2012-13 World Junior Championships: Prospects To Watch

BY MISSY ZIELINSKI

With the National Hockey League (NHL) dismantling more than half of their regular season thus far due to the lockout, a few unexpected faces will make appearances at this year's 2012-13 World Junior U-20 Championships (WJC) being hosted in Ufa, Russia.

 

The tournament that begun early Wednesday morning and runs through January 5, when the gold medal game will be played, doesn't just feature 2011's top draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the 2012 top draft pick Nail Yakupov, but some other leaders out of this year's draft class as well as draft eligibles to keep note of.

As today's games have all finished, each team in the tournament has now played at least once (Latvia and Germany have each played twice) and will continue the round robin part of the tournament until they've played each one of the teams in their pool (10 teams have been divided into two pools of five - 'Pool A' and 'Pool B') before moving on to the next rounds of the tournament next Wednesday (Jan. 2).

Here's my player-to-watch list to guide you through the up-and-coming prospects in the world of hockey team-by-team:

CANADA
Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, is in this year's WJC simply by the fact that he's a junior by birthdate only. The 19-year-old center playing for Team Canada has already accumulated five points in the 2012-13 WJC with one goal and four assists. For Nugent-Hopkins an exemplary start may be due to the fact that he was cut by Team Canada at age 17 while with the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels in the 2010-11 season.

During his rookie season with the Edmonton Oilers in 2011-12, Nugent-Hopkins dished out 18 goals and 43 assists (52 points) in 62 games and was a part of the 2011-12 NHL All-Rookie Team. Nugent-Hopkins is currently playing for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Oklahoma City Barons, tallying 20 points in 19 appearances.

Team Canada, who's already achieved their first win in the tournament early Wednesday morning (a 9-3 victory against Finland), doesn't only feature Nugent-Hopkins, but a well-seasoned roster including: Jonathan Huberdeau, Mark Scheifele, Nathan MacKinnon and Malcolm Subban.

Nineteen-year-old Huberdeau, the third overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers has contributed three points already (one goal and two assists). Fans can expect to see great scoring and playmaking skills from this crafty left winger who attributed to nine points during last year's WJC with one goal and eight assists (nine points) in six games.

In his current stint with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's (QMJHL) Saint John Sea Dogs, Huberdeau has 45 points (16 goals and 29 assists) through his first 30 games.

Next on the docket for Canada, Winnipeg Jets center and right-winger Scheifele, whose two goals helped secure Canada's first win of the tournament. The seventh overall draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Scheifele's a dominant forward in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and should be able to help Canada cruise through the red robin round of the tournament with the playmaking and goal-scoring ability he exudes.

A member of the OHL’s Barrie Colts, Scheifele has an impressive 21 goals and 27 assists (48 points) in 29 games this season.

The highly sought after and arguably the top eligible draft prospect Nathan MacKinnon is also a representative for Canada in this year's tournament. Showcasing his skating abilities and puckhandling, MacKinnon has already added one helper during this year's WJC.

The 17-year-old is currently skating for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL and ranks fifth in the league with 52 points (22 goals and 30 assists) in 30 games.

Finishing off Canada's roster is goaltender Malcolm Subban.

Subban, the brother of Montreal Canadien’s defenseman P.K. Subban, was just named Team Canada's starter after his tournament start on Wednesday by achieving a 3.00 goals-against average and a .893 save-percentage despite stating that he was 'nervous' in his debut.

The 24th overall pick in the 2012 draft class serves as the netminder for the OHL’s Belleville Bulls and boasts a 2.17 goals-against average and a .932 save-percentage in 26 games, good for second in the OHL behind the Kitchener Rangers’ Franky Palazzese.

SWEDEN
The defending-champions began right where they left off from the 2011-12 WJC with a 4-1 win against the Czech Republic Wednesday morning.

Captain of team Sweden and the 11th overall draft pick for the Washington Capitals in the 2012 Draft, winger Filip Forsberg tallied a goal in the win, equaling his point count from last year.

For Forsberg the tournament will allow the highly-skilled, two-way player to grow as he shows off his impressive stick handling abilities and creativity during this year's tournament. Currently the 18-year-old is playing for Leksand of the Swedish Allsvenskan league where he's managed nine goals and 10 assists (19 points) during the 2012-13 season.

UNITED STATES
Playing their first game early this morning and winning 8-0 against Germany, two notable players skating for the United States in the WJC this year include 18-year-old center/left winger Alex Galchenyuk and 18-year-old winger Riley Barber.

The Montreal Canadiens pick in this year's draft (3rd overall), playmaker Galchenyuk is sandwiched between fellow tournament-goer Ryan Strome and the London Knights’ Seth Griffith for second in the OHL in points (62). In the 8-0 whitewash of Germany, Galchenyuk tallied one of those goals and assisted in two others (three points).

