Reply With QuoteApologies for the long read. Pick and choose which player you read about.
However, I strongly urge you to watch the video at the bottom of Matt Campagna's penalty shot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-5YlSrzL8c
[Tea Time Scouting] 2011 Under 17 Championship Recap
The U17 is a great tournament to follow to see who just might make an impact in future World Junior Championships
I was able to watch the U17 Championship game last night on TSN between Team Ontario and defending U17 champions Team USA.
Both teams came into the game undefeated. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch any of the other games but from examining the statistics (team and individual) it looked as though Team USA iced a very talented squad with lots of individual talent.
Team Ontario allowed the fewest goals in the tournament's round robin rounds with 7 GA in 5GP. Clearly, they played a strong team system and had good goaltending from their starter Daniel Altshuller.
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Ontario's G - Daniel Altshuller started every game for Team Ontario and posted a VERY IMPRESSIVE .947SV%, 1.39 GAA and 2 SO in 5 GP. Keep an eye on this kid. Altshuller struggled with a few USA goals that seemed to beat him high blocker. He will need to work on this area as it was clear that Team USA was targeting his blocker.
Other general observations:
- There were lots of players in last nights game that had family connections throughout hockey and I will touch on a few of them below.
Ontario's D - Alex Gudbranson - Alex is the brother of 2010 Florida's 3rd overall draft pick Erik Gudbranson. He looks like a solid shutdown defender but doesn't have the offensive upside that his elder brother "could" possess. He plays the game hard and finishes every check. Gudbrason finished with 1 assist in 6GP
Projection: Shutdown Dman
Ontario's F - Kerby Rychel - Kerby is the son of former NHLer and current Windsor Spit's GM Warren Rychel. Kerby had a strong U17 tournament as he finished 2nd in Team Ontario scoring with 3G, 4A, 7P in 6GP. Kerby Rychel was named Team Ontario's player of the game last night as he notched 3 point's in Ontario's gold medal win. At only 16, Rychel already stands at 6'0" and 200lbs so if he can hone his on-ice skills he could turn out to be a solid player. Kerby will join his father in Windsor following this tournament after being traded from Missausaga today.
Projection: Power Forward
Ontarios F - Brendan Gaunce - The 2nd overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft is the younger brother of Cameron Gauce (Colorado Defensive Prospect). He plays for Belleville of the OHL and is touted to go in the early rounds of the 2012 NHL Draft. Gaunce is a very well rounded hockey player with above average hockey IQ. Gaunce spends a lot of time on special teams and rarely makes mistakes - GMs will love this. Brendan tallied 3G, 1A and 18PIM in the tournament
Projection: 2 Way Forward
Ontario's D - Adam Pelech - Adam is the younger brother of Calgary Flames' draft pick Matt Pelech (1st Round Draft Pick, 2005) and Mike Pelech (LAK Draft Pick. The Pelech brothers are also the nephews of Canucks GM Mike Gillis so their bloodlines run deep in hockey. Adam Pelech is already a big boy (6'2", 210 lbs) and some have already compared his style to Chris Pronger. Clearly, Adam has a long way to go to warrant any Pronger comparisons but Adam is already projected as a shutdown dman who possesses above average offensive capabilities.
Pelech currently plays for the Erie Otters of the OHL and was their 2nd Round selection (22nd overall) in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Pelech had one assist in the tournament but played a key shutdown role throughout their run.
Projection: Shutdown Defenseman with Offensive Abilities
USA's F - Henrik Samuelsson - Henrik is one of Ulf Samuelsson's two sons. I was quite impressed with Henrik's puck skills and aggressive attack throughout the game. Henrik finished 3rd in tournament round robin scoring with 6G, 4A, 10P in 6GP. He also contributed 10 PIM and I believe he could be a very highly touted 2012 NHL Draft Pick. In my opinion, Samuelsson was the one forward (on both teams) that created several scoring chances all by himself.
Projection: Top Line Forward
USA's F - Quentin Shore - Quentin is the brother of current WJC player Drew Shore. Quentin scored a beautiful goal of a wicked shot from the top of the circle last night. Shore created chances throughout the entire game and he was one of Team USA's top players. Quentin currently plays with his older brother Drew at Denver University. Quentin had 3 assists in the U17 tournament.
