THN.com/podcast. From THN American Pipeline: USA's U-18 Stars, USHL News and Leafs Prospects Otto Stenberg [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk3NTQ3NDQzMDI4NTAyNDI3/berlin-infor_220908-2-large.jpg] Otto Stenberg The World Men’s Under-18 Championship is often the final big stage for prospects to make their mark on talent evaluators and scouts before the NHL draft in June. While we could see a few players compete in the men’s World Championship, this is the premier scouting event for the draft season. With that said, the stock of a player is often affected by their play in the two-week event – rightfully or wrongfully. It’s just seven games at most, but it’s against the best of the best in their age group. It’s a lasting impression on those who watched. So who made their mark? Which players have shone under the bright lights, and who wilted under the pressure? Let’s dig into the U-18s and check in on the draft stock of some of its participants. STOCK UP: OTTO STENBERG, F, SWEDEN If the Americans didn’t mount a comeback and Will Smith didn’t tie the American scoring record at the U-18s, there is a chance that Otto Stenberg would have been named MVP. He was the top-scoring non-American at the tournament, tying his own national record in the process. Otto Stenberg was the catalyst of offense in every game for the Swedes, showcasing all of the skill, intellect and speed he boasts. His season has been up and down, but he’s had an excellent second half of the year, looking especially good playing a depth role in the SHL despite his point totals suggesting differently. Capping his draft-eligible season off with a near MVP performance and showing his maturity and skillful offensive game will convince more teams that Stenberg should be a first-round pick – possibly even a top-20 pick. STOCK DOWN: ALL OF THE CANADIAN DEFENDERS The Canadians came into this tournament without a number of their top players who were still competing in the CHL playoffs, but they had a fairly strong group. Many expected the blueline, in particular, to have a good balance of talent offensively and defensively. The problem was that the group never meshed. They couldn’t find any balance, and just about every defender looked to be reacting and playing slower than the play was developing. Cam Allen was mismanaging the puck, giving it away in the defensive zone in prime spots for the opposing team to get a free high-danger chance. Allen wasn’t alone, though. Caden Price was widely inconsistent. Lukas Dragicevic was great in transition, but his defensive game was less than lacking. Tristan Bertucci and Andrew Gibson struggled to mesh with their teammates, and despite their stable defensive moments, they would get hemmed in their zone at times without the ability to get out. The inability to manage the opposing forecheck, freezing with the puck on the end boards or just giving the puck away were all areas of the game that the Canadian defensive group struggled against the higher quality teams. STOCK UP: USA’S TOP LINE Not that the American top line needed to boost their stock, particularly with all three of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault viewed as first-round prospects by many in the scouting and draft analysis world. But the performance they put together could reasonably make them all top-15 picks. Gabe Perreault and Will Smith passed Auston Matthews’ scoring record for the U-18 NTDP team, while Ryan Leonard moved into 10th all-time for players in their U-18 year, passing the likes of Jack Eichel and Trevor Zegras. With all three heading to Boston College next season together, we should get at least a couple more years of the beautiful magic that these three create on ice. STOCK DOWN: ANDREW CRISTALL, F, CANADA The extremely skilled and cerebral forward has the offensive zone ability to be an impact player at a moment’s notice. But the skating limitations that have been a concern all season came to the forefront at the U-18s. His separation speed became an issue, and his game lacked pop through the neutral zone. Cristall’s game relies on using his teammates to funnel pucks to the neutral zone and manipulating defenders with his puck skill and edges. When the opposing talent level was raised in a best-on-best tournament and he wasn’t playing with his team’s top players, he became far less effective. STOCK UP: JURAJ PEKARCIK, F, SLOVAKIA With Dalibor Dvorsky leading the charge offensively for the Slovak squad, they were going to need someone to lead the secondary scoring. Juraj Pekarcik was more than up for the task. Finishing with 10 points in seven games, Pekarcik looked excellent. He showcased his distribution skills, setting up plays with cheeky little passing plays. His focus on getting the puck to the middle was imperative for the Slovaks, especially on the power play. Pekarcik’s draft stock may have gone from relative unknown to a possible mid-round selection. STOCK UP: TOM WILLANDER, D, SWEDEN The discussion about the Swedish blueline has largely and deservedly consisted of talk about Axel Sandin Pellikka, but Tom Willander may have been as good or better. Willander has a very well-rounded game defensively and the raw tools to be an active contributor offensively. While he was somewhat reserved and calculated in league play this year, when playing against his age group, Willander stepped up and was an active creator offensively. His skating is smooth and crisp, he boasts solid size, and his awareness in all three zones is notable. Stock Up Honorable Mentions: G Samuel Urban (SVK), G Noah Erliden (SWE), F Adam Cedzo (SVK), F Matthew Wood (CAN), C David Edstrom (SWE), D Jakub Dvorak (CZE)
