Ron Francis heads to Slovakia for the World U18 Juniors

Slovakia showcases 2017 U18 World Junior Championship

With the future on his mind GM Ron Francis (RF) is off to Slovakia for the World U18 Hockey Championships.  As a hockey fan, this is when I get jealous.  Not that RF is heading to Northern Europe in the spring but I love all the IIHF World Junior Championships.  When I sit back and relax after Christmas I know I have a week and a half of U20 Hockey.  It’s a chance to witness all that junior hockey has to offer and more. It’s the future of the NHL developing right in front of you.  To me it’s the best hockey in the world.  I also believe that the Little League World Series is the best baseball too.  Hey, everyone has their opinion and that’s mine.  Interesting enough the U18 which involves usually undrafted youngster at the draft age just so happens right before the NHL draft.  Hmm, makes you wonder eh?

Why are we here

Ron Francis and the Hurricanes best scouts have descended on Slovakia for one reason and that reason is the future.  With the NHL being a global sport it’s important to see what the whole world has to offer.  The problem with this tournament lately is that we miss out on many of the young stars due to the CHL playoffs.  But there is still a lot of potential available to see.  As I watch the tournament, I think I see what Carolina staff might be looking at to improve for the future.

Are they Finnish?

Sebastian Aho being a diamond in the rough, makes many think the Canes would be looking to the next undiscovered star from Finland. This might be true but from what I see Finland’s next big star is coming from the Defensive side.

• Miro Heiskanen (D) is the #4 ranked European prospect. He is already 6’0” @ 185 lbs. Shoots Left and like all Finns is quick and hockey smart.  For this tourney he is second in points with 8 with 7 assists.
• Urho Vaakanainen (D) is ranked #8 European prospect. He too is 6’0” @ 185 lbs. Shoots Left. The report on him is that he is already very mature and plays well on both ends of the puck.
• Eero Teravainen (D) And yes he is Teuvo’s little brother. Could not find much information on Eero except that he is headed to NCAA champs Univ. of Denver next fall.  But RF might use a late pick to keep a current potential star happy.

But if Carolina is seriously hoping to find the next Aho it will come from the Finland in the form of Kristian Vesalainen.  Matter of fact this kid is leading the tourney in points and goals.  Ranked #7 by central scouting he fits the bill for what the Canes are needing.  Vesalainen is R/LW 6’2” and already 207.  Much like Nicolas Roy, this young man has a chance to be a monster for the Hurricanes.

Who’s left in Europe?

While scouting the rest of the European teams I came up with some interesting finds that might fit Carolina Hurricanes future.  I liked some of the Russians but I don’t believe that GMRF really seems to have much interest in Russian players.

• Alexey Toropchenko (RW) is #21 for European skaters and would be a good pick for one of the Hurricanes second round choices. The young Russian is 6’3” @ 187lbs is fast and solid on defense.  Although he is not having a noteworthy tournament he still looks like a good pick.
• Andrei Svetlakov (C) is #48 in Europe and seems to be down the charts far enough to even be considered but he is having a heck of a tournament. This young Russian is 6’0”, 202lbs and is forth in point leaders with 4 goals and 2 assists.
• Nico Hischier (C) at one time was the #1 pick but since the midterm has moved down to #2. Obviously the best player in the tourney.  But wait, no he’s not.  Nico actually is not having a great tournament unless he is trying to impress scouts with his assist abilities.  At the end of preliminaries, Nico has no goals and 2^nd in assists with 5. By the way, the Swiss will face the USA in the semis.

That leaves me with one last European that I think Carolina’s staff is taking a serious look at this tourney.  I have a feeling they are giving a hard look at Kirill Ustimenko, goaltender.  This young Russian has some really good skills and at 6’3”, 187lbs, fills the net well.  Although he has only played one game so far he has only gave up 1 goal with a .968sv%.  I am hoping that we see more of him in the medal round.

Where are the North Americans?

It’s has been hard to really get a good look at the two home teams from North America.  Both Canada and the USA really don’t have too many of their top guns, thanks to the CHL.  Although the US is clicking on all cylinders and are the one of the favorites to win the gold. I just didn’t like anyone good enough to bring in to my list.  If there was an honorable mention it would be Ryan Poehling (C) but then again he has been a no show during the tournament.  So that leaves me with these top Canadians.

• Isaac Ratcliffe (LW), this was my pick going into the tourney to watch. I really like this kid.  He is #15 in NA rankings but at 6’6”, 202lbs this guy could make the Canes happy.  The notes on him state that he has a great shot, good physical play but smart.  If you have noticed a pattern with me, its size.  I like size and speed and this young man could be all that. Although this tournament hasn’t been a showcase for him, he is on the leaderboard with a plus/minus of +4
• Matthew Strome (LW) is 6’4”@206lbs, enough said for me. Almost all the same things can be mentioned in regards to Strome as about Ratcliffe.  He is on the leaderboard with a plus/minus of +6 with just 2 assists to show for all his efforts.

Mackenzie Entwistle is my last Canadian winger (RW) that I have been watching.  This young man is 6’3”, 190lbs but is quick.  He has been towing the line for a somewhat weak Canadian team this tournament.  Most of the time when you are leading the Canadians in points that is impressive.  With 6 point, divided in half with 3g and 3a. Mackenzie has carried the Canadians to a second place finish in the prelims.  Their only loss to the mighty Finns.

Got to Watch TV

For me the medal round is going to take up my weekend.  For Ron Francis and his team, the medal round should be a showcase for Finland and the USA.  It is actually possible that the Canadians and US to not even play each other if one of them stumble.  From what I have seen so far, I don’t know how the Hurricanes don’t fall in love with one of the Finns and I am hoping its Kristian Vesalainen.  I would also not be surprised if somehow the Hurricanes end up drafting a Finnish defenseman either.  Finland is right now the premier talent pool in the world.  The good news is that Ron Francis already knows this and seems to have an inside track on bring these extraordinary players to North Carolina.