((IIHF!!Live))**USA vs Finland Live -[SEMIFINAL]- Finland vs USA Live 2021 Junior Hockey Free>>
((IIHF!!Live))**USA vs Finland Live -[SEMIFINAL]- Finland vs USA Live 2021 Junior Hockey Free>>
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Visit Live Direct: [[ https://tinyurl.com/iihf-world-championships-live ]]
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Being right-handed has become increasingly valuable among defensemen and the Americans may also want to capitalize on the trend, which would create a spot for either Case McCarthy or Hunter Skinner, two of just five right-handed shots invited to the October evaluation camp. Neither project to be impact defensemen at the NHL level and are still fairly raw. However, McCarthy was one of the best defensemen at the U18 in 2019, and Skinner had 32 points in 62 games with the OHL’s London Knights last season, so don’t count them out completely.
If the Americans choose a more solid, defensive focus, then Jake Sanderson would be their best choice. The fifth-overall selection by the Ottawa Senators in 2020, Sanderson established himself as one of the best skaters entering the draft and shot up the rankings thanks to a huge second half in 2019–20. He’s excellent at putting the right pressure on his opponents and is able to transition seamlessly from defense to offense.
Outside of those four, rounding out the defense will depend on what the Americans want to get out of their defenders. For a more dynamic offense, 19-year-olds Jackson LaCombe and Jayden Struble would be two of the better choices. LaCombe played the 2019–20 season and scored 13 points with the Golden Gophers, while Struble played just 21 games, but registered three goals and 10 points at Northeastern University. Domenick Fensore, a 2019 third-round pick, has excelled at every level he’s played at, but at 5-foot-7, he may have a tough time jumping over some bigger, similarly-skilled players.
Fourteen other defensemen were invited to the Evaluation Camp, but with up to eight spots to fill, the competition will be high. Buffalo Sabres’ 2019 first-round pick Ryan Johnson is a safe bet to make the team. He was a late cut in the 2020 tournament, but has since shared the Golden Gophers’ Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award and is looking more and more like a future top-four defenseman. Like York, he can excel in all situations and will be relied upon to lead the American defense.
Drew Helleson and Alex Vlasic, both 19, also have good a good chance to make the team. They have similar resumes: they are products of the USNDP, have played for the Americans internationally at the U18 level, were second-round selections in 2019, and are stay-at-home defensemen. Vlasic’s 6-foot-6 frame will be hard to cut, especially on a team that’s shaping up to be on the smaller side. With Helleson, the duo could form a deadly shut-down pairing.
As opposed to their goaltenders, the Americans won’t have a wealth of experience on the blue line. Top defensemen Mattias Samuelsson, Zach Jones, and K’Andre Miller have all aged out, leaving Cam York as the only eligible returnee. However, the team won’t be without skill, as there are several players who just missed the cut last year and are eager for 2021.
Starting with York, Team USA will likely look to him to lead their defense thanks to his experience at last year’s tournament. Although he was a depth defender in 2020, he’s made some big improvements to his game and will be a key member of the team in 2021. Last season at the University of Michigan, he had five goals and 16 points in 30 games but has really stepped up this season, scoring four points in as many appearances. There’s a chance he could earn a letter on his jersey, too.
It’s unlikely either will get in any games at the tournament, however. Behind the duo of Knight and Wolf, who could be one of the strongest pairs at the WJC this year, the Americans’ third-string option will be no more than an insurance policy.
Two more goalies were invited to the National Junior Development Camp in October and will be competing for the final spot on Team USA. Drew Commesso is the likely favorite. A product of the National Team Junior Development Program, he was the team’s best goalie last season and became the second goalie selected at the 2020 NHL Draft, taken in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The other goaltender is Logan Stein, who has an age advantage over Commesso but is still a dark horse to make the team. He’s put up good numbers as the backup for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks but hasn’t been drafted despite being eligible in both 2019 and 2020. Still, he has good size and has done well in a role with limited exposure, so the Americans could go with him as their third option to draw on his extra experience, which they have a habit of doing.
In 2020, Knight was one of the best goalies of WJC, recording a SV% of 0.913 and a GAA of 2.49. If it weren’t for the upset by Finland in the quarterfinal, he might have been named the best goaltender of the tournament. Instead, he’ll return for his third shot at a gold medal with a chip on his shoulder. He’ll be one to watch for the Americans, and he could steal a few games.
Knight will be backed up by Everett Silvertips phenom Dustin Wolf, who also was at the 2020 WJC. He’s been one of the best goalies in the WHL for the past two seasons, posting the lowest GAA in the league with a 1.69 in 2018–19, and a 1.88 in 2019–20. His one game at last year’s tournament was a rough showing — the upstart Germans bombarded him, slipping three goals by on just 20 shots. But, like Knight, Wolf will be eager to help the Americans advance and his experience makes him a very solid second option.
The one position that Vanbiesbrouck won’t have trouble selecting is goaltending. Spencer Knight is a lock to return as USA’s starter for the 2021 tournament. A first-round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2019, Knight was a brick wall for Boston College last season, posting a 1.97 goals-against-average (GAA) and a 0.931 save percentage (SV%), and helped propel the Eagles to first in the Hockey East division before the postseason was cancelled.
