MAIN INTEREST
Russia. In the last two championships, our teams played in the finals and both times were without options (6: 1 and 5: 0) defeated by Canadians. In 2005, the composition was Ovechkin, in 2006 - Malkin. Did not help. Today there are no stars of this level in the team. Therefore, omitting pre-launch patriotism, we acknowledge that even reaching the semi-final of the 2007 MFM will be a worthy result for the Russians. Regardless of what FHR President Vladislav Tretyak told them in a parting speech. In fact, it wasn’t appropriate for him to set up a team only for the semi-finals.
The strongest quality of the current Russian team of Evgeny Popikhin is seen as an even composition. The absence of a bright star is often good. This helps the team to unite, remember the motto "one for all, and all for one."
However, there are leaders in the most even team. Seeds Varlamova from Lokomotiv is considered a contender for the title of the best goalkeeper of the tournament. In defense, the head coach distinguishes Vyacheslav Buravchikov and Evgeny Ryasensky from Ak Bars. We also mention Yuri Alexandrov from Severstal, the second year playing in the Super League, and Andrei Zubarev, whose accuracy and good throw in Sweden will be useful.
In the attack, the main hopes for the opening of the current season of the 17-year-old Alexei Cherepanov from Vanguard, Igor Makarov and Alexander Bumagin from Lada, playing stably at SKA, are staged. True, with the departure of Peter Vorobyov in the “Chemist”, Bumagin wilted almost nothing this season either. But he is a talented sniper and, hopefully, will prove it at the World Cup.
Who did not take. Ivan Vishnevsky. The defender from Barnaul plays overseas for the second year. Selected in the first round of last year's draft by the Dallas. During the traditional tour of the Russian national team in Canada, Popikhin checked Vishnevsky in only one match. Ivan led him weakly. Although in the junior league of the province of Quebec, Wisniewski last season became the best newcomer definitely not for beautiful eyes. Yes, and in the current plays reliably and effectively.
FAVORITE
Canada. In the share of hockey talent per thousand inhabitants, it is difficult to argue with Canada. Almost every year, Canadians are considered the top contenders for gold medals. At the same time, youth championships, as a rule, are missed by their brightest young talents. So in Sweden we won’t see Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal (both Pittsburgh), Gilbert Brule (Columbus) and Guillaume Latendressa (Montreal), who are already playing in the NHL.
Canadians traditionally have strong goalkeepers: Carey Price and Leland Irving. Any of them can become the main in the team and the best in the championship. Maybe Price has a slightly higher chance of it - he is a year older.
Five of the seven defenders played at the last championship and already then impressed with reliability. Teamwork and experience are on their side. Separately, we note Mark Staal, who was very careful in defense, baby Chris Russell, the best sniper of his junior team this season (17 goals in 34 games), and Luke Bourdon, who was in the symbolic team of the 2006 World Cup.
In the attack, Steve Downey, notable a year earlier (he opened the account in the final with Russia), Andrew Kolyano and Jonathan Taves, are also notable. And the youngest player in the team, Sam Gagnier, is interesting not only because he is good for years. This is the son of Dave Gagnier, famous in the recent past of the Minnesota / Dallas striker.
Oddly enough, the coach looks, oddly enough, the coach. Not because Craig Hartsberg is a bad specialist. He has enough experience: he worked in the NHL, and the youth had to train. But it was not he who assembled this team, but - a year ago - Brent Sutter, under whose leadership Canadians won the last two world championships.
Who did not take. John Tavares. Three months ago, the guy turned 16, but now he is one of the brightest stars in the Ontario Hockey League. New Gretzky, Lemieux and Crosby in one bottle. Forward, to whom today you can give the first issue of the draft 2009. But he did not go to Sweden. Presumably, solely because of infancy - excessive even for the youth world championship. Canada has a huge choice.
Applicants
Sweden. The Swedes themselves consider this team the best for many years. And she plays at home. Therefore, it is impossible not to include the Scandinavians in the number of applicants for gold. As befits a champion candidate, Sweden's goalkeepers are excellent goalkeepers. Yunas Enroth looks gorgeous in the second Swedish division (the percentage of reflected shots is 94.0, 1.55 goals are missed per game). And Joel Gystedt in the "Frelund" plays in line with Tommy Salo himself, and much more reliable veteran.
All defenders are very even, strong and tough.
Nicklas Beckström, who has already become widely known for playing for the first team, stands out for the attack, Niklas Bergfors, who has established himself well in the New Jersey farm club, and Patrick Berglund are one of the top scorers in the second Swedish division.
The press highly appreciates the work of the national team coach Torgni Bendelin. He assembled the team for the World Cup, sacrificing some bright characters for the sake of its coherence.
Who did not take. Oscar Meller. Very young and talented striker. He plays in the Western Hockey League for Chilliwoke Bruins. The best sniper of his team. His time in the youth team should come in a year.
USA. After failures at two previous world championships, the Americans tempered the ardor. However, their school, progressing year after year, did not weaken from this. In addition to the usual strong line-up, where defenders Eric and Jack Johnson, strikers Jack Skille and Peter Mueller stand out, the trump card of the US team can be called her new coach Ron Rolston. It was under his leadership that the Americans won the Junior World Cup in 2005. Ten people will play from that team in Sweden.
Who did not take. Bobby Ryan Second draft number 2005. Rolston did not attract him to the victorious world championship among juniors. Therefore, the conclusion suggests itself that this is a purely coaching decision. Rolston just bets on others.
REST
At the World Youth Championships, many can shoot. The teams of the Czech Republic or Finland are quite capable of surprise. At the Czechs, you can expect exploits from striker Michael Frolik and goalkeeper Ondrzej Pavelets. Finns have the right to count on the best goalkeeper of the last World Cup Tuukku Raska. Slovakia has its stars: the heirs of Zdeno Hara are hefty defenders Vladimir Mikhalik and Juraj Walach, as well as another hero - striker Tomasz Marcinko. It is not necessary to discount the Swiss national team, in which it is interesting to look at Andrei Bykov, the son of the head coach of the Russian national team, and goalkeeper Reto Berra.
REGULATIONS
Group A: Germany, Canada, Slovakia, USA, Sweden.
Group B: Belarus, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland.
The winners of the groups go directly to the semifinals. Teams that took second and third places in groups will determine two other participants in the semifinals in the butt games. The fourth and fifth teams of the groups determine in the butt games two teams that will leave Division I.