CHL, Draft Geek, Game Recap, Hockey Canada, Insight, NHL Draft, Opinion, WHL

How are the WHL Stars doing at the U-18’s?

Written by Kevin Olenick on

 

The preliminary round of the U-18’s is over. Today,  the quarterfinals begin. Canada plays the Czech Republic at 1:00 Pacific.

Not surprisingly, Canada finished four-0 in Group A. They outscored their opponents twenty-eight to five. The most surprising thing about that was Tuesday’s twelve-to-one win over Sweden.

These victories and games had some key contributions from some WHL stars. And of course, from our eyes, we are watching our WHL stars and how they are contributing to Team Canada.

 Thomas Milic

It may seem like a stretch to point out a goaltender that in his games, the score was nineteen to one for Canada. However, Milic was still key. He made a couple of key saves in the first period of the game in Sweden that could have turned that game. He also has given Canada Head Coach Dave Barr options. Remember, Benjamin Guadreau first action this hockey season was against Latvia. And goaltending was the one question mark going into the tournament. Milic performance, while not spectacular, has helped.

 Logan Stankoven

Peter Loubardias said he won’t be surprised if Stankoven scored a key goal in this tournament. His performance against a very game Latvia squad was key. He had a goal and an assist that game. He has two goals, three assists, five points, and a plus seven so far. Stankoven, speed, tenacity, and skill allow him to get into the fabric of the game. Expect that to continue.

 Olen Zellweger

Zellweger’s stats are impressive. One goal, five assists,  for six points. But beyond that, his overall game has been impressive. He’s a defenceman that plays like a forward. He had four assists against Switzerland and has been at least Canada’s top two defencemen with Brandt Clarke.

Connor Bedard

Out of the two 2023 NHL Draft picks in this tournament, the spotlight is on Matvei Michkov more than Bedard. Michkov has nine goals as underage and has a chance to break Alex Ovechkin’s goal-scoring record of fourteen Michkov is not only scoring goals, but he’s also scoring highlight-reel goals.

That does not mean Bedard has not contributed. And quite frankly, considering everything he has been through, it has been impressive. One goal, three assists, four points, and + four. He’s playing this tournament with a heavy heart as his grandfather passed away very recently. Also, and this cannot be stated enough. He’s 15. One.Five. I remember me at that age and let me assure you that I was not playing hockey at the level he’s playing at.

Bedard has a long career ahead of him. Let him enjoy the moment. He will score big goals for Canada.

Dylan Guenther

Some have claimed he has been quiet. However, from the first play in this tournament, Guenther has been a factor. He had the first shot in the opening seconds against Sweden. He also has 2 goals, both game-winning goals, and 3 assists for 5 points. He’s been playing on the number 1 line with Shane Wright and Brennan Othmann. And although Wright has missed 2 games, Guenther is still producing.

Nolan Allen

Allen’s stats aren’t flashy. He has 1 goal. But Allen has been mostly playing with Brooks Bandit Corson Cuelmans and has been a steady rock in the top four As Peter Loubaradias said, you need your top four defencemen to be key. And Allen, Brandt Clarke, Olen Zellweger, and Cuelemans have been solid thus far.

The other two WHLers are defenceman  Denton Mateychuk and goaltender Tyler Brennan. The Prince George Cougar, Brennan has not played yet.16-year-old Mateychuk has played three games with no points.

If Canada is to win a Gold Medal in the tournament, these WHL stars will be a key factor in their success. Let’s watch the medal round and see what happens.