If you’re a fan of the greatest game on earth then you probably realized the World Junior Championship wrapped up its medal games on Monday. What you may not have realized was three Bolts prospects that showed enough talent to make the 23-man roster for their home country and skate for glory whilst basking in colors they’ve grown up cheering for.
Defensemen Dominik Masin (Czech Republic) and Anthony DeAngelo (U.S.A.) saw their respective teams take an early exit from competition, but forward Brayden Point (Canada) managed to help his team conquer competition and earn a shiny gold medal as an undefeated squad.
Anthony DeAngelo (U.S.A.): D – 2014 first round, 19th overall
Even though USA fell to the eventual silver medal winner, Russia, in the quarterfinals, the New Jersey native anchored the blue line solidly. He managed to skate away minus-1, but finished the tournament tied for fourth in scoring as he tallied two goals and an assist in five games.
DeAngelo tallied 10 goals and 28 assists in 29 games as an alternate captain for the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League this season, but was traded to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Jan. 7. He will likely have a huge impact on their blue line when he suits up – which could be tonight against Saginaw.
Dominik Masin (Czech Republic): D – 2014 second round 35th overall
Masin suits up for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL in his first year of North American puck. The 18-year-old spent his youth years playing in his native Czech Republic for HC Slavia Praha of the Czech U16, U18 and U20 leagues.
In 28 games, he has tallied five goals and eight assists from the blue line, but has the worst plus-minus rating (minus-21) on the fourth worst team in the OHL (14-19-1-3). He looked quite a bit more comfortable during international play than he has all season with the Petes, but managed only a single assist in the win over Russia and compiled a team-worst minus-4 in four games.
It’s still up for grabs whether he’ll stick around and make a career in North America or head back over the Pacific to join the Kontinental Hockey League.
Brayden Point (Canada): F – 2014 third round, 79th overall
Captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, Point is on point this season. After finishing 13th in the WHL in scoring last season with 36 goals and 55 assists for 91 points in 71 games, he’s on a roll again this year. He sits tied for 15th with 17-28—45 in 30 contests.
His two goals and two assists in seven games as well as his plus-6 rating in his third World Junior Championship appearance helped solidify the gold for his team.
