[Sandman]

Hlinka Summary, Part 3:

-RD Juho Piiparinen, FIN (6'3",201lbs): Craig Button made the comment during the Bronze Medal Game that Piiparinen might be the second-best defenseman in this class, behind Verhoeff. Time will tell, but Pips was Mr. Everything for the Finns in this tournament, executing his game to perfection in both ends of the rink, contributing well on both special teams, and tilting the ice with his excellence in transition; he's confident and poised under pressure with the puck, and a calming presence on the backend. He flashes big-time offensive skill (5gp/0g/3a/3pts,+4, 0 PIM), and wasn't afraid to join the rush, or activate deep into the zone to create opportunities. Going the other way, Pips is excellent against the rush with his ability to angle opponents to the boards to separate man from puck with his deft stickwork, and he's a play-killer in the defensive zone with how well he reads and anticipates the play. He recovers pucks aplenty, and his breakouts are usually on point. His skating needs another gear or two, his shot needs better power and precision, and improved physicality would go a long way, but Piiparinen is a D who can log huge minutes in important situations, and provide his team with solid play all over the ice. He's also quite young, with an August 10th birthday- definitely one to watch this season.

-C/RW Nolan Duskocy, USA (6'2",190lbs): Duskocy was charged with bottom-six duties, and was not given much ice-time, but I thought he was very noticeable in a positive way every time he was on the ice, and he finished in a tie for 6th in scoring for Team USA, with 5gp/1g/3a/4pts,+4, 2 PIM. Duskocy supplies energy and grit, physicality along the boards, and exemplary defensive play, but can obviously chip in some offense when he gets the opportunity. He is not without skill though, and he's a fairly good skater, too. He's signed on to play with the Charlottetown Islanders this year, and I look forward to seeing what he can do.

-LHC Beckham Edwards, CAN (6'1",181lbs): I really like this kid- he competes hard, plays with energy and grit, doesn't mind the rough going, and is more than willing to muck and grind. Edwards is an excellent skater, and uses his speed to frustrate opponents on the forecheck, but also to pursue puck-carriers and break up plays on the backcheck. He will throw hits, battles for loose pucks along the wall, and fights for positioning in front of the net. I admire his attention to playing good defense (he was tied with Mathis Preston for 6th-overall in plus/minus, with a +7), and he was charged with PK duty, but like some of his teammates- I was a bit disappointed in his offensive output (5gp/2g/1a/3pts,+7, 0 PIM). Edwards showed his off-puck prowess in how he supports his teammates, stays in position to be a playable option, identifies threats early, plays detailed defense, ties up sticks, and aids his D down low. In the other end of the rink, he can make plays off the rush or the cycle, but his primary weapon looks to be his laser of a shot, facilitated by a wicked release that can freeze goalies. As a 16 year-old last season for the Sarnia Sting, he amassed 25 goals and 45 points in just 62 games. Already an early favorite of mine, he looks like a first-rounder next summer.

-LHC Tynan Lawrence, CAN (6'0",185lbs): Lawrence was often not only Team Canada's best forward, but he was often their best player, period- I have no idea how he ended up tied for 9th in scoring on that team (5gp/1g/2a/3pts,+2, 6 PIM). Already blessed with near-elite speed and relentless motor, he pushes unmatchable pace to keep opponents (and teammates) on their toes, and will not be outworked, or outhustled. He expertly finds or creates space to operate, and has the vision, IQ, and creativity to drive play, manufacture high-end chances, and elevate his teammates. While he may not be the biggest player, and doesn't possess a high-end shot, Lawrence still manages to do everything you would want a top center to do- and that includes his detailed defensive game, his good habits, and his seemingly effortless ability to transition the puck from defense to offense with his speed and skilled handling abilities. To paint another picture of how good this kid is, he put up 25 goals and 54 points (49 PIM) in just 56 USHL games as a 16 year-old, to lead Muskegon in scoring- and then amassed 18 points in 14 playoff games; he doesn't even turn 18 until August 3rd! Lawrence isn't a very physical player, but he goes to the greasy areas of the ice, battles hard for pucks, and attacks the middle without fear. Love him!

