As you may know, the annual IIHF World Juniors tournament is being held over the next couple of weeks up in Saskatoon, Canada. The tournament consists of prospects from all over the globe, and on team USA there are three future Rangers wearing the red, white and blue and playing in the tournament. Those three are forwards Ryan Bourque, Captain Derek Stepan, and 2009 first round draft pick Chris Kreider.
Team USA kicked off the tourney yesterday with a dominating 7-3 victory over Slovakia, in which Stepan recorded a goal and two assists and Kredier an assist. Today, all three prospects were involved in the scoring with Kreider deflecting a Cam Fowler shot for the first goal. Stepan assisted on that one for his fourth point in two games, leading team USA in scoring. Third round pick Ryan Bourque's hustle led to the third US goal, picking up his first point of the tournament.
I must say, I have not seen much of Kredier at all since drafting him in June, but this kid can sure skate. Many questioned the picking of Kredier when it first occurred, but I do not think there are any doubts of the decision after seeing what he is accomplishing. He is great in front of the net and around the crease, and also managed to draw a penalty while being tripped due to his lightning speed. Chris' Boston College coach went as far as to say the youngster is the fastest skater he has ever coached, which is sky high accolades considering the different players that have been brought up through their system over the years.
It is great to be able to see these kids playing for once, let alone seeing them succeed like they are. Hockey's Future rated the Rangers farm system as one of the top five in the National Hockey League, and we are now seeing why. You can thank Gordie Clark, head scout for the Blueshirts, as he is responsible for Kreider, Bourque, Del Zotto, and probably Gilroy as well.
You can read more about the tournament over at Jess Rubenstein's blog, The Prospect Park.
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
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