WJC: 2016 WJC Division I Group A (Dec. 13-19)
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tony d
New poll series coming from me in June
Hockeyklubban
Registered User
2016 WJC Division 1A
My opinion of the teams*
This is based on my own reflections and opinions of what I have read and saw and it's possible that players I mentions dosent even make the team, but it would surprise me if they wouldn't make the team.*
Kazakstan
last year- promoted from WJC div.1 group 2
Key players:
Dimitri Grents-1996, Center (Barsy Astrana-KHL)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=244162
Have KHL routin when he have played over 25 games for Astrana this year.*
Also played last year and made 3 points in 5 games.
Seymon Koshelev- 1996, Forward (CSKA Moscow)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=154465
Another player whit KHL routine put up 9 points last year and he is a very important player for this team.
My Guess: 6th place
I don't know so much about this team but I think this division is going to be to tough for the team but maybe they can beat Italy and save themselves a spot for next years WJC Divison 1 A. They also have a returner from last year named Ailkhan Asetov who is the best*point scorer so far in Barsy Astranas junior team.
But Kazakstans hope is that Grents and Koshelev can score goals at the tournament. Both of them have faced rally good opponents this year and I think they have a good tempo in their game.
Germany*
last year- regelated from WJC
Key players:
Manuel Wiederer-1996,Center/Forward (Montcon)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=86675
Have really developt this years and are make much points in the QMJHL.
Played last year but a this year his big star. I think it has been good for him to play in northamerica this year.
Andreas Eder-1996, Center/Forward (Munchen)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=95495
Lead the team under-18 years team 13/14 and I think that he is going to do well even this year. Showed in MHL last year that he is a really good pointscorer.
My guess: 3rd place
Germany was regelated last year and of course they are looking for a revanchist but they have lost important players like Tiffels, Kahun and Moser. But I think a player like Maximilian Kammerer going to step up and be a important player for the team, he's playing in DEL and is used to tough opponents. I think it's stand between Austria and Germany to end at the second place, because in my opinion Latvia is to strong this year.
Norway*
last year- 2nd place
Key players:
Ludvig Hoff-1996, Center/Forward (Lincoln)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=73341
Scored 8 points last year in this tournament and I think his going for more this year. The biggest star in Norway and one of the best player in the whole tournament.
Christoffer Karlsen-1998, Forward (HV71 J20)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=247270
Impressing stats in J20 Superelit this year over one point per game. And Norway need a offensive player and I think Karlsen can produce some goals at the tournament.
My guess: 4th place
I think this look's like one of the weakest teams for a time in Norway. And they are gonna get a hard time trying to beat the top team but they absolutely have qualities to stay in this division.
They have a lot of player from Norways higest Divison and they have schuld have a good tempo in their game because the league have some good import players.*
So I think they manage to stay whiteout problem but Latvia,Germany and Austria at their home is going to be to hard games.
Latvia*
last year -3d place
Key players:
Rodrigo Abols-1996, Center (Portland)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=154962
Played whit Dinamo Rig in KHL for 14 games last year and made 5 points. These season he's plays for Portland in WHL and have done it pretty well. He also played the WC for his countries earlier this year.
Martins Dzierkals-1997, Forward (Royun-Noranda)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=239362
Makes a lot of points in QMJHL and I think Latvia expects him to produce in the WJC to. I think he would be a important player for a top division WJC to.
Other noteabel players:
Rudolfs Balcers- 1997
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=153652
Haralds Egle -1996
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=91128
Roberts Locans -1996
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=91129
Have good height and weight. And went from playing Swedish division 2 (the 4 best league in the countrie) to KHL.
My Guess: 1st place
Latvia is big big favorites in my eyes they have many returner from last year. And some of the returners where really good even last year.*
Last years goalie Matiss Edmunds Kivlenieks is also available this year and he had 0.928% last year and if he can reach that levele again I think it's going to be hard to beat Latvia.
They have the absolutely best offensive in the whole tournament, it's going to be interesting to see if the defender Gvido Jansons make the team his from Aston in the NAHL.
And I guy I have forget to mention Krills Galhoa who have made 2 apperence with the national A-team.
Italy*
last year- 4th place
Key players:
Alexander Lambacher -1996, Center/Forward (Minnosota)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=93264
Plays in the NAHL and are making about 1 poit per game. He also played last year and made 5 points in 5 games. He have also make one National A-team game.
Markus Spinell - 1997, Forward (Ritten/Reon)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=296418
Have play really well in the highest division in Italy and have also made 4 appearance in the national A-team and the result has been 2 points. I think this guy is really good and it's going to be interesting to see how good he are.