-LHD Carson Carels, CAN (6'2",194lbs): I liked him in the U-18's, and I liked him again in this tournament. Carels is a well-rounded, two-way performer who thrives in playing a near-spotless shut-down role, using his surprising four-way mobility, well-timed stickwork, and a dose of physicality. He is a weapon against the rush with his ability to mirror his opponents footwork, angling attackers out of danger, and he doesn't easily fall for deception or changes of direction. In this tournament, he anchored a pairing with the high-flying Ryan Lin in a defensive role, and kept things (as he always does) very simple and risk-free- although he showed a willingness to join the rush, or pinch in from the point when the coast was clear, and he owns a powerful shot. Though he isn't very dynamic, he's still reasonably skilled, and moves the puck up-ice with speed and efficiency, but I think there's more here. Last season in Prince George of the WHL, he had 35 points in just 60 games as a 16 year-old (another youngster too, with a June 23rd birthday), so I believe he might approach a PPG in that league, and will surely be in the first-round conversation.

-RHC Alessandro Di Iorio, CAN (6'1",190lbs): Di Iorio was in the bottom-six for Team Canada, used primarily as a checker, and managed to post 5gp/1g/1a/2pts,+1, 2 PIM. As everyone who has watched him will note, he employs an awkward-looking stride with deficient extension, but still generates surprising power and speed- which makes me believe he could develop into a real speedster when he fixes his mechanics and gets stronger. With his mobility and physicality, he's a load to handle on the forecheck, and similarly- he attacks the greasy areas with tenacity to win pucks, fights through contact, and will drop a shoulder to lean into opponents in order to bull his way through traffic, like a prototypical power-forward. He competes, and plays hard. Defensively, he owns excellent awareness and good details to kill plays, takes away the middle effectively, supports his D down low, and applies a high activity rate with exemplary positioning. Di Iorio also has above-average vision and hockey sense in the offensive zone in making plays, but his primary weapon might be his stunning release- I think he really needs to use it more. With Sarnia last season, he compiled 38 points in just 58 games.

-RHC Colin Fitzgerald, CAN (6'2",207lbs): Fitzy was Team Canada's 4th-line C in this tournament (5gp/0g/2a/2pts,+1, 2 PIM), and despite not getting a whole lot of ice-time, I really came to like this kid. He's a big power-forward with plenty of hard-skill and physicality, and I think he's been underrated because he plays on one of the worst teams in the CHL, the Peterborough Petes. He competes hard, is blessed with high motor, and though he may not be a burner, he's a surprisingly quick and agile skater who is strong on his feet, and hard to knock off the puck. With his speed, tenacity, and high work-ethic, he is a beast on the forecheck (even beating an icing or two), a menace in front of the net, a constant presence in open-ice, and hard to beat along the boards. There weren't many opportunities in this event for him to show what he's capable of offensively, but he's already showing his smarts and awareness in his own-zone, as well as his intensity on the backcheck, his proficiency in supporting his teammates off-puck, and an ability to push defenses back when flying through the neutral zone. He made a few smart plays to set up chances, and he looks to have a reasonably hard shot. Fitzgerald's 28 points in 48 games for the Petes was 6th on the team, but his 0.58 ppg was better than 5 of his teammates in the top-5- he was only 9 points out of first. Looking forward to watching him this year, but I hope he gets traded.

-RHC Brooks Rogowski, USA (6'7",227lbs): A moving skyscraper, Rogowski is a treat to watch because he skates quite well for a player of his size, and has a modicum of skill and smarts, putting up 5gp/1g/2a/3pts,+1, 6 PIM in this tournament. He's a physical player and hits hard, using his body to win battles along the boards, park himself in front of the net, and bully his way to wherever he chooses to go. His office is the low slot, where he makes himself an imposing screen, gives opposing defensemen fits, and waits for rebounds, tips, and loose pucks. He's no Datsyuk, but his puck-skills are another surprising part of his game; he can move through traffic while beating checkers one-on-one, and he exhibits impregnable protection skills. Rogowski has a wide wingspan with an extra-long stick, that he uses to be a very useful defensive player, with help from his keen awareness and anticipation. He exerts sound positioning, and works hard to disrupt enemy incursions into his zone. There's flashes of quality playmaking skill, but his shot could use some work- both in it's power and it's precision. Rogowski picked up 23 points in 66 games (only 9 PIM) for Ottawa of the OHL last season, with another 6 points in 19 playoff games.

Part 4 Coming Soon!