Anaheim Ducks: World Junior Championship Recap, Day 1
By Jason Byun
Despite the return of Anaheim Ducks hockey on Saturday, the 2015 IIHF Under-20 World Junior Championships began in Montreal and Toronto on Friday, giving hockey fans a different avenue to watch the games during the NHL holiday break. While the spotlight was focused on two 2015 draft-eligible prospects, the Ducks themselves had three prospects, all of whom were in action on Friday.
Game 1: Denmark vs. Russia
Result: Russia defeats Denmark 3-2 (SO)
Ducks Prospects: None
Goals:
Oliver Bjorkstrand (DEN, 1, PP) – Columbus Blue Jackets (2013 3rd round pick, 89th)
Nikolaj Ehlers (DEN, 1, PP) – Winnipeg Jets (2014 1st round pick, 9th)
Nikolay Goldobin (RUS, 1, PP) – San Jose Sharks (2014 1st round pick, 27th)
Maxim Mamin (RUS, 1) – 2015 NHL Draft Eligible
Sergei Tolchinski (RUS, 1, SO) – Carolina Hurricanes (2013 undrafted free agent)
Game 2: Finland vs. USA
Result: USA defeats Finland 2-1 (SO)
Ducks Prospects: None
Goals:
Mikko Rantanen (FIN, 1) – 2015 NHL Draft Eligible
Alex Tuch (USA, 1, PP) – Minnesota Wild (2014 1st round pick, 18th)
Chase De Leo (USA, 1, SO) – Winnipeg Jets (2014 4th round pick, 99th)
Game 3: Sweden vs. Czech Republic
Result: Sweden defeats Czech Republic 5-2
Ducks Prospects: Ondrej Kase (2014 7th round pick, 205th) – 1 A, +2
Goals:
Adrian Kempe (SWE, 1, PP) – Los Angeles Kings (2014 1st round pick, 29th)
Jens Looke (SWE, 1) – 2015 NHL Draft Eligible
Jakub Vrana (CZE, 1) – Washington Capitals (2014 1st round pick, 13th)
Jakub Vrana (CZE, 2) – Washington Capitals (2014 1st round pick, 13th)
William Nylander (SWE, 1) – Toronto Maple Leafs (2014 1st round pick, 8th)
Adrian Kempe (SWE, 2, PP) – Los Angeles Kings (2014 1st round pick, 29th)
Jacob de la Rose (SWE, 1) – Montreal Canadiens (2013 2nd round pick, 34th)
Game 4: Canada vs. Slovakia
Result: Canada defeats Slovakia 8-0
Ducks Prospects:
Nick Ritchie (2014 1st round pick, 10th) – Scoreless, Even
Shea Theodore (2013 1st round pick, 26th) – Scoreless, +1
Goals:
Robby Fabbri (CAN, 1) – St. Louis Blues (2014 1st round pick, 21st)
Anthony Duclair (CAN, 1) – New York Rangers (2013 3rd round pick, 80th)
Robby Fabbri (CAN, 2) – St. Louis Blues (2014 1st round pick, 21st)
Nick Paul (CAN, 1) – Ottawa Senators (2013 4th round pick, 101st, drafted by Dallas Stars: acquired in Jason Spezza deal)
Brayden Point (CAN, 1) – Tampa Bay Lightning (2014 3rd round pick, 79th)
Max Domi (CAN, 1) – Arizona Coyotes (2013 1st round pick, 12th)
Nic Petan (CAN, 1) – Winnipeg Jets (2013 2nd round pick, 43rd)
Jake Virtanen (CAN, 1) – Vancouver Canucks (2014 1st round pick, 6th)
The Ducks prospects themselves did not score any goals. Kase tallied the primary assist on Vrana’s second goal, getting the puck while on the forecheck and making the pass to Vrana, which tied the game at two. Kase was on the ice for both Czech goals and was one of two players on the Czech roster to finish +2 for the game (the other being Vrana).
For Ritchie and Theodore, neither got involved in the scoresheet. Theodore was a +1 and played most of the game with Edmonton Oilers prospect Darnell Nurse. He played a bit on the power-play, and he looked solid out on the ice with his skating ability and puck-moving skills, two abilities that he is known for. With how the NHL has transitioned to a more skill-oriented game, organizations stress having players who can move the puck well, especially from the blue-line positions.
As for Ritchie, his entire line had some struggles getting involved offensively. Ritchie played with phenom prospect Connor McDavid and Ottawa Senators prospect Curtis Lazar, who was named captain of Team Canada. All three players were held off the scoresheet and were three of the four players for Team Canada to have an even rating (the other being Frederik Gauthier of the Toronto Maple Leafs). Ritchie did get involved through physical play: Canada is built around speed and skill, but they lack size and physicality. Whether Team Canada looks to shuffle lines remains to be seen, as the other three lines all had success.
The tournament action continues today, and all three prospects will once again be in action. The Czech Republic will face off against Switzerland in Group B action at 2:00 p.m. PT, while Canada will face Germany in Group A at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Jason Byun is the editor for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.
Next: Anaheim Ducks Prospect Watch: World Junior Championships