My Guess: 5th place
I think the miss of the really good trio Ramsoner and Morini*2 is going to be to big to do anything about the top teams in the groups. The most important game for Italy is against Kazaksthan and they need players like Lambacher, Spinell and Barnabo to produce goals in such games.
A important defender is Tobias Brighento who is playing his second season in the Italy highest division.
Austria*
last year- 5th place
Key players:
Mario Huber -1996, Forward/Center (Victoriaville)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=91240
Made the team last year and was the leading point scorer for Austria. He have also played in the A-national team where he have make 2 points in 6 games.
Lukas Haudum -1997, Forward (Sodertalje J20)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=223288
Also a returner from last year and he is good enough to lead the offensive and if he manage to to that it can be a fun WJC for Austria.
My guess: 2nd place
Whit support from their home fans I think this is going to be a good tournament for Austria they have lot of point scoring players from last year which is going to help them a lot.
It going to be interesting to watch a player like Dominik Zwerger a WHL player who was the best point scorer for Austrias U18 *team 2 years ago.
My opinion of the teams*
This is based on my own reflections and opinions of what I have read and saw and it's possible that players I mentions dosent even make the team, but it would surprise me if they wouldn't make the team.*
Kazakstan
last year- promoted from WJC div.1 group 2
Key players:
Dimitri Grents-1996, Center (Barsy Astrana-KHL)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=244162
Have KHL routin when he have played over 25 games for Astrana this year.*
Also played last year and made 3 points in 5 games.
Seymon Koshelev- 1996, Forward (CSKA Moscow)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=154465
Another player whit KHL routine put up 9 points last year and he is a very important player for this team.
My Guess: 6th place
I don't know so much about this team but I think this division is going to be to tough for the team but maybe they can beat Italy and save themselves a spot for next years WJC Divison 1 A. They also have a returner from last year named Ailkhan Asetov who is the best*point scorer so far in Barsy Astranas junior team.
But Kazakstans hope is that Grents and Koshelev can score goals at the tournament. Both of them have faced rally good opponents this year and I think they have a good tempo in their game.
Germany*
last year- regelated from WJC
Key players:
Manuel Wiederer-1996,Center/Forward (Montcon)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=86675
Have really developt this years and are make much points in the QMJHL.
Played last year but a this year his big star. I think it has been good for him to play in northamerica this year.
Andreas Eder-1996, Center/Forward (Munchen)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=95495
Lead the team under-18 years team 13/14 and I think that he is going to do well even this year. Showed in MHL last year that he is a really good pointscorer.
My guess: 3rd place
Germany was regelated last year and of course they are looking for a revanchist but they have lost important players like Tiffels, Kahun and Moser. But I think a player like Maximilian Kammerer going to step up and be a important player for the team, he's playing in DEL and is used to tough opponents. I think it's stand between Austria and Germany to end at the second place, because in my opinion Latvia is to strong this year.
Norway*
last year- 2nd place
Key players:
Ludvig Hoff-1996, Center/Forward (Lincoln)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=73341
Scored 8 points last year in this tournament and I think his going for more this year. The biggest star in Norway and one of the best player in the whole tournament.
Christoffer Karlsen-1998, Forward (HV71 J20)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=247270
Impressing stats in J20 Superelit this year over one point per game. And Norway need a offensive player and I think Karlsen can produce some goals at the tournament.
My guess: 4th place
I think this look's like one of the weakest teams for a time in Norway. And they are gonna get a hard time trying to beat the top team but they absolutely have qualities to stay in this division.
They have a lot of player from Norways higest Divison and they have schuld have a good tempo in their game because the league have some good import players.*
So I think they manage to stay whiteout problem but Latvia,Germany and Austria at their home is going to be to hard games.
Latvia*
last year -3d place
Key players:
Rodrigo Abols-1996, Center (Portland)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=154962
Played whit Dinamo Rig in KHL for 14 games last year and made 5 points. These season he's plays for Portland in WHL and have done it pretty well. He also played the WC for his countries earlier this year.
Martins Dzierkals-1997, Forward (Royun-Noranda)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=239362
Makes a lot of points in QMJHL and I think Latvia expects him to produce in the WJC to. I think he would be a important player for a top division WJC to.
Other noteabel players:
Rudolfs Balcers- 1997
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=153652
Haralds Egle -1996
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=91128
Roberts Locans -1996
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=91129
Have good height and weight. And went from playing Swedish division 2 (the 4 best league in the countrie) to KHL.
