Blackhawks Prospects On Display At World Juniors
On Jan. 2, the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Junior Championships begin in Buffalo. All five of the Blackhawks’ prospects (representing four countries) have successfully advanced to the tournament.
On Wednesday, Henri Jokiharju and Finland face Jakub Galvas and the Czech Republic.
Tim Soderlund and Sweden face Slovakia.
Artur Kayumov, Andrei Altybarmakyan and Russia take on the United States.
Here’s how the Hawks’ prospects have performed thus far.
- Henri Jokiharju, D, Finland
Acquired: Round 1 (#29) – 2017 NHL Draft
4 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points
Jokiharju, the Hawks’ most recent first round pick, is playing for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL this season. He has been dominant in the WHL, posting seven goals and 30 assists through 31 games. He has been one of the better defensemen at the World Junior Tournament and could sign a pro contract with the Blackhawks after his WHL season ends this year. He was named player of the game in Finland’s 4-1 win over Denmark. He became the first defenseman selected by the Blackhawks in the first round since Dylan Olsen in 2009.
- Artur Kayumov, F, Russia
Acquired: Round 2 (#50) – 2016 NHL Draft
4 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points
Kayumov, 19, is playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the KHL this season. He suffered a broken collarbone Oct. 9 against CSKA but has returned to the lineup and has had a fine tournament for Russia. He is second on his team in points and goals entering the playoffs.
- Andrei Altybarmakyan, F, Russia
Acquired: Round 3 (#70) – 2017 NHL Draft
4 games, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points
Altybarmakyan hasn’t produced a point yet in 13 games for St. Petersburg SKA in the KHL this season. He has put five shots on net and is minus-two for Russia at the World Juniors thus far.
- Tim Soderlund, F, Sweden
Acquired: Round 4 (#112) – 2017 NHL Draft
4 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points
Soderlund, who turns 20 on Jan. 23, is playing for Skelleftea AIK in the SHL this season; he has six goals and two assists in 26 games in Sweden. He has put nine shots on net through four games.
- Jakub Galvas, D, Czech Republic
Acquired: Round 5 (#150) – 2017 NHL Draft
4 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 point
Galvas has appeared in 30 games for Olomouc HC in the Czech league this year, posting eight points. He has five shots on net in the tournament.
Soderlund is superfast skater but another smaller sized forward, but looks to have potential.
Agree Ian. Last night in overtime against Russia, he was all over the ice on one particular shift and I believe it was commentator Ray Ferraro who noted, ” this Soderlund” is a beast.
Kayumov has had a nice tournament. Really plays off his teammates beautifully inside the offensive zone. Excellent passer and when he does not have the puck he goes to the net and gets himself in scoring position.
Jokiharju moves the puck well and is very good at skating it out of trouble and into the attacking zone. He can get the puck to the net too. He’s not exactly a force as a defender but he’s not a liability either.
Jordyhawk i agree Jokiharju not a big physical shutdown guy but has good instincts and uses good hockey sense to make up for it and be seemingly decent defensively, only hope he can take his package to the next level.
Jokiharju by all accounts seems to be a real good prospect lets hope his growth continues!
Soderlund with a terrific performance for the Swedes in the quarterfinal.
Galvas stepping up for Czechs, playing important minutes.
Kayumov with a pretty good tourney for the Russians, same with Jokiharhu for the Finns but they are done.