5 breakout players at 2019 World Junior Championship
Kakko, Brannstrom join Hughes as prospects who made big impression in under-20 tournament
The IIHF World Junior Championship might be the one exception to the rule.
"It's an evaluation of the best players in that age group, so as you go up the ladder of evaluation, these opportunities serve as a really good assessment for evaluation," said Craig Button, TSN resident director of scouting and former NHL general manager. "Is it the end-all, be-all, no. But if you can show and acquit yourself well in a tournament such as the world juniors, it absolutely helps you."
United States center Jack Hughes, an A-rated skater in NHL Central Scouting's Players to Watch list, missed three games with an undisclosed injury at the 2019 World Junior Championship, but finished with four assists and 16 shots on goal averaging 14:29 of ice time in four games. He was an impact player each game he played and at this time remains the projected No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Here are five other players who raised their stock either within an organization or for the 2019 NHL Draft:
Erik Brannstrom, D, Sweden: The 5-foot-10, 179-pound left-shot defenseman was a dynamic puck-mover with offensive flair. He scored four goals, including three on the power play, and led Sweden in average ice time (22:57). Selected No. 15 in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights, Brannstrom has 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 24 games for Chicago of the American Hockey League, his first season in North America.
Kaapo Kakko, RW, Finland: Kakko (6-2, 194) entered the 2019 WJC as a projected top five pick in the 2019 draft and didn't disappoint. The left-hand shot scored with 1:26 left in the third period to give Finland a 3-2 win against the United States in the championship game. He can play wing or center, and in all situations. He had five points (two goals, three assists) and 23 shots on goal averaging 15:10 of ice time in seven games. Kakko will now return to TPS in Liiga, Finland's top league, where he has 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 27 games.
"He had the confidence and we gave him the role and I think that's the biggest thing," Finland coach Jussi Ahokas said. "He's a future superstar."
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Russia: Kochetkov (6-1, 205) was a relative unknown before the start of the tournament but not anymore. There's even a good chance he gets selected in the later rounds of the 2019 NHL Draft after winning four of his five games with a 1.45 goals-against average and .935 save percentage for bronze medal-winning Russia.
Kochetkov impressed with a 0.67 GAA, .978 save percentage and one shutout in three games (3-0-0) for Russia at the 2018 Canada Russia Series in November, a performance that basically helped secure his role with the junior team.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Finland: He was determined to make amends for what happened at the 2018 WJC when he won two of five games with a 3.13 goals-against average and .878 save percentage for sixth-place Finland. He did just that as the defensive catalyst in a gold medal-winning performance, winning three of five games with a 1.80 GAA and .932 save percentage in six games.
Luukkonen (6-4, 198), selected in the second round (No. 54) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, shook off a 4-1 loss against the United States in the final preliminary-round game on Dec. 31 to win three straight with a 1.00 GAA and .956 save percentage against Canada, Switzerland and the U.S. Among his many memorable moments, saves against Canada captain Maxime Comtois (Anaheim Ducks) on a penalty shot in overtime, and Hughes (2019 NHL Draft eligible) on a breakaway in the third period of a 2-2 game, were most impressive.
He'll now return to Sudbury of the Ontario Hockey League where he is 16-3-2 (2.49 GAA, .923 save percentage) in 26 games this season.
Ryan Poehling, C, United States: The St. Cloud State University sophomore had eight points (five goals, three assists) and was named WJC most valuable player. He scored a natural hat trick in the third period, including two in the final 37 seconds of regulation, to give the U.S. a 4-4 tie with Sweden in the preliminary round (a 5-4 overtime loss). Poehling (6-2, 185), chosen No. 25 in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, averaged 17:12 in ice time, had a plus-5 rating and 19 shots on goal in a silver medal-winning effort.