My Guess: 1st place
Latvia is big big favorites in my eyes they have many returner from last year. And some of the returners where really good even last year.*
Last years goalie Matiss Edmunds Kivlenieks is also available this year and he had 0.928% last year and if he can reach that levele again I think it's going to be hard to beat Latvia.
They have the absolutely best offensive in the whole tournament, it's going to be interesting to see if the defender Gvido Jansons make the team his from Aston in the NAHL.
And I guy I have forget to mention Krills Galhoa who have made 2 apperence with the national A-team.
Italy*
last year- 4th place
Key players:
Alexander Lambacher -1996, Center/Forward (Minnosota)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=93264
Plays in the NAHL and are making about 1 poit per game. He also played last year and made 5 points in 5 games. He have also make one National A-team game.
Markus Spinell - 1997, Forward (Ritten/Reon)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=296418
Have play really well in the highest division in Italy and have also made 4 appearance in the national A-team and the result has been 2 points. I think this guy is really good and it's going to be interesting to see how good he are.
My Guess: 5th place
I think the miss of the really good trio Ramsoner and Morini*2 is going to be to big to do anything about the top teams in the groups. The most important game for Italy is against Kazaksthan and they need players like Lambacher, Spinell and Barnabo to produce goals in such games.
A important defender is Tobias Brighento who is playing his second season in the Italy highest division.
Austria*
last year- 5th place
Key players:
Mario Huber -1996, Forward/Center (Victoriaville)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=91240
Made the team last year and was the leading point scorer for Austria. He have also played in the A-national team where he have make 2 points in 6 games.
Lukas Haudum -1997, Forward (Sodertalje J20)
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=223288
Also a returner from last year and he is good enough to lead the offensive and if he manage to to that it can be a fun WJC for Austria.
My guess: 2nd place
Whit support from their home fans I think this is going to be a good tournament for Austria they have lot of point scoring players from last year which is going to help them a lot.
It going to be interesting to watch a player like Dominik Zwerger a WHL player who was the best point scorer for Austrias U18 *team 2 years ago.
Last edited by a moderator:
Hockeyklubban
Registered User
I thought it would be fun to see what team we users thinks would win. So I have make so you can vote on the team you think wins the tournament
Rösta=Vote
http://www.plusett.nu/hdpoll.php?g_id=5086&hash=6ecf91f44c97b596452b67d23e6a7964
You can also read what I think about the teams In the thread WJC Div.1 group.A Team Review if you want
Rösta=Vote
http://www.plusett.nu/hdpoll.php?g_id=5086&hash=6ecf91f44c97b596452b67d23e6a7964
You can also read what I think about the teams In the thread WJC Div.1 group.A Team Review if you want
zeropotentate
Registered User
This is going to be a fun tournament to keep track of, Kazakhstan is the team which was promoted last year, will they probably be relegated, or can they beat Italy or Austria?
Hockeyklubban
Registered User
They usually have streams for Division I and II. The IIHF will post a link once the tournament starts, just check their website.
Actually there are a couple of rather interesting players and one of them, Tobias Eder is a legit prospect with a very good chance of being drafted anywhere from the 2nd to the 5th round (I don't think he'll go later than that).
Manuel Wiederer is playing very well for Moncton in the QMJHL this season. Simon Schütz is playing as a regular in the DEL2 and doing a pretty good job so far.
And Maximilian Franzreb is a pretty good goalie already.
I am not saying they'll get promoted for sure, but they have a solid team and Tobi Eder in particular is an exciting prospect. Except for Draisaitl and maybe Rieder he is the best German in recent years. I think he is better than Kahun or Tiffels.
I'm not a homer, and I've got to say that Latvia are the favorites to win this year.
We've got the most depth and the most talent in every position, maybe except goaltending.
In fact, this team could do some damage in the Elite tier (which by Latvian standards means we could make the play-offs).
Here's our forward group:
Dzierkals (1.25 PPG/QMJHL), Abols (0.88 PPG/WHL), Balcers (nearly PPG in a pro league in Norway), Egle (0.75 PPG/USHL) and then you have guys being productive and playing on the same team in MHL (Locans, Galoha, Razgals), with a couple of them having some KHL experience already. And then you have some decent 3rd/4th liners, who actually have a future in pro hockey (Buncis USHL/NAHL, Puide and Lazarevs playing in the Swiss Jr. league, etc.)
We basically have 3 real good scoring lines. Dzierkals is going to be an absolute beast against these teams and a treat to watch, especially on the powerplay. I wouldn't be surprised if he racked up 2 PPG+ on avg.