As a member of the Sarnia Sting, the American-born Galchenyuk is also tied for first in the OHL in goals with 27.

Another prospect drafted by the Capitals in this year's draft, Riley Barber has already gained attention from scouts in Game 1 of the tournament. Skating on a line with top prospect Galchenyuk and Miami University teammate Sean Kuraly, Barber helped lift the US to an early lead with three points (one goal and two assists) after just a little over one period in today's 9 a.m. contest.

The right winger represents the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) on this list and has 22 points (eight goals and 14 assists) for the RedHawks in 18 games.

RUSSIA
Escaping with a victory with a 3-2 overtime rally against Slovakia on Wednesday, this year's top prospect Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko represent Russia this year.

Edmonton Oilers top prospect Yakupov showed off his offensive ability and good hockey sense as he dished out nine assists in seven games during last year's WJC.

While skating for the Kontinental Hockey League's (KHL) Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk this season, Yakupov has seen playing-time in 22 games and contributed 18 points.

Finishing out the list is 18-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko, the 12th overall pick by the NHL's Buffalo Sabres during this year's draft. Grigorenko should be able to show off his playmaking ability and puck skills as he's done during the 2012-13 season with the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts. Only two points behind Canada's MacKinnon in points in the QMJHL with 50, Grigorenko scored two goals and added three assists for Russia in the 2011-12 WJC.

Honorable Mention
Canadian-born Griffin Reinhart and Morgan Reilly are two faces to watch for from the blueline. Drafted fourth and fifth overall (New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs) in this year's draft, respectively, Reinhart and Reilly both played in their first game for Canada on Wednesday.

Finnish-born Aleksander Barkov is considered a top prospect in the 2013 draft class and is currently playing for Tappara Tampere of the top Finnish League. At last year's World Junior's Barkov tallied one goal and three assists (four points) in seven games.

Blueliner Seth Jones represents the USA this year and should be an offensive threat if his performance can match his offensive output during the 2011-12 WJC-18 tournament, where Jones accumulated eight points (three goals and five assists) in six games for Team USA and already has three points in this year's tournament after Game 1.

A member of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks, Jones has shown off his athletic ability and solid offensive and defensive capabilities during this season by dishing out eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in 31 games.

2011-12 World Junior Championships Results
In last year's WJC Sweden beat defending-champion Russia 1-0 in overtime for their first title in 31 years, while Canada missed the finals for the first time in 11 years after losing to Russia in the semifinals. Canada beat Finland in the bronze medal game, 4-0, extending their medal streak to 14.

Finland's fourth-place finish was their best finish since 2006 and the United States ended up in the relegation round for the first time since 1999.

Washington Capitals prospect and Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov's 13 points were good enough for the tournament's most valuable player as he tallied six goals and seven assists in seven games.

FOR THE FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND RESULTS: CLICK HERE

 

The Journey To 900

BY MISSY ZIELINSKI

As the Big East conference's Syracuse Orange look to go 10-0 in the early part of the 2012-13 National College Athletic Association (NCAA) men's basketball season, tonight's match up against the Detroit Titans will be sure to draw more than the usual pre-conference/Big East crowd as Syracuse rolls through the early weeks of their schedule.

That's because tonight Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim will be going for win number 900 - a milestone that's only been accomplished twice before (Army head coach Bob Knight, 903, and Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, 936).

Boeheim's 899th win came Saturday night against Canisius as Syracuse beat the Golden Griffins 85-61 at the Carrier Dome. The victory against Canisius extended their non-conference home winning streak to 51 and their home court winning streak to 29.

The coach of Syracuse for the last 37 years, Boeheim has seen success in many forms with the Orange that includes: being named the 2003 NCAA Champions, reaching the NCAA Tournament 29 times, three Final Four appearances, 11 conference championships and the pleasure of coaching such NBA players as the New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony.

During his tenure Boeheim has seen the university be ranked number one in the Associated Press (AP) Poll four times (most recently in 2011-12, 2009-10, 1989-90, 1987-88) and has donned a .747 career win-loss percentage and an 899-304 all-time record. 

While their lack of competition has been seen more often than not thus far - No. 4 ranked Syracuse's biggest margin of victory this season was 52 against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's Monmouth Hawks and their smallest margin of victory this season was nine against the Arkansas Razorback who's last NCAA tournament appearance came in 2007-08 - the Orange must tighten up come the New Year (January 2nd, 2013 Syracuse will face their first conference team - the Rutgers Scarlet Knights).
The odds are in Boeheim and the Orange's favor in the search for 900 as they lead the all-time series with Detroit, 4-1.

