Ice Level’s Post-World Juniors Players to Watch

Jan 8

Image Credit: Clint Austin/Duluth Media Group

World Juniors are done, and the race to Las Vegas begins. Who are the Twin Cities’ top performers headed back to the NCAA?

WRITTEN BY JAMES BLENNAU

We saw some serious standouts in this year’s IIHF World Junior Championship. From Michigan’s Michael Hage shining bright for Canada to Boston College’s James Hagens flashing his development for hosts Team USA, there was some real global star power at this year’s tournament. I have a few players to look out for that may not be the most obvious or the faces of their teams. However, they can all find their place by pushing for that NPI ranking just above the tournament cut line after an impressive campaign for their national teams. Here’s who to watch over the next few months.

WILL ZELLERS - NORTH DAKOTA

Yes, I’m doing two players from the same team, but bear with me. Zellers took his position on the fourth line and nearly being snubbed from Bob Motzko’s squad to being Team USA’s most clutch player. He channeled his energy into five goals and three assists in just five games, averaging minimal minutes on top of that. If he continues to play with a chip on his shoulder, especially after a disappointing quarterfinal exit, his 10 goals in 19 games so far this year will fade into the past like a different player. Zellers’ shot has always been deadly, but never underestimate the mental aspect of sports. As he continues to make the most of his time on the ice, the Bruins could come calling sooner than he thinks if his development continues at this rate.

SASCHA BOUMEDIENNE - BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Someone needed to dethrone Team USA after back-to-back gold medals, and someone needs to replace Cole Hutson’s production if he comes back playing less minutes after his injury in the group stage. Luckily for Jay Pandolfo’s Terriers, they have a clutch gold-medalist Swedish forward on their hands looking to turn it up this season. Boumedienne scored Sweden’s game-winning goal in the gold-medal game against Czechia, capping a two-goal and two-assist performance in seven games. It may not seem like much, but clutch goal-scoring could be exactly what the Terriers need to stay fighting for a fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. His offensive production has been sub-par for BU so far, but a gold medal could be just the confidence boost he needs to raise his rating and contribute more consistently on both ends using his massive frame.

KEATON VERHOEFF - NORTH DAKOTA

Al Arbour used to believe it takes years for defensemen to develop. While this still holds true for Verhoeff, his four assists in five games for Canada as a 17-year-old in a U-20 tournament is absolutely an achievement. His +4 rating reflects a strong two-way game and while he’s already produced 11 points in 16 games for the Fighting Hawks, a confidence push is exactly what Verhoeff needs to make the nation’s best power play even more lethal. Keep in mind, he’s doing all of this as a freshman. Watch out at the top of the NCHC because if Verhoeff discovers the consistency he reached in the WHL at both ends of the ice, his draft stock could take him all the way to projected first overall.

Václav Nestrašil - Umass

As much respect as I have for that program, I’m still not sure if anyone including the Minutemen knew what kind of talent they had on their hands in Nestrasil. The Czech star two-way forward put up two goals and six assists in an eight-game silver-medal campaign, the team’s fourth-straight medal. The freshman only played in eight games for UMass, but he sure made his mark with five goals and five assists in those appearances, including one over No. 12 Northeastern in the team’s final game before winter break. Nestrasil is a serious breakout candidate in a struggling Hockey East, and if he can stay in the lineup consistently, can take the Minutemen from the conference’s basement to a team nobody wants to face come March.

James Blennau