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World Juniors 2020
The Hockey News’ XL-sized 100-page World Junior Championship Preview tees up the annual holiday classic with in-depth breakdowns of Team Canada and the United States, plus features on Joe Veleno and Cole Caufield. We also key on one prospect to watch for the Swedes, Finns, Russians and Czechs and provide scouting reports on all the squads. On top of our WJC coverage, we have features on the dynamic between Buffalo's new coach and Jack Eichel; Dougie Hamilton; a history of hockey video games; why hitting is disappearing from the NHL; and much more.
Jersey Hound
FROLUNDA INDIANS | 2019-20 TO COMMEMORATE THEIR FIRST year in Sweden’s top division, Frolunda is bringing back the jerseys they wore during that season 60 years ago. Back then, the team was known as Vastra Frolunda (translation: West Frolunda), with the current Indians nickname inspired by the team being known for its “Wild West” tactics in the 1970s. What impresses about this throwback is the simplicity and effectiveness: the lack of ads is a treat, as is the color scheme that brings to mind Sweden’s famous national sweaters. The word-mark logo on a solid stripe is great, but the ‘VF’ and proper umlaut over the ‘o’ make it really cool.…
Scouting Report
THERE ARE CERTAIN TRADEMARKS to coach Valeri Bragin’s Russian teams: they are experienced, they are defensively fierce and they play heavy. Expect more of the same this year, with the Russians poised to make a run for gold - if they go with super-prospect Yaroslav Askarov in net. It may not be traditional to ride a 17-year-old goaltender at the WJC, but Askarov already has a decorated international resume and he offers more upside than any of the older candidates. Of course, thanks to some of the weapons that Bragin has at his disposal, goaltending might not even have to be the deciding factor. The attack will be led by Florida pick Grigori Denisenko, with Vancouver prospect Vasily Podkolzin also playing a role – particularly on the forecheck. Big-bodied Kirill Marchenko…
CALLING A TIMEOUT FOR FUN
TIS THE SEASON TO be jolly, which is desperately needed in this age of folly. The holidays are a respite, a timeout from the madness when we hopefully can call an ideological truce and agree to ditch politics for joysticks, recognize our polar views should only come from the North and concede the critical cherry debate is why on Earth we put candied ones in cakes. Blech. During the break, we’re also blessed with World Junior Championship competition, the most wonderfully exuberant hockey of the year. Ryan Kennedy, who will be podcasting from Ostrava, Czech Republic, during the tournament, tees up the 2020 WJC with scouting reports and predictions. This special holiday edition of The Hockey News also pays homage to video games of yore in a deep-dive feature by senior…
One To Watch: VILLE HEINOLA
THN’s ODDS FOR GOLD: 10-1 RECENT HISTORY SUGGESTS Finland may have some trouble at this year’s world juniors. After all, the program has been very boom-bust, winning gold medals one year and then bombing out the next. But defenseman Ville Heinola was optimistic about this year’s team at summer camp in Michigan. “We have more skilled D-men,” he said. “It’s good because in our system we want to play with the puck.” Heinola will be a crucial part of that equation. Through a combination of bad injuries to others and his own steady play, the 18-year-old began the season in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, who took him in the first round of the 2019 draft. The teenager played eight games, tallying five points and logging more than 20 minutes of…
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