International Hockey

World Juniors Hockey Championships 2011: Aftermath

Team Canada played a near perfect game against a strong USA team in the semi-finals. Two periods into the contest with a 3-nil lead, it looked promising for a return to the top for the first nation of hockey. It was not to be, however, and although the players were beyond disappointed, when the dust settles and the zamboni makes its rounds – the boys should be very proud of their performance.

World Junior Hockey Championships 2011: Canada-USA Semifinal Breakdown

Christopher Ralph is THW’s prospect and draft analyst. Hockey fans look forward to Christmas; Die hard hockey fans look more forward to Boxing Day and the start of the World…

World Junior Championships 2011 Players To Watch – Part 3: Best of the Rest – Is Sven Bartchi the Next El Nino?

Christopher Ralph is THW’s prospect and draft analyst Hockey fans look forward to Christmas; Die hard hockey fans look more forward to Boxing Day and the start of the World…

World Junior Championships 2011 Players To Watch – Part 1: Jaden Schwartz, Sean Couturier, Brett Connolly & Ryan Ellis to lead the way for Team Canada

Christopher Ralph is THW’s prospect and draft analyst   Hockey fans look forward to Christmas; Die hard hockey fans look more forward to Boxing Day and the start of the…

Grand Larsson-y: NHL 2011 Mock Draft – Holiday Edition

Today’s article embarks on my first mock draft of the season – Holiday Edition. The first round results are revealed in this article, with the second round to follow.

Notes:

* At this point in the season, the mock is, for the most part, based upon teams taking best player available (BPA).
* Draft order is based on the NHL standings as of the morning of December 17th. Standings and thus team drafting positions will obviously fluctuate on a day-to-day basis from here on end.
* Shots From The Slot is a brief rationale for each selection.

NHL Top 100 Prospect Rankings (Part 4: 1 to 25)

#4 Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson EDM F 2009-10th

One-Timer: MPS. MSP. MP. Now known as simply Magnus Paajarvi. Call him anything, but call him one of the most talented young players in the game. Even at 10th, the Oilers got a gift. I had him ranked 7th in my my 2009 Draft Preview and here’s an excerpt:

MSP is a super creative winger with speed to burn. Known more of a playmaker, the talented Swede still knows how to finish. The powerful and smooth skating MSP is also very tough to knock off the puck. At 7th overall, he could prove to be a steal even at this rank.

NHL Top 100 Prospect Rankings (Part 3: 26 to 50)

Christopher Ralph is THW’s prospect and draft analyst. To qualify for this list, a prospect has to be drafted or signed as a free agent and is eligible for the…

NHL 2010-11 Top 100 Prospect Rankings (Part 2: 51 to 75)

#61 Zack Kassian BUF F Drafted: 2009-13th

One-Timer: Kassian is one of the OHL’s toughest players and doesn’t shy away from donnybrooks, but needs to show more discipline after sometimes taking needless penalties. (Since I wrote that portion for my 2009 draft profile, he unfortunately took it to a new level last season.)There is no doubting the size, skill and energy he brings to the table, but he does need to continue to work on his skating and likewise getting quicker.