And then you have some really talented defencemen like Rubins (he'd probably be a 2nd-3rd round draftee this year if it wasn't for the long-term injury he suffered), Cukste (already drafted), and guys like Ponomarenko (playing in Norway as a pro) or G. Jansons (I think he's the leading scorer among D-men in NAHL).
I'd say that our coach is probably going to get fired if we don't get promoted.
We've got the most depth and the most talent in every position, maybe except goaltending.
In fact, this team could do some damage in the Elite tier (which by Latvian standards means we could make the play-offs).
Here's our forward group:
Dzierkals (1.25 PPG/QMJHL), Abols (0.88 PPG/WHL), Balcers (nearly PPG in a pro league in Norway), Egle (0.75 PPG/USHL) and then you have guys being productive and playing on the same team in MHL (Locans, Galoha, Razgals), with a couple of them having some KHL experience already. And then you have some decent 3rd/4th liners, who actually have a future in pro hockey (Buncis USHL/NAHL, Puide and Lazarevs playing in the Swiss Jr. league, etc.)
We basically have 3 real good scoring lines. Dzierkals is going to be an absolute beast against these teams and a treat to watch, especially on the powerplay. I wouldn't be surprised if he racked up 2 PPG+ on avg.
And then you have some really talented defencemen like Rubins (he'd probably be a 2nd-3rd round draftee this year if it wasn't for the long-term injury he suffered), Cukste (already drafted), and guys like Ponomarenko (playing in Norway as a pro) or G. Jansons (I think he's the leading scorer among D-men in NAHL).
I'd say that our coach is probably going to get fired if we don't get promoted.
jcbio11
Registered User
Out of the WJC elite division bubble teams, which team has had the most starts in the last 10 years (in the elites I mean)? Just wondering.
Let's see (I hope I didn't overlook anything):
Germany 6
Latvia 5
Denmark 4
Norway 3
Belarus 2
Kazakhstan 2
Austria 1
This includes 11 tournaments including the one this year
jcbio11
Registered User
ozo
Registered User
- Feb 24, 2010
- 4,523
- 570
Unfortunately Koshelev won't be playing for Kazakhstan in foresebale future, as he can't play for Kazakhstan as long as he wants to be considered a local player in Russian hockey leagues. Same goes for his teammate Sergiyenko. Unfortunately both are by far Kazakhstan best players in their respective positions.
Oh yeah he is! I thought he was still injured but practiced on ice. Is he in Latvia's roster?
I can not agree that Latvia is such a big favorite of this group. Although defeated in the 2014 World Cup Germany 18 twice in the battle for relegation 5-3 but the missiles were active Germans in every game over about 15 schots missiles thinks you trifles and decide header goalkiper I think he ended up first Germany second latvia third norway fourth austria five kazakstan six italia Sorry about my English 
Of course he is.
And, brito, I'm not saying we're huge favorites. We're slight favorites. The game against Germany is still going to be close and Norway isn't that far back either. So our chances are actually lower than 50%, if we're talking probabilities.
What I'm saying is that we have a very good crop of players ('96s and '97s), so everyone's expectations are high, especially considering that we've failed to qualify for the Elite WJC for 2 years straight, which is rare.
swissexpert
Registered User
- Sep 21, 2009
- 2,743
- 1,036
Latvia won 5-2.
Our coaches decided to put our leading forwards on the same line (Abols, Balcers, Dzierkals), and they looked absolutely dominant whenever they were on the ice despite the fact that they've just arrived in Latvia after a trans-atlantic flight. It almost looked like Latvia was on the PP when they were out there.
Dzierkals with a goal and 3 assists.
I didn't catch the 1st period, but we had a lot of scoring chances in the 2nd/3rd and the score easily could've been more lopsided.
Looks like Haralds Egle didn't make it to Riga in time. Hopefully he'll play tomorrow.
Also, I have no idea why, but it seems like Roberts Locans hasn't been called up. That's a pretty big blow to our team. With his size (194cm/6'4, 95kg/210lbs) and skill and KHL experience he could've been one of our leading players offensively.
