[ad_1]
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Islanders’ annual journey to the Twin Cities got here too late to get an up-close and private have a look at the World Junior Championship that ended right here Monday night time with Sweden’s victory over Czechia.
They have been, nevertheless, paying shut consideration to the event that included 5 of their prospects: Victor Eklund (Sweden), Kashawn Aitcheson (Canada), Cole Eiserman (USA), Kamil Bednarik (USA) and Tomas Poletin (Czechia).
“Our guys performed properly,” common supervisor Mathieu Darche stated Thursday earlier than his group misplaced 2-1 in a shootout to Nashville. “Eklund was the participant of the sport within the gold medal recreation. He’s a water bug that scratches and claws his manner across the zone.
“Tomas Poletin, who broke my coronary heart with the game-winning purpose in opposition to Canada [in the semifinals], he performed rather well, too. Aitcheson, too, on Canada, they dressed seven, eight ‘D,’ so it’s robust on the ice time. However for those who have a look at what he’s doing in Barrie, he’s acquired 19 targets in [27] video games. So he’s been nice.”
Eklund is definitely the Islander prospect popping out of the event trying the most effective after notching a purpose and help within the ultimate whereas enjoying a key position for Sweden all through the event.
Poletin, a fourth-round decide final summer season who’s been averaging a degree per recreation with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, confirmed out as properly with six factors in seven video games for the Czechs.
If anybody had a disappointing event, although, it’s Eiserman, the Isles’ first-round decide in 2024.
After being Workforce USA’s thirteenth ahead throughout a gold-medal run final 12 months, the Boston College sophomore figured to get an elevated position this time round, however it by no means got here to fruition.
Bednarik, his teammate in school, performed a checking position for the Individuals, which is according to what he does at BU and is anticipated to do within the skilled ranks.
“Cole, sadly, had an harm early within the season. And he got here again and we all know what he can do along with his shot, he’s an elite shooter,” Darche stated. “The U.S. had a deep group, so that they moved him up and down the lineup.“… And Bednarik, who has a extra supporting position, I believed he performed properly. He forechecked, he took faceoffs, however we knew they weren’t gonna put him in an offensive scenario. That’s not the kind of participant he’s, however I believed he competed. All 5 of our guys competed exhausting. Three of them had medals, so I assume it’s a very good event.”
The Islanders didn’t maintain apply Friday after touring to Minnesota.
[ad_2]
