Salim Valji
Salim Valji is based in Edmonton AB, writing about all topics hockey for THW. His work has appeared in the Edmonton Journal, Fox Sports and NHL.com. He is credentialled by the WHL and Hockey Canada and attended the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He will be covering the 2012 IHHF World Junior Hockey Championship for THW.
Author's Posts
Stories from the 2012 IIHF WJHC: Thoughts from Day 1
The first day of the tournament is in the books, with four games being played on opening day. Team Canada easily extinguished Finland with a touchdown 8-1 victory, Sweden nearly hit double digits with a 9-4 win over Latvia, the United States did hit double digits winning 11-3 against Denmark and Russia handled Switzerland 3-0....
Stories from 2012 WJHC: Replacing Smith-Pelly No Easy Task for Team Canada
December 27th, 2011 With every victory comes sacrifice. That sentiment rung loud and clear to Team Canada after last night's impressive 8-1 victory over Team Finland. Devante Smith-Pelly, a wrecking ball of sorts with his rambunctious style of play and a fan favourite, blocked a shot and left the game midway through the 2nd period. After the game it...
Stories from 2012 WJC: Scrutiny Surrounds US Defenceman Jon Merrill
December 26th, 2011 Few players enter this year's WJC with as much scrutiny as American defenceman Jon Merrill. Seldom do we hear of a player making the WJC without having played a competitive hockey game in the past six months; and yet Merrill accomplished that feat. He tallied 25 points in 42 games as a freshman at Michigan University, the fourth...
2012 WJHC: Can Denmark Avoid Relegation?
December 22nd, 2011 Denmark enters the 2012 IIHF WJHC having earned a spot in the main tournament after winning the Division 1 Tournament last year in Slovenia, going 4-0-0-1. Denmark's Nicolai Meyer, the top scorer at the tournament with 12 points in 5 games, is expected to play in Edmonton. Currently Denmark sits 13th in the world in mens ice hockey....
2012 WJC: Is Team Finland the Tournament Darkhorse?
December 21st, 2011 Overall this Finnish team is the most talented a team they've had in years.
WJC Memories: 2009 Canada Gold Medal Team.
December 19th, 2011 The 2009 World Junior Hockey Hockey Championships were held in Ottawa Ontario and featured a Canadian team looking to go for an impressive 5th consecutive gold medal. Coached by Pat Quinn, the Team Canada roster was filled with future NHL stars, including John Tavares, Jordan Eberle, Alex Pietrangelo and PK Subban. The roster also...
