The 2019 World Junior Championships are just a few days away, with the top Under-20 players across the world set to take part in the storied tournament from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in British Columbia.
The tournament will give hockey fans a chance to view some future NHL superstars — headlined by the likely No. 1 pick in the 2019 Draft in Jack Hughes (USA), Kaapo Kakko (Finland) and the potential top pick in the 2020 Draft in Alexis Lafreniere (Canada).
Bruins fans should especially keep their eyes glued to the games — with six prospects for the B’s set to play for five different countries.
Here’s a look at the six B’s prospects — and what to expect from them:
Kyle Keyser, USA: Signed by the B’s as an undrafted free agent in October 2017, Keyser is turning out to be a huge coup for Boston, with the 19-year-old netminder set to compete for playing time with Spencer Knight and Cayden Primeau during the tournament. The Coral Springs, Fla. native is in the midst of his third season with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League — and is currently second in the league in goals-against average (2.37) and first in save percentage (.931).
Bruce Cassidy on Keyser: “Keyser, I didn’t see a lot of (during training camp). I know that they’re real high on him. Goalie (coach) Bob (Essensa) has thought that he has come a long way. Very competitive kid.”
Urho Vaakanainen, Finland:
A late addition to an already loaded Finland team, Vaakanainen could be primed for a breakout showing at World Juniors, so long as he is completely back up to speed from a nasty concussion. Boston’s top pick in the 2017 Draft actually started the year up with Boston following a very impressive camp.
However, any chance for the smooth defenseman to earn some well-earned reps up in the NHL ranks was cut short after taking an elbow from Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki back on Oct. 23. He hasn’t suited up in a game since, but was cleared just in time for World Juniors. The tournament will be a good way for Vaakanainen to get back on track against younger competition, with a stint back down in the AHL likely once he returns from British Columbia.
Jack Studnicka, Canada:
Much like Vaakanainen, Studnicka has a chance to be a breakout performer this tournament on a young, but talented Canada team. One of the final cuts of Bruins training camp despite entering the preseason as a 19-year-old forward with five games at the AHL level, Studnicka has continued to see his stock rise since Boston selected him in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2017 Draft.
A speedy center with good size (6-foot-2), Studnicka is in the midst of his second year as captain of the Generals — tallying 33 points in his first 29 games of the season. On a Canada club looking for leadership up front, Studnicka should fill the role right away.
Cassidy on Studnicka: “I saw Jack, I thought he had a nice camp I just didn’t think for a junior age player he was ready to play ahead of JFK and (Trent) Frederic. Making that decision that quick, who knows with half a year under him? B
ut that’s neither here nor there. Hopefully, he does a good job there.”
Jakub Lauko, Czech Republic:
A speedy winger who's shaping up to a steal for the B’s in the third round of the 2018 Draft, Lauko will be counted on to bring some energy to the Czech Republic — with the 18-year-old forward now up to 26 points in 26 games during his first season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Lauko, who impressed with Boston with a pair of preseason goals this fall, played in last year’s World Juniors as well —
scoring three goals and recording three assists for six points in seven games.
Cassidy on Lauko: "
I saw the highlights of his games against Washington. He was here briefly — I think he was concussed. I think he ran into a freight train called
Noel Acciari
or
David Backes.
He learned the hard way, so I didn’t see a lot of him in practice. Lots of speed, lots of energy. Little bit of a rat in him as well. He’ll annoy some people, so that’s something that can be a good quality if you can harness it.”
Daniel Bukac, Czech Republic:
A seventh-round (204th overall) selection in the 2017 Draft, Bukac is a big body on the blue line (6-foot-5) with playmaking ability. The defenseman is in the middle of his first full season in the OHL — notching six points in 24 games.
Cassidy on Bukac: “Bukac I like the way he moved, we didn’t see him play much only in the rookie games. I might have only seen him in one of the games, him I’m not as familiar with but he’s a big guy that can skate in the back end that’s always interesting then, so where is his identity down the road. Without seeing him much other than at camp I don’t have a good answer on that one."
Pavel Shen, Russia:
A seventh-round (212th overall) pick in the 2018 Draft, Shen is a speedy center who has bounced around three leagues in Russia this season. After failing to tally a point in 15 games in the KHL (against older competition), Shen has posted two assists through nine games between Russia’s Supreme Hockey League and its Junior Hockey League.
Cassidy on Shen: “He was good, he was our seventh rounder, I believe, late pick. Looked like he had great wheels, I think he was an older guy though so maybe had gone through the draft a couple times so someone probably saw him took a flyer on him. It looked like he could certainly skate and that’s half the battle in today’s game.”
McAvoy looks back on World Juniors experience
While he might have a number of future teammates competing in the upcoming World Juniors,
Charlie McAvoy
admitted that he only reached out to one ahead of time.
Already a rising star in Boston’s system even before signing his entry-level contract with the Bruins, McAvoy established himself as one of the top blue-line prospects in the game during the 2017 tournament, recording six points through seven games while earning Player of the Game honors during Team USA’s 5-4 win over Canada in the gold-medal showdown.
“
(Mikhail) Sergachev
was the D for Russia and he was really good. Hadn’t played against him. And then
Thomas Chabot
, obviously surfaced as a superstar. Then after that, you can really forecast what he’s doing now. But it’s cool. It’s unique because they’re playing junior and I’m playing college, so we don’t really get to see each other and play against each other before the professional ranks. It’s cool. It’s a great opportunity for that and obviously, the pride in representing your country is second to none.”
For McAvoy, he’ll be keeping close tabs on a loaded Team USA squad — headlined by Hughes at center and his older brother,
Quinn
, on the blue line.
K’Andre Miller
is another player to watch on defense after tallying 17 points through 18 games as a freshman at Wisconsin.
The U-20 crew also has another Mass. native in Providence College’s
Jay O’Brien
, while winger
Oliver Wahlstrom
grew up in Maine before moving to Quincy.
“
I know Quinn Hughes very well, he’s a good friend of mine,” McAvoy said of Team USA. “Him and his brother are going to be there. Texted with Hughsie a couple days ago asking about how things were going. I’m a spectator for sure with this tournament.
Christmas comes early at TD Garden
Just about every player on Boston’s roster wore a Christmas-themed suit of some variation for their walk to the locker room. Some took it a bit more seriously than others — with
Brandon Carlo
’s Amazon-ordered suit a few sizes too large. But all in all, it was a successful operation for
Torey Krug
and the rest of Boston’s veterans.
A pretty nice way for the B’s to celebrate the holiday season — and much, much better than what poor
Auston Matthews
and
Mitch Marner
had to deal with up in Toronto last week.
