Islanders Prospects at World Juniors

The World Junior Hockey Championships start on Dec. 26 and the New York Islanders will be well represented at the annual junior showcase, taking place in Toronto and Montreal this year.
Islanders 2015 first-round pick Mathew Barzal is an alternate captain for Canada, 2016 first-round pick Kieffer Bellows will suit up in red, white and blue for Team USA and 2016 4th round pick Otto Koivula is playing for Finland. Canada went 3-0 in the pre-tournament games, while Team USA went 2-0. Barzal had three points (1G, 2A) in three games. Bellows scored against the Czech Republic. Finland went 2-1 in pre-tournament play.
Barzal and Bellows will meet on New Year's Eve, as Canada takes on Team USA at 3:30 p.m in Group B action. Finland is in Group A.

CANADA SCHEDULE - USA SCHEDULE

Barzal, Bellows and Koivula continue the tradition of Islanders prospects playing in the best-on-best, U-20 tournament. Eleven current Islanders have won medals at the World Juniors, while three more have also represented their countries.
The annual tournament brings back fond memories for the Islanders who have played in it.
"It'll be some of the best memories they have," said John Tavares, who won a pair of gold medals with Team Canada. "I still remember it like it was yesterday."
Anthony Beauvillier made Team Canada as an 18-year-old last season, playing alongside Barzal in the tournament. Beauvillier isn't going this season because he's earned a regular spot on the Islanders, but is going to keep close tabs on his buddy Barzal.
"I'm going to watch this year for sure and I'm going to be pumped, especially for Barzy and a couple other friends I have on the team," Beauvillier said. "It's always special watching this tournament on TV, even if it's not Canada that's playing."

Beauvillier didn't medal at the World Juniors, but said it was still an unforgettable experience.
"It's special wearing the Maple Leaf and representing Hockey Canada," Beauvillier said. "It was disappointing last year finishing sixth, but it was a really fun experience. Starting at camp in Toronto, going to Finland, having a couple of exhibition games, hanging out with the guys, having some activities, even getting jet lag together, it was really special."
Tavares called the tournament a great stepping stone for the world's top junior players.
"It's a tremendous stepping stone in a young player's career," Tavares said. "Just the stage you're on, especially playing for Canada in Canada, the type of attention you get and the pressure that comes with it, it's probably too much, but it's a great tournament and a lot of fun. You're playing against the best players in the world for your age group and all of those guys, the next step is to be in the NHL."

ISLANDERS AT THE WORLD JUNIORS

| GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | WORLD JR | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ANDREW LADD 2005 | JASON CHIMERA 1999 | NICK LEDDY 2011 | ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER 2016 | | THOMAS HICKEY 2008, 2009 | CASEY CIZIKAS 2011 | BROCK NELSON 2011 | JAROSLAV HALAK 2004, 2005 | | JOHN TAVARES 2008, 2009 | CALVIN DE HAAN 2010, 2011 | RYAN STROME 2012 | ADAM PELECH 2014 | | | TRAVIS HAMONIC 2010 | | | | | NIKOLAY KULEMIN 2006 | | |