World Juniors Final Day + Tier III Power Rankings
World Junior Medal Game Previews - Tier III Power Rankings #2 - U18 Weekend Report + More !
2024 World Juniors Medal Game Previews
Gold Medal Matchup
USA vs Sweden
Friday 1:30 PM EST
This should be a real tilt. Axel Sandin Pellikka is fun to watch off the Swedish blue line, creating with his feet and a lethal shot. Along with Jonathan Lekkerimaki and a skilled yet physical cast, Sweden will be a tough match up for the United States. The Swedes defeated Canada in group play 2-0 but fell in a shootout to Finland, also narrowly escaped disaster in the quarterfinals, defeating Switzerland 4-3 in OT.
The United States is clicking entering the gold medal game, coming back in the quarters vs Finland from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game before Cutter Gauthier’s powerplay snipe late in the 3rd gave the Americans the lead. Columbus’ 2023 2nd round pick Gavin Brindley has been a driver, a player to watch in this game. .
Prospect To Watch
Trey Augustine - Goaltender - United States
Trey Augustine settled in after 2 first period goals, making key saves including a right toe save on a rebound late in the Finland game. The Red Wings 2023 2nd round pick and Michigan State goaltender missed 2 games due to the flu, but looked like himself as the game vs Finland went on. The USA will need 2-3 key saves minimum in this game, look for Augustine to be a factor.
Bronze Medal Matchup
Finland vs Czechia
Friday 9:00 AM EST
Finland entered their semifinal matchup on a role, getting better and better since their 4-3 upset loss to Germany. Followed up a big shootout win over rival Sweden on Swedish soil with a thriller in the quarters, beating a strong Slovakia 4-3 in OT on Jere Lassila’s breakaway goal. Despite the 2-0 lead, the United States turned up the pressure from the 2nd period, onward, and (with some questionable penalties) would take the lead on the powerplay late in the 3rd.
Like Finland, Czechia had its highs and lows. Opening the tournament with a 6-2 loss to Slovakia wasn’t ideal but bounced back vs Norway 8-1 before a shootout loss to the United States. After defeating the Swiss 4-2, Czechia stunned the tournament and hockey world, knocking off Canada in the quarterfinals on a deflected Jakub Stancl shot with seconds left in the 3rd to break a 2-2 tie. The semifinal 5-2 loss to Sweden was not their best, look for Czechia to come out hungry to medal.
Prospect To Watch
Jiri Kulich - Forward - Czechia
The Slovakia captain has shown to have a deadly release, putting pucks right by goaltenders from distance multiple times, 4G 4A in 6 games. The Buffalo Sabres 2022 1st rounder has had the goal scoring touch at the pro level as well, 16 goals with Rochester of the AHL.
Impressive Slovakian Prospects
Slovakia opened the tournament with a 6-2 commanding win over Czechia and looked to be a tough out entering the quarterfinals, but fell to Finland in overtime 4-3. Minnesota Wild prospect Servac Petrovsky (5G 4A) and Montreal Canadians prospect Filip Mesar (2G 7A) jumped out offensively, while Chicago Blackhawk’s goaltending prospect Adam Gajan was again impressive between the pipes in his 2nd year at the World Juniors.
Pesky Norway Relegated
Hats off to Norway, despite the losses, they were a fun team to watch, both physical and fast. Goaltender Markus Stensrud was so poised in his starts, especially vs the USA and in Norway’s relegation game loss to Germany, coming back multiple times including 2 late 3rd period goals before falling in OT 5-4.
No Medal for Canada
Czechia’s last minute goal in the quarterfinals was the shocker of the tournament, this will be the first time since 2019 Canada has not finished in the top 3. 2024 Draft Prospect Macklin Celebrini was an impressive constant for Canada, showing NHL scouts in attendance his ability to both create and score, while being reliable defensively.
Tier III Power Rankings #2
Check out which top teams from the EHL, NA3HL, and USPHL Premier are in our top 10 entering 2024.
Tier III Central Scouting #1
Complete scouting notes pdf of the first 3 months of the EHL, NA3HL and USPHL Premier.
Events Covered
NA3HL Blaine Showcase
EHL Newington Showcase
EHL South Division Showcase
USPHL Premier Detroit Showcase
Monthly Updates & other game reports from TSA Scouting Journal
Next Update : February 2024
Weekend Report - Shattuck St Marys vs St Andrew’s College
Top US U18 team Shattuck St Marys takes on St Andrew’s College for 2 Prep Hockey Conference games, featuring top NCAA and NHL prospects.
2024 NHL Draft Watch
USHL - Austin Burnevik (Madison)
The 6’4” wing went off in December, scoring 10 goals, adding 6 assists in 7 games, and looks to keep his goal/ point streak alive entering 2024. A St Cloud State commit, Bernevik has the ability to play the modern power forward game, and has shown his touch around the net this season for Madison. In 27 games, Burnevik has had 2 shots or more in 92.6% of games, 3 shot or more in 81% of games, and had 4+ shots in his current 7 game point streak. Currently leads the USHL in goals (20) and tied for points lead (35).
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