U-18 World Championship Scouting Notebook: The top standouts from Day 4

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
Will Smith (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

BASEL, Switzerland – We finally got a good game in Basel.

After lopsided affairs dominated the action in Group B, Finland and USA had a spirited affair to close out the evening. USA ended up winning 8-4, with the two teams playing chippier than we’ve seen at any point in the tournament. It was a big change from earlier in the day when Switzerland thumped Latvia 5-1 to take second spot in Group B, a huge confidence booster heading into the team’s final game against the Americans.

In Ajoie, where the action has been excellent all week, the games once again remained intense. Sweden scored twice late in the third to win 2-0 in one of the tightest games of the tournament. Canada also improved to 2-1, but Slovakia erased a 3-0 deficit to make it 4-3. They’ll be a pain for whoever lines up against them in the quarterfinals.

USA beats Finland in Group B thriller

  • Will Smith, man. That fifth American goal was as Connor McDavid-like as we’ve seen. And then he pulled off another spectacular play to set up the sixth goal. From a pure taking-over standpoint, this was the best game I’ve seen Smith play this season. I’d be shocked if he’s not picked in the top six this year, and this tournament is helping him.
  • Aram Minnetian was a human wrecking ball out there. He blocked shots, landed some big crushers and helped pinch in on the offense too. There aren’t many American blueliners I like in this tournament, but Minnetian has stood out to be for nearly the entire season. It’s been a treat to zero on him more closely this week.
  • Kasper Halttunen was in USA’s head today. He scored a nice goal and immediately shouted something at Trey Augustine. The mix of skill and size was on full display, and this was his best game of the tournament. The season has been up and down for him, but he was enjoyable tonight.
  • After a pair of great games, it was nice to see Konsta Helenius promoted to Finland’s second line. They could hang with whoever the Americans sent out there. For a 2024 draft prospect, there’s so much to love there.
  • With a goal and an assist, James Hagens‘ strong play continues. The 2025 NHL Draft prospect showed his skill by dangling a defenseman to create the fourth goal, just five minutes after helping to set up Cole Eiserman on the power play. Their incredible chemistry continues.
  • Gabriel Perreault slowed down from his five-point game against Norway, putting up just four tonight. Shame on him. Kidding aside, he’s in heavy contention for the tournament MVP early on.

Canada narrowly shuts down Slovakia 4-3

  • The Porter Martone show continues. Not eligible until 2025, Martone hasn’t let being the youngest skater on Canada slow him down. He had a three-point effort against Germany and then scored a beautiful between-the-legs goal on a breakaway to make it 3-0. That’s the type of creativity we’re used to watching out of him with Mississauga, and he’s making a case to go early in 25.
  • Given Slovakia’s play in the first two games, it’s surprising it took this long for Dalibor Dvorsky to score his first. It’s especially surprising because he has looked good, too. A projected top-15 pick for 2023, Dvorsky looked strong defensively, but it was his second-period goal when he escaped from trouble and used his patience to make it 3-1 that really stood out. Nobody has questioned Dvorsky’s skill – it’s showing it every night that’s the challenge. So far, so good.
  • Another multi-point effort for Matthew Wood, the lone NCAAer in the tournament. He has shown this year he’s more than just a big body – he’s a tremendous setup guy.
  • Lukas Fürsten made his tournament debut and was outstanding for the Slovaks, keeping them in a game that probably should have been much more lopsided. The 5-foot-10 keeper made 38 saves against arguably the toughest opponent he has ever faced. Scouts noticed.
  • Another good outing for Macklin Celebrini, the projected top prospect for 2024. He scored and added an assist while finishing at a 61.11 faceoff percentage on a second Canadian line that looked hungry out there.
  • Here’s an opposite of a standout: Andrew Cristall. After starting the tournament on Canada’s top line, he was the 13th forward after Riley Heidt‘s arrival and played just over seven minutes. He wasn’t very effective in his ice time, either. I’m a big believer in the high-end scoring threat, but with just one assist, there hasn’t been much to see out of him this week.

Switzerland slams Latvia 5-1

  • Jamiro Reber, a top Swiss prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft scored one of the best goals of the tournament when he deked past a defender before outlasting Latvian keeper Aksels Ozols for the 1-0 goal at 2:06. He’s shown glimpses of talent like that this week, but that helped spark a Swiss team that has shown some good promise in this tournament. He also set up the fourth Swiss goal on the power play.
  • Leo Braillard continues to succeed. The speedy, aggressive forward was flying all over the ice and scored the 2-1 goal shorthanded late in the first and he added another one near the end. He has his flaws, and if he’s drafted, it won’t be in the first half. But he’s been Switzerland’s best forward so far.
  • Daniil Ustinkov has been Switzerland’s best player, playing over 20 minutes a night so far. The 16-year-old is already looking like one of the best European defenders for the 2024 draft thanks to his high hockey IQ and, as he showed today, his quick, accurate release. Get ready to hear his name a lot over the next few years.

Sweden edges Czechia 2-0

  • Ok, this is going to sound like a broken record: Michael Hrabal is EXCELLENT. Yet again, another great showing in the Czech net. It resulted in a loss, but the 6-foot-6 keeper was the main reason why the Czechs remained relevant today. He’s one of the top goaltenders in the NHL Draft for a reason.
  • At the other end, Noah Erliden racked up his second shutout of the tournament to help the Swedes clinch first in the group.
  • His goal came on a 5-on-3, but Tom Willander‘s patience will take him far in the NHL. He never seems bothered with the puck, and his patience allowed him to evade a block and score the game-winner. He has had a good showing in Ajoie.
  • David Jiricek of the Columbus Blue Jackets is quite the crafty blueliner. His younger brