Great moments are born from great opportunity.
If you didn’t read yesterday’s blog, here you go.
They are as good as anybody in this tournament, and better than most.
The Czech ’04s are solid, the Slovakian ’05s are solid.
Those are going to be tight games in the group stage.
So without further adieu, let’s get to the Group B Preview.
Maybe they lack a consistent goaltender they know they can rely on all tournament long.
Maybe they don’t have firepower up front to score at will like some other teams.
It all starts between the pipes withTrey Augustine (DET ‘23, 2nd rd).
He was the guy last year for USA at this tournament when they won bronze.
He also won a silver medal in the 2022 U18’s.
So you know those pads are coming back from Sweden with plenty of puck scuffs on them.
But the other guy Team USA can throw between the pipes?
He has a .925 sv% and only giving up 2.16 goals per game.
Speaking of defensemen who can fill up the scoresheet, let’s talk aboutZeev Buium (‘24 Draft).
He’s the only draft eligible player on this year’s team.
Buium, on the other hand, should get plenty of chances out there on the blue line.
This defense has decent size, and a ton of skill and speed.
Offensively, this is going to beCutter Gauthier’s (PHI ‘22, 1st rd)team.
He has an insane shot, and can play 200 feet.
McGroarty is going to be wearing the ‘C’ for this year’s team.
Snuggerud also had a dominant tournament last year when Team USA won bronze with 13 points in 7 games.
That top line is going to be the most experienced and dominant line in the tournament.
But if you want to talk about the most dangerous line… That will absolutely do.
This team is going to rule so hard.
Team Czechia
The Czechs were just one goal away from winning gold at last year’s tournament.
Now a lot of that was thanks to how loaded their ‘03 birth years were, especially on defense.
You had guys like David Jiricek and Stanislav Svozil being absolute demons to play against.
Tomas Suchanek was one of the best goalies in the tournament.
None of those guys are playing in this year’s tournament.
He played 62 games in the AHL last year.
He currently has 22 points in 22 games playing with the Rochester Americans this year in the AHL.
He’s a weapon.
He’s currently top 25 in the OHL in points with 36 points in 27 games for Saginaw.
So shoutout to Kladno.
He’s having a really solid season so far for Val-d’Or in the QMJHL.
Maybe he’s a potential free agency signing for someone after this tournament.
Team Slovakia
Slovakia may have finished 6th last year, but they had one of the better tournaments.
Again, they lost to Canada in overtime in the bronze medal game.
But this group of ‘05 birth years from Slovakia are really good.
In just 20 game with Sudbury, he has 18 goals and 16 assists.
He’s probably not too far away from getting a few games in the NHL.
They have a ton of NHL-caliber talent.
As far as Slovakia’s downfall in this tournament, it’ll most likely be on defense.
But who I’m most excited to watch out of this group of Luka Radivojevic (‘25 Draft).
Mainly because his old man, Branko Radivojevic, played for the Flyers.
Granted, he’ll turn 17 just 3 days into the new year.
He has the most saves in the league, and the 2nd highest Sv%.
As for Norway, they are back up to the top division for the first time since 2014.
But the one player everyone should keep an eye on will beMichael Brandsegg-Nygard (‘24 Draft).
It all gets going next Tuesday morning bright and early.
And just remember, USA Hockey is Do or Die.
