathan Toews (West):

The slick-skating goal scorer from Shattuck St. Mary's led Team West

with timely goals and lived up to hype of being a first-overall WHL Bantam Draft selection (`03).