Blackhawks Prospects Shining At US WJC Camp
The four Blackhawks prospects competing for the United States at Lake Placid have had a great couple days since the US consolidated its roster at the World Junior Championships Evaluation Camp.
On Wednesday, the US team beat Sweden 7-1. John Hayden scored a power play goal in the second period with the primary assist going to Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz had two assists in the second period as the US team blew the game open.
For Sweden, Hawks blue line prospects Robin Norell and Carl Dahlstrom were held without a point in the defeat.
Thursday, the US took on Finland and posted a better result than the blowout of Sweden. In the 9-1 victory, Tyler Motte scored three goals (all even strength) and added an assist for a four-point afternoon. Hayden scored another power play goal for the winners. Anthony Louis was held without a point; Schmaltz was a scratch.
Eichel is a BEAST!!!!
Motte!!!
Wow…what a group we have…way to go boys!!!
It sure is nice to talk about on-ice exploits rather than same-ole same-ole we’ve been cycling the last few weeks.
Seems like Motte and Hayden have a pretty good shot to make the team – not sure about Schmaltz and Louis.
Eichel who is sure to be the #1 pick in this years draft (sorry Connor McDavid), and who fed Tyler Motte for all 3 of his hat trick goals (a day after supplying a hat trick to his other linemate Tuch) said this about Motte following the game against Finland…
“He’s obviously a great player,” Eichel said of Motte. “He works so hard. He’s great at hunting pucks. He’s got a great release and a great shot. You try to get him the puck in areas he can find the back of the net and he did that three times.”
Wow, it’s almost like the hawks have an embarrassment of riches. This Hayden kid sure seems like a beast. He has been really really good all summer. I realize these are just camps but he really seems to be bringing it. I am eager to watch college hockey this fall. There are seemingly hawk prospects everywhere.
HM4A, don’t sell McDavid short. A lot of people thought Drouin was better than MacKinnon too and we see how that worked out so far. The kid is a phenom, let’s just see where it all plays out, either way they will probably go 1-2
US/Sweden
I do not understand why but the Sweden coach only played Norell and Dahlstrom like 4th par min. When they were on the ice together it was like one of the few times the Sweden team had any rushes (granted it was the last 5min of 3rd). Even Mark Kelly asked their coach to talk in the hallway after the game.
Schmaltz had a couple good tight passes in close in front if the net. Hayden put it in on the PP on a very fast (in-close) one-timer from him. Hayden wasn’t the fasted guy out there but he was covering the whole ice well an threw some decent hits. He used his size in front of net and wherever he was standing he stayed there…
1or2 times Schmaltz made a move where he blew by the D (the pass was missed, otherwise that guy was in all alone). He was one of few who made moves like that. Being in the small side/rink that move by Schmaltz was the biggest wow/oooh from the spectators. When he had any open ice up the right side he juked the D man one on one.
The US forwards were so much faster, it seemed like Sweden was playing backtoback/split squad. Which made it hard to tell who was doing what/took the tight game/stuff out of the scrimmage completely. Half of US goals were PP & it seemed like Sweden couldn’t move much throughout the entire game (US fws). For whatever reason Sweden just seemed slow.
Louis was feisty, played hard. He deserves to be 180. Almost went through 3 guys to get a shot.
Motte took a spill going to the net for a possible rebound on a weak goal (by the goalie) from far out. Couldn’t tell if the players just got locked up, etc. He hit the end boards and was down for a 5 sec., got up and shook it off. Goal never should have happened/that wouldn’t have too… All goals in 3rd were meaningless/or weak. Scrimmage was decided in 2nd. Where Hayden drew the first penalty which broke open a 1-0 game.
Overall, the US forwards were way faster and our guys were noticeable regularly.
Would have liked to see the Thursday game, a Motte hatrick.
Eichel- is better than McDavid. Eichel will be a great “piece” for whoever lands him!!!
Kid has some serious vision, IQ, and great motor!!! Reminds me of Toews… But honestly haven’t seen enough of him on the D-side… (cuz -he is always making plays on O side!)
Hayden & Motte had a good week in Lake Placid.
I think Hayden will be a top 6 NHL forward. He’s got all the skill to be a productive NHL player. Really looking for to seeing him play.