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
2012 WJHC: Previewing Finland/US Game
December 28th, 2011 The first game today takes place in Edmonton between the United States and Finland. Based on their reception against Denmark, it's safe to say that the crowd will be very pro-Finland, who look to rebound after getting thumped 8-1 by Canada on the tournament's opening day. In goal for the Fins is Colorado Avalanche prospect Sami...
2012 WJHC: Denmark Falls to Czech Republic
December 28th, 2011 Tonight's Denmark Czech Republic game started off on an interesting note, with both European teams hovered around their goaltenders before breaking, very similar to an American Football game. After that, the game got underway. Denmark, coming off an 11-3 defeat at the hands of the United States. Once again the crowd was clad in red...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...
2012 WJHC: Canada Finishes off Finland in Opening Game
December 26th, 2011 From the opening faceoff, it was never in the cards for Finland to pull off the upset I predicted and defeat the hosts Team Canada. Even before the opening faceoff things went wrong for Finland. In the midst of the excitement of the opening day of the tournament, Hockey Canada forgot to play their national anthem. That mistake on...
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...