I'm not sure yet about the 4th line or bottom pairing Ds, but our line-up should look something like:
Balcers (GET-l) - Abols (WHL) - Dzierkals (QMJHL)
Lazarevs (Swiss Jr.) - Buncis (NAHL/USHL) - Egle (USHL)
Razgals (KHL/MHL) - Galoha (MHL) - Sislannikovs (MHL) (HK Riga line)
Puide (Swiss Jr.)/Pankevics (MHL) - Sprukts (MHL)/Klavins (MHL)/Misjus (Latvia) - Visockis/Buss (MHL)
Rubins (Allsvenskan/Sweden Jr.) - G .Jansons (NAHL)
Cukste (USHL) - Zile (MHL)
Ponomarenko (GET-l) - E.H.Jansons (Latvia)/Balinskis (MHL)
Kivlenieks (NAHL)
Grigals (MHL)
Romanovskis (Latvia)
Also, I have no idea why, but it seems like Roberts Locans hasn't been called up. That's a pretty big blow to our team. With his size (194cm/6'4, 95kg/210lbs) and skill and KHL experience he could've been one of our leading players offensively.
I'm not sure yet about the 4th line or bottom pairing Ds, but our line-up should look something like:
Balcers (GET-l) - Abols (WHL) - Dzierkals (QMJHL)
Lazarevs (Swiss Jr.) - Buncis (NAHL/USHL) - Egle (USHL)
Razgals (KHL/MHL) - Galoha (MHL) - Sislannikovs (MHL) (HK Riga line)
Puide (Swiss Jr.)/Pankevics (MHL) - Sprukts (MHL)/Klavins (MHL)/Misjus (Latvia) - Visockis/Buss (MHL)
Rubins (Allsvenskan/Sweden Jr.) - G .Jansons (NAHL)
Cukste (USHL) - Zile (MHL)
Ponomarenko (GET-l) - E.H.Jansons (Latvia)/Balinskis (MHL)
Kivlenieks (NAHL)
Grigals (MHL)
Romanovskis (Latvia)
Last edited:
GX
Registered User
- Dec 28, 2011
- 939
- 284
Latvian roster revisited (with line-up we saw vs. KAZ and cuts that were done before 2 days). Final roster has only two more cuts to be made - one of the goalies and probably one forward (i'd got with Visockis).
Balcers (GET-l) - Abols (WHL) - Dzierkals (QMJHL)
Lazarevs (Swiss Jr.) - Buncis (NAHL/USHL) - Egle (USHL)
Razgals (KHL/MHL) - Galoha (MHL) - Buss (MHL) (HK Riga line)
Puide (Swiss Jr.) - Sprukts (MHL) - Sislannikovs (MHL)
Rubins (Allsvenskan/Sweden Jr.) - G .Jansons (NAHL)
Cukste (USHL) - Balinskis (MHL)
Ponomarenko (GET-l) - Zile (MHL)
E.H.Jansons (Latvia)
Kivlenieks (NAHL)
Grigals (MHL) or Romanovskis (Latvia)
This team presents explosive first offensive line (they were truly dominating vs. KAZ, Abols said after the game that he hadn't slept in a bed for the past three days, both him and Dzierkals had only just arrived from NA). Dzierkals is truly a beast, and in the long run seems like an amazing playmaker, a more skilled version of Mikelis Redlihs, hopefully playing in NA will also add some more grit and physicality to him.
This roster includes 3 NHL drafted players (Balcers, Dzierkals, Cukste) and very likely 2016 Draft candidates in the shape of Rubins and Abols.
What I like the most is the solid depth of both the offensive and defensive lines.
Balcers (GET-l) - Abols (WHL) - Dzierkals (QMJHL)
Lazarevs (Swiss Jr.) - Buncis (NAHL/USHL) - Egle (USHL)
Razgals (KHL/MHL) - Galoha (MHL) - Buss (MHL) (HK Riga line)
Puide (Swiss Jr.) - Sprukts (MHL) - Sislannikovs (MHL)
Rubins (Allsvenskan/Sweden Jr.) - G .Jansons (NAHL)
Cukste (USHL) - Balinskis (MHL)
Ponomarenko (GET-l) - Zile (MHL)
E.H.Jansons (Latvia)
Kivlenieks (NAHL)
Grigals (MHL) or Romanovskis (Latvia)
This team presents explosive first offensive line (they were truly dominating vs. KAZ, Abols said after the game that he hadn't slept in a bed for the past three days, both him and Dzierkals had only just arrived from NA). Dzierkals is truly a beast, and in the long run seems like an amazing playmaker, a more skilled version of Mikelis Redlihs, hopefully playing in NA will also add some more grit and physicality to him.
This roster includes 3 NHL drafted players (Balcers, Dzierkals, Cukste) and very likely 2016 Draft candidates in the shape of Rubins and Abols.
What I like the most is the solid depth of both the offensive and defensive lines.
