U17 World Hockey Challenge

[Czechboy]

It will be their U-17 NTDP: U.S. National U17 Team at eliteprospects.com

Is that the big boy team? Eg. the best? Or the thing they send to Hlinka?lol

 

[Goodman68]

Is that the big boy team? Eg. the best? Or the thing they send to Hlinka?lol

Probably just a polite question
The USNTDP is their elite development program.

 

[Czechboy]

Probably just a polite question
The USNTDP is their elite development program.

We are going to get killed, aren't we?

2 Canada's instead of 3 makes both teams stronger.

US with their elite

Swedes with a great age group.

 

[Goodman68]

We are going to get killed, aren't we?

2 Canada's instead of 3 makes both teams stronger.

US with their elite

Swedes with a great age group.

Yes, we probably won't have it easy

 

[WarriorofTime]

Is that the big boy team? Eg. the best? Or the thing they send to Hlinka?lol

The USNDTP is the "big boy" team, but the U17s have not performed particularly well thus far to start the season. They are 3-7-0 overall and winless against USHL competition, with two of their wins coming against Minnesota High School all stars (which are likely a notch below NAHL). Last year's U-17 group (the current U-18s) had about three wins against USHL teams at this time last season.

 

[ddlennon]

We are going to get killed, aren't we?

2 Canada's instead of 3 makes both teams stronger.

US with their elite

Swedes with a great age group.

Dont worry atleast youll have finland there to beat up on!

 

[Czechboy]

Dont worry atleast youll have finland there to beat up on!

I doubt it.. aren't they back on track after a weak draft year (for their good standards)?

I'm actually excited about our team and tourney but have very low expectations. I really enjoyed last years team and they got killed but you could see some of the talent.. the talent showed up at Hlinka and killed it. We are always late to the game.lol

 

[ddlennon]

I doubt it.. aren't they back on track after a weak draft year (for their good standards)?

I'm actually excited about our team and tourney but have very low expectations. I really enjoyed last years team and they got killed but you could see some of the talent.. the talent showed up at Hlinka and killed it. We are always late to the game.lol

Thats the 06 group, 07s dont seem to have the top talent nor the depth

 

[Predatore]

Love this tournament. Quality hockey and I like that you get to see so many Canadian top prospects in one event. I personally would not mind a U.S. ”Best of the rest” team being added. I.E. the top players not in the NTDP.

Also, often the first time Euro teams get to face NA teams, providing a decent indicator of how well they measure up.

 

[Czechboy]

Love this tournament. Quality hockey and I like that you get to see so many Canadian top prospects in one event. I personally would not mind a U.S. ”Best of the rest” team being added. I.E. the top players not in the NTDP.

Also, often the first time Euro teams get to face NA teams, providing a decent indicator of how well they measure up.

Agree... a second US squad would be nice. They have the depth for that. Arguably, so would Sweden.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Number of Canadian teams has gone from 5 to 3 now to 2. Interesting sign of the changing times.

 

[clevelandcane]

It will be their U-17 NTDP: U.S. National U17 Team at eliteprospects.com

I didn't think they sent the NTDP team for that tourney.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I didn't think they sent the NTDP team for that tourney.

They do every year

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is that the big boy team? Eg. the best? Or the thing they send to Hlinka?lol

The NTDP players. The summer tournament players (non-NTDP) don’t play again until next summer. There is one player from that roster (Vern Fiddler’s kid) on the Canada White roster.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The USNDTP is the "big boy" team, but the U17s have not performed particularly well thus far to start the season. They are 3-7-0 overall and winless against USHL competition, with two of their wins coming against Minnesota High School all stars (which are likely a notch below NAHL). Last year's U-17 group (the current U-18s) had about three wins against USHL teams at this time last season.

That’s normal though. USHL teams with 19 and 20 year olds are going to kick the ass of U17’s. I don’t think the 2006’s are that good outside the big 3. It doesn’t sound like this team is gonna be good either, but they still should have a good chance at this tournament. The 2006’s won it easily, and they weren’t that good.

 

[WarriorofTime]

That’s normal though. USHL teams with 19 and 20 year olds are going to kick the ass of U17’s. I don’t think the 2006’s are that good outside the big 3. It doesn’t sound like this team is gonna be good either, but they still should have a good chance at this tournament. The 2006’s won it easily, and they weren’t that good.

2006s at least had a few superstars, not sure what the 2007s have in that regard

 

[Pazucha]

Slovakia will send their 8 best 2007 players to a different U18 and U20 tournament.

Seven 2007 -> U18
One 2007 -> U20

Wrong thread

 

[dryz]

So Benak is going after all. They added him to the roster.

 

[Goodman68]

So Benak is going after all. They added him to the roster.

As a result, the possibility of him playing in the junior championship probably disappears. It would probably be too much for him physically.

 

[Wooren]

So Benak is going after all. They added him to the roster.

Seems like it was either U18 or U17, in which case this U17 tournament is the only right choice.

That means Czechs are pretty much at full strenght, argument can be made for Bartovic and Fajmon missing, but that's about it.

 

[Czechboy]

Seems like it was either U18 or U17, in which case this U17 tournament is the only right choice.

That means Czechs are pretty much at full strenght, argument can be made for Bartovic and Fajmon missing, but that's about it.

How do you like the teams chances?

 

[Czechboy]

I hope Benak gets triple gold this year...

Silver at Hlinka
Gold at U17 next week
Gold at U20 at Xmas
Gold at U18 at Easter

Then send him to the Czech hall of fame and retire his jersey.lol

 

[Wooren]

How do you like the teams chances?

It's for the best to keep expectations low. Addition of Benak could make them possibly a dark horse for a medal finish, but for majority of players it's the first time they get to face truly world class opponents.

 

[theslatcher]

I hope Benak gets triple gold this year...

Silver at Hlinka
Gold at U17 next week
Gold at U20 at Xmas
Gold at U18 at Easter

Then send him to the Czech hall of fame and retire his jersey.lol

Not even a gold at the WCs for a quadruple smh.

 

[Czechboy]

It's for the best to keep expectations low. Addition of Benak could make them possibly a dark horse for a medal finish, but for majority of players it's the first time they get to face truly world class opponents.

Thanks

Benak might really tilt it for us.

My original guess was we get blown out twice, have a close game and then maybe win a close playoff game at a 50-50 chance.

Now, with Benak, I say only 1 blowout and maybe we win a close playoff game.lol He tilted the ice at Hlinka and curious how he looks here.