Projection: 2 Way Forward
Now, with the family connections out of the way, here are some other players worth watching for the future. These kids really turned my head.
USA's D - Seth Jones - As a defenseman, I was very very very impressed with Jone's gameplay. Seth is a great skater and was creating chances for Team USA all game long. Seth was the USA player of the game last night.
Jones is a tall lanky kid (6'4", 180 lbs). Once he fills out that large frame, he will be a force to be reckoned with, especially since he's a great skater. Last night Jones displayed elite puck skills, great decision making and a hard accurate shot. If he continues on this development he will surely become a defenseman to own. Seth Jones was drafted by the WHL's Everett Silvertips back in the 2009 Bantam Draft. Everett took a chance with one of their two 1st round picks but Jones later decided to play for the National Team Development Program. Huge loss for Everett.
Seth is eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft so he still has lots of time to develop. He's going to be a thorn in Canada's side during international play - my guess only.
Projection: Elite Offensive Defenseman capable of logging large minutes.
Ontario's F - Sean Monahan - Sean had a three point night last night versus the USA and was buzzing all night long. He was playing with Rychel and they showed good chemistry. In the round robin rounds, Monahan led Team Ontario in scoring with 5G, 2A and 7P in 5GP. This speedy center appears to play a strong north-south game (kind of like Eric Staal). Monahan stands at 6'1" and weighs 180 lbs so he has the potential to become a powerful NHLer as he grows into his body. Sean showed that his skating is polished and welcomes the opportunity to use his puck handling to take on an opponent. Monahan is DEFINITELY a kid to watch for future Team Canada Rosters and as his draft year approaches (2013) we will be hearing a lot about this kid.
Projection: Top Line Finesse Center
Pacific's D - Matt Dumba - Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch any live action from this 1st Round, 4th overall Red Deer Rebels draft pick of the WHL. Dumba led the U17 tournament in scoring as a defenseman with 12 assists in 6GP. He seems to have good size for a 16 year old defenseman (6'0, 200lbs). Matt Dumba is on my radar now and I look forward to learning more about him
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Projection: Offensive Defenseman (my best guess based on stats)
There are lots of other players who had a great 2011 U17 Tournament but those were just a few who I was impressed with
As a BONUS, check out Matt Campagna's penalty shot goal to put Canada up 5-3 (Sudbury Wolves player)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-5YlSrzL8c
Last edited by Dean Youngblood; January 5, 2011 at 3:50 PM.
Apologies for the long read. Pick and choose which player you read about.
However, I strongly urge you to watch the video at the bottom of Matt Campagna's penalty shot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-5YlSrzL8c
I can't (or more aptly won't) say a lot, but I was fortunate enough to be sitting next to an amateur scout for an NHL team on my flight from Winnipeg down to London where I go to school. He was in the Peg scouting the under 17 tournament. I figured I may not get another opportunity to talk to an NHL guy so I picked his brain a bit. The one guy he talked a lot about was Matt Dumba. Loved his size and speed combo. Also was a big fan of his character as well. So yes, be excited for this 2012 draft eligible.
That's a pretty cool experience being able to chat with an NHL scout. My observations of Dumba are strictly based on internet footage and stats but 12 assists in 6 games to lead the U17 Championship is quite impressive for a defenseman.Originally Posted by metaldude26
Cool story
Good read Dean, thanks.
Yeah, I was amazed and tentative at first. I mean, I noticed his luggage had his team's logo on it, then it was his background on his laptop and I was like "Wow, look at this super fan." (Though I shouldn't talk I have Oilers sunglasses ffs.) Then he busted out a program from the under-17s and opened up his teams scouting system and started filling in scouting reports and I put it all together.
Really nice guy though. Was kind enough to let me pick his brain a bit when he clearly wanted to use the flight time to do some work.
I feel a moral obligation to keep that a secret. Maybe in a year or so like right leading up to the draft I'll let that slip but right now I'd feel much better not giving anything up.
Thanks to whoever posted this on the main page. The recognition is definitely awesome.
Here is another wrap up of the U 17 I came across today. It covers some of the same players plus a few others.
http://www.thescoutingreport.org/17-tournament-recap/
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