In 1961 the Titans won the first meeting, but Syracuse hasn't looked back from the win column and has won the last four times. Most recently on November 16, 2010 Syracuse defeated the Titans, 66-55. Detroit enters the 7 p.m. matchup at the Carrier Dome as part of the Chevorlet Gotham Classic with a 6-4 record.

The NFL Rookie Round-Up

BY MELISSA ZIELINSKI



As Week 12 of the National Football League concluded Monday night it seemed a good time to touch base with three rookie quarterbacks among the 2012 draft class: Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill who all went 3-0 during the Thanksgiving weekend.

It's also a good time to note that another young quarterback Colin Kaepernick got his second nod at the starting role for the San Francisco 49ers this week against the New Orleans Saints. Kaepernick is now 2-0 in two starts with San Francisco.

To start things off, how about the 7-4 Indianapolis Colts where things look drastically different than last year.

Luck was the first overall draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft and had big shoes to fill as the Colts eyed him far before the draft took place. For fans forced to see the 2011 Colts Peyton-less and now the franchise Peyton-less too, the team needed a knight in shining armor figure for 2012. Luck was assumed to fill that role as Indianapolis' new franchise quarterback.

While noteable losses of Pierre Garcon, Joseph Addai and Dallas Clark and an oustanding list of injuries including: running back Donald Brown, wide receiver Austin Collie and tight end Coby Fleener left the Colts inconsistent through the first half of the schedule, Luck and the Colts may be finding a little of their own 'luck' as they've won five of their last six contests.

Indy currently sits in second place in the American Football Conference (AFC) South dvision right behind a stellar 10-1 Houston Texans squad. It's a bit early, but they also hold a Wild Card spot for the 2012 playoffs as it currently stands.

Next in line - RGIII - the second overall draft pick in this year's draft and savior to the Washington Redskins. Though the story hasn't necessarily been a fairy tale, there have deffinately been shining moments which justify that the Skins are moving in the right direction.

After balancing a .500 record through the first four games of the season, things began to get dissmal in October, losing three of four games and starting out November with a loss too. Despite some hard hits that shook up RGIII along the way,  he's been able to start all 11 games this season and with good measure.

RGIII has thrown 16 touchdowns for 2,504 yards all while adding 642 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns of his own (ranks seventh in the league).  Griffin III has also thrown 206 completions of 305 attempts at a completion-percentage of 67.5 and is first in the NFL in yards per pass attempts (8.2)

A bye week seemed to be just what the former Baylor University quarterback and his teammates needed as RGIII has now been named team captain and has gone 2-0 in crucial division rival match-ups against the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Washingoton still has playoff hopes alive, but they must face three more division foes (the New York Giants this Sunday and the Eagles and Cowboys in weeks 16 and 17) along with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, which calls for a dramatic end to a season the DMV can't draw their eyes away from.

The Miami Dolphins Ryan Tannehill a rookie quarterback from Texas A&M and the Dolphins first draft pick in 2012 (eighth overall) brings another 5-6 record and possible playoff team to the table.

Though Tannehill hasn't been a 'knight in shining armor' or 'the savior' as Luck has been toward the Colts and RGIII has been for the Skins, he has brought the possibility of staying for more than two successive years with the squad to the minds of Miami fans.

After embarassing loses to two teams with losing records (Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills) and recording and 'L' in the loss column in three of the last five games, it seemed that the Miami Dolphins might be on their way out of the playoff picture with a quarterback who couldn't match up to the allure of RGIII and Luck. Tannehill's talent and the team he's been given is quite frankly a work in progress compared to the other elites, but Tannehill is still a force to be wreckoned with.

Despite the mediocre 5-6 record Tannehill has lost four games this season by a combined 14 points, including two back-to-back overtime loses where Miami's fate was decided by a field goal. Another loss also came against Luck and the Colts by again - a field goal.

Tannehill must work on his consistency moving forward as he tries to chain together a number of wins if the Dolphins possibility of a Wild Card playoff spot wants to remain within reach. That includes more touchdowns (he currently has seven) and less interceptions (12).

Unfortunately of the three rookie quarterbacks, Miami has the most difficult schedule with three divisional match ups to go (two against first-place New England Patriots and one against Buffalo), a battle verse the first-place San Francisco 49ers and also the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As it seems that every game against another rookie quartback is a battle in its own, perhaps up and coming quarterback Kaepernick will show exactly what he's worth when he faces Tannehill in two weeks. And as more weeks than not are behind us, the picture will remain unclear of how many rookie quarterbacks can lift their team to a playoff berth during their first season in the pros perhaps all the way to Week 17.