Games will be played in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta
Washington Capitals - Prospect(s) to Watch
Evgeny Kuznetsov, Caps 2010 1st round draft pick, named Captain for Team Russia, is the only returning member from last year’s gold medal team.
Five Caps prospects played in last year’s tournament with four bringing home medals (Kuznetsov and Orlov, Russia, Gold; Eakin, Canada, Silver; Wey, USA, Bronze; plus Grubauer, Germany). This year Kuznetsov is the lone Washington Capitals’ draft pick playing in the 2012 WJCs.
Stanislav Galiev was the other eligible Caps draft pick with a chance to play in this tournament, but unfortunately, he’s been out with a wrist injury since early October.
In addition to drafted players, there are 2012 and 2013 NHL entry-draft eligible prospects playing in the tournament to keep an eye on. Eligible players for this tournament are born 1992 and later (1991 born are no longer eligible for the U20 WJCs.)
The Tournament Schedule and How to Watch
I recognize not everyone reading this lives in the US (which is great), but if you live in the US and want to watch the tournament games, coverage will be provided on NHL.com and NHL Network. All Team USA games, all medal-round games and five additional preliminary-round match-ups will be shown.
Unfortunately, at this time, no Team Russia preliminary round games are scheduled to be shown on NHL Network in the US, likely because Team Russia is not in Team USA’s group for the preliminary games. It’s possible some could be picked up and shown on the NHL Network via the Canadian broadcast since all 4 Team Russia games are being broadcast on TSN2 and some, if not all, games may be streamed online.
Link to complete US television schedule
Team USA Games (times shown are eastern time)
Preliminary Round
12/26 USA vs Denmark 8pm
12/28 Finland vs USA 3:30pm
12/30 Czech Republic vs USA 3:30pm
12/31 USA vs Canada 8pm
Quarterfinals/Semifinals/Medal Games
Jan 2 Quarterfinals
Jan 3 Semifinals
Jan 5 Medal games
Other Tournament Information and Links
- Link to the IIHF WJC site including schedules, rosters, format, articles. Note, at this time, some of the rosters are still preliminary.
- Hockey Canada website for the tournament.
- USA Hockey tournament site and Team USA Blog
- Article on Team Russia and the Lokomotiv plane crash (RIP) and some pictures from last year's gold medal game and celebration on the ice in Buffalo.
- WJC Story (sounds like more are coming, Svitov perhaps...) from a former Capital, Brian Sutherby
and
- A twitter list I pulled together to follow tournament information.
2011-12 Washington Capitals and the U20 WJCs
Link to U20 WJC Medalists - History
Karl Alzner, Canada, ’07, ’08 (Gold/Gold)
Nicklas Backstrom, Sweden, ’06, ’07
John Carlson, USA, ’10 (Gold)
Jason Chimera, Canada, ’99 (Silver)
Cody Eakin, Canada, '11 (Silver)
Roman Hamrlik, Cz., ’92
Marcus Johansson, Sweden, ’09, ’10 (Silver/Bronze)
Brooks Laich, Canada, ’03 (Silver)
Michal Neuvirth, Czech Rep., ’08
Dmitri Orlov, Russia, ’10, ’11 (/Gold)
Alexander Ovechkin, Russia, ’03, ’04, ’05 (Gold/ /Silver)
Tom Poti, USA, ’96, ’97 (/Silver)
Alexander Semin, Russia, ’04
Tomas Vokoun, Czech Rep., ’96