The tip of December brings nice issues. The vacation season, the promise of a brand new 12 months, and for hockey followers, two of probably the most thrilling weeks of the 12 months: the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) U-20 World Junior Championship.
The all-teenager event has turn into a vacation season staple for hockey followers wanting to get a style of the following wave of expertise making its method towards the NHL. (Wish to really feel outdated? This 12 months’s event is the primary to characteristic gamers born completely after 2000.)
Three Bruins prospects will probably be featured on this 12 months’s event – John Beecher and Curtis Corridor of Crew USA, and Jakub Lauko of the host-nation, the Czech Republic. Right here’s a take a look at what every participant brings to the desk.
John Beecher, Ahead, United States
Beecher is the youngest Bruins prospect taking part on this 12 months’s event. He’s additionally the best draft decide featured for Boston after being chosen 30th general by the Bruins within the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
The Elmira, New York native is off to a formidable begin to his freshman season on the College of Michigan. He leads the Wolverines with 5 objectives in 16 video games and has added 4 assists for a complete of 9 factors, regardless of lacking a pair of video games on account of damage.
John Beecher of the College of Michigan is the youngest Bruins draft decide enjoying within the event. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Beecher and his and fellow American/Bruins prospect Corridor are each forwards with appreciable measurement. In truth, the 2 are the tallest forwards on the American roster. Each stand at 6-foot-Three, with Beecher (209 kilos) outweighing Corridor (196 kilos).
Beecher, who can play on the wing and at heart, tallied one help in Crew USA’s 6-Four pre-tournament win over Sweden. He’s a sensible participant who makes good use of his measurement on each ends of the ice. And whereas he isn’t the flashiest participant on the market, he combines his hockey-IQ along with his measurement for reliable two-way play. Moreover, Bruins followers who miss the “Large Dangerous Bruins” model of hockey will possible benefit from the physicality in his sport.
Beecher has beforehand represented america twice on the worldwide stage. He earned a Bronze Medal with Crew USA on the 2019 U-18 Championship, in addition to first place with the US on the 2017 U-17 World Hockey Problem.
Whereas he nonetheless wants fairly a little bit of growth earlier than he’ll be in Black and Gold, the upcoming event needs to be a great take a look at for the Bruins’ most up-to-date first-round decide.
Curtis Corridor, Ahead, United States
Corridor, a sophomore at Yale College, was drafted by the Bruins with the 119th general decide (fourth spherical) of the 2018 draft. His father, Mike Corridor, really had a quick historical past with the Bruins group – he performed six years of professional hockey that included a brief stint with Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Windfall Bruins, in the course of the 2000-01 season.
Boston’s fourth-rounder recorded 11 factors (5 objectives, six assists) in 24 video games throughout his freshman season, however has already surpassed final season’s aim whole. He leads Yale with six objectives within the Bulldogs’ first 9 video games this season, with one help as gravy on high. Like Beecher, Corridor has additionally missed a few video games this season due to damage.
Corridor did get on the scoresheet in america’ first pre-tournament sport in opposition to Sweden, burying a wrist shot from the excessive slot to start a comeback victory in opposition to the Swedes. He additionally potted one aim in 5 video games for Crew USA at this 12 months’s Summer season Showcase.
The US will look to succeed in the rostrum for the fifth event in a row, coming off of a silver medal efficiency eventually 12 months’s event.
Jakub Lauko, Ahead, Czech Republic
Lauko, who’s within the midst of his first season with the P-Bruins, was a query mark to take part on this 12 months’s event after struggling a scary damage a couple of weeks in the past that resulted in him being stretchered off the ice. Thankfully, the 77th-overall decide from 2018 has recovered from the incident and was cleared to play – which is very candy contemplating the event is being held in his house nation.
The 6-foot, 170-pound ahead was one of many Bruins’ extra anticipated prospects heading into this season after a formidable preseason efficiency with Boston. As a young person, the Bruins may’ve assigned Lauko again to Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Main Junior Hockey League (the place he helped lead the Huskies to a Memorial Cup Championship final season), however opted to maintain him in Windfall to proceed his growth.
Jakub Lauko, Boston Bruins (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
The damage has restricted Lauko to simply 18 video games, throughout which he’s tallied 4 objectives and 4 assists with Boston’s AHL affiliate. However having just lately returned from damage, the event again at house affords Lauko a possibility to search out his sport as soon as once more earlier than returning to the P-Bruins.
His largest asset is his lightning-quick velocity, which he confirmed off with a nasty aim in opposition to the Flyers in the course of the preseason.
Along with his velocity, Lauko affords promising expertise within the offensive zone and has demonstrated a knack for locating the again of the web. He can play on the heart place however typically traces up on the wing.
This 12 months’s event marks the 19-year-old’s third look on the U-20 World Junior Championship. He’s tallied three factors in 11 video games over the previous two U-20 Championships, though he’s totaled 11 factors in 24 profession video games with the Czech Republic U-20 squad throughout all competitions. He’ll be one of many most-watched gamers for the Czechs this time round given his expertise and skill.
The event kicks off on Boxing Day, Dec. 26, with Lauko and the Czech Republic taking over Russia in Group B’s opening sport. Beecher, Corridor, and america will open the event in opposition to rival-Canada the identical day. All three Bruins prospects may even be on show collectively on December 30, when america and the Czech Republic sq. off.
All of the 2020 World Junior Championship Crew Info:
*Hyperlinks to come back all through December
Canada — Crew Preview — Roster
Czech Republic — Crew Preview — Roster
Finland — Crew Preview — Roster
Germany — Crew Preview — Roster
Kazakhstan — Crew Preview — Roster
Russia — Crew Preview — Roster
Slovakia — Crew Preview — Roster
Sweden — Crew Preview — Roster
Switzerland — Crew Preview — Roster
USA — Crew Preview — Roster
Choice Camp Invitations by NHL Crew
Roster Breakdowns by NHL Crew
All Your THW 2020 World Junior Championship Protection
