Russia Announces World Junior Selection Camp Roster - The Hockey Writers -

Russia has named the roster for their 2016 World Junior Selection camp.

Head coach Valeri Bragin invited 30 players to selection camp and most likely they’ll try to get down to 23 after the exhibition game against Team Denmark on December 24^th. That 23-man roster will be comprised of three goaltenders and 20 skaters. The WJC will be held in Helsinki, Finland, from December 26^th to January 5^th.

Goaltenders

Alexander Georgiyev, TPS (Fin) (undrafted)
Ilya Samsonov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Washington Capitals, 2015)
Maxim Tretyak, CSKA Moscow (undrafted)

Defensemen

Sergei Boikov, Drummondville Voltigeurs (Colorado Avalanche, 2015)
Nikita Lyamkin, Metallurg Novokuznetsk (undrafted)
Alexander Mikulovich, Niagara IceDogs (undrafted)
Ivan Provorov, Brandon Wheat Kings (Philadelphia Flyers, 2015)
Dmitri Sergeev, Kitchener Rangers (undrafted, NHL rights held by the St. Louis Blues)
Damir Sharipzyanov, Owen Sound Attack (undrafted, NHL rights held by the Los Angeles Kings)
Yegor Rykov, SKA St. Petersburg (undrafted)
Yegor Voronkov, Vityaz Moscow Region (undrafted)
Sergei Zborovsky, Regina Pats (New York Rangers, 2015)
Nikita Zhuldikov, Traktor Chelyabinsk (undrafted)

Forwards

Alexander Dergachyov, SKA St. Petersburg (Los Angeles Kings, 2015)
Radel Fazleev, Calgary Hitmen (Philadelphia Flyers, 2014)
Denis Guryanov, Lada Togliatti (Dallas Stars, 2015)
Vladislav Kamenev, Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators, 2014)
Kirill Kaprizov, Metallurg Novokuznetsk (Minnesota Wild, 2015)
Yegor Korshkov, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (undrafted)
Pavel Kraskovsky, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Winnipeg Jets, 2014)
Andrei Kuzmenko, CSKA Moscow (undrafted)
Artur Lauta, Avangard Omsk (undrafted)
Maxim Lazarev, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (undrafted)
Arkhip Nekolenko, SKA St. Petersburg (undrafted)
Alexander Polunin, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (undrafted)
Evgeny Svechnikov, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (Detroit Red Wings, 2015)
Andrei Svetlakov, CSKA Moscow (undrafted)
Yakov Trenin, Gatineau Olympiques (Nashville Predators, 2015)
Artyom Zhelezkov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (undrafted)

The Russians are bringing a roster a tad younger than usual, with the presence of many 1997-born players on the roster. That being said, considering that Bragin traditionally prefers older players, some of these younger players could be left home.

A notable absence may be Ivan Nikolishin. He is having a strong year in the WHL, but most likely he failed to impress Bragin during the recent Subway Super Series. The same can be said for Kirill Pilipenko, who recently scored two goals in his first two KHL games. It will be interesting to see how Alexander Georgiev will fare in his first big competition with Team Russia. He and 2015 first round pick Ilya Samsonov will probably battle for the spot of number one goalie. The ’96 year is not the strongest one for the Russians, therefore it will be hard to consider them as a sure-fire contenders for the gold medal, but their experience and Valeri Bragin’s presence could turn them into a very dangerous team.