[Sandman]

Hlinka Gretzky Tournament Day 3 Thoughts, Canada vs. Switzerland, from Aug.2nd (I'm 2 days late):

-The first line of Misa (2a)-Catton (2g)-Wetsch (1a) were stars again today, but the second line of Beaudoin (1g/1a)-McQueen (1g)-Ritchie (2a) were just as good. Canada wins 5-0, but the Swiss played a pretty good game. They had a lot of grit and speed today, and played fairly good defense despite the score. Pretty mean, chippy game from both teams today.
-Can't say enough about Catton- he might be the best player in the tournament. A tournament with players this young is much more wide open than the typical junior game, but Catton plays with maturity and poise. Responsible in all facets of the game. Fast with good hands and vision, and an intelligent off-puck game.
-Misa is a 2025 eligible, and he's supremely skilled with outlandish hockey sense. He's quite good along the boards, too- and plays effectively from the half-boards on the PP.
-D Charlie Elick had the most ice-time again today, and he was fantastic. Best D on the ice, despite no points, and he's had a fantastic tournament. He's 6'3", skates very well, and is a very dependable player in all 3 zones, especially defensively. He's got an excellent shot, but has some trouble getting it through traffic, or on net. He's perhaps not going to be the biggest points-producer, but he's good at distributing from the blueline, and has shown himself to be very adept at keeping play alive in the offensive zone- nullifying many clearing attempts in this tourney. Today, he was activating a bit more off the rush, and roaming a bit more in search of scoring plays. Elick is also a native Calgarian.
-Elick's D partner, Henry Mews had no points, but along with Ryder Ritchie, was tied with a game-high +3. After games today on August 4th, Mews (7 points) is the highest-scoring D in the tournament, 2 points up on the next highest-scoring D-man, Sweden's Leo Sallin Welenius- with 5 points. Mews is calm and poised in all areas, highly skilled, drives play, and sees the ice better than most of his peers. He will undoubtedly be a high pick in 2024.
-D Sam Dickinson had the third-most TOI for Canada (21:59), and is cut from a similar cloth as Elick- although I think Dickinson has more offensive chops, and will activate a bit more. He's 6'3" as well, possesses good mobility, and is a dependable minute-muncher. He too has an excellent point shot, but his is more accurate, and more likely to find it's way through to the net.
-Really, really like C Roger McQueen. It's so hard to believe that's he's not draft-eligible until 2025. He's 16, and already 6'4" with good mobility. He understands the C position better than most kids in his age group, and does all the little things to help his team win. As of August 4th, he's tied for 7th in tournament scoring, and first in plus/minus with +10. Good two-way C, and can play a physical game.
-C/W Cole Beaudoin had 1g/1a today, with a +2 in 17:42 TOI. He's big and hard-nosed, and does a lot of the heavy-lifting. Won't be outworked or outmuscled, and does all the little things.
-D Anthony Cristoforo played less than 7 minutes, and was pretty shaky with the puck. He's only 5'11", and seems to lose a lot of the 50/50 battles. He has plenty of offensive skill and skates very well, but needs work on his decision-making, and defensive game. 41 points in 63 games for Windsor of the OHL last season, so he'll be around a ppg this year, and may be a first-rounder.
-D Ben Danford has been playing third-pairing, and has been virtually invisible- which might be a good thing. When I have noticed him, it's because of a timely stick-lift, poke check. or intercepted pass. Solid, but not spectacular, at least in this tourney.
-C Cayden Lindstrom has been noticeable, mostly because he's 6'5" and has impressive mobility. Lindstrom was one of 4 nominees for the WHL's Rookie of the Year Award, but ultimately lost to Ryder Ritchie. Lindstrom uses his size well in board battles, and to separate man from puck, and he can also dish out the odd hit. He's been playing bottom-6 minutes, so he hasn't had many opportunities to unleash his laser shot, but he shows flashes of being an excellent two-way player. Keep an eye on him.
-D Frankie Marrelli played the 4th-most minutes today, and has quietly been very effective for Team Canada. He's smallish, but plays with heart, and pays attention to his defensive duties.
-RW Porter Martone had no points, but was a more of a physical force today. He's another 6'3" power forward who is not devoid of mobility or skill.
-RW Maxim Masse has been one of Canada's top offensive contributors, despite playing mainly on the 4th line. He had another goal today, and only 11:04 TOI. Excellent hands and vision, but I think he needs a bit of work on his skating, defensive play, and consistency.
-D Zayne Parekh didn't play much again, with only 9:40 TOI. He's one of the team's best skaters, and is brimming with offensive skill. He set an OHL record last year for goals by a 16 year-old D, with 21, and is projected to go high in the 2024 Draft. I think he's too much of a rover at this point, and plays a pond hockey style with not enough usage of his teammates- or so it would seem, in this tournament. His skill and skating are undeniable, though.
-RW Justin Poirier had no points in only 10:18 TOI. Again, he was chippy and physical, despite being only 5'8". Needs work on his defensive coverage, and his skating.
-W Ryder Ritchie was again one of the best players on the ice. 2 assists, +3 in 16:23 TOI. He's 6'0", and still growing, and has everything you want in a top-6 forward- he can stickhandle in a phone booth, outskate defenders and beat them wide, excellent hands, good shot with deceptiveness, and vision.
-LW Malcolm Spence was very noticeable today, weaving through traffic with his speed. 1 assist and +1, with 3 shots in 16:39 TOI. He's quietly had a point in each game, and his ice-time has increased in each contest. He's another 2025 Draft-eligible, who put up 42 points in 64 games for the Erie Otters. He's obviously fast and a very good stickhandler, with good hands around the net and playmaking ability. He was buzzing around the ice at times today.
-W Carson Wetsch is an energetic, 6'2" banger with good mobility, and a killer work-ethic. He's been riding shotgun on the top line with Misa and Catton, which shows that he's not without offensive ability. Another assist today,+1, and 2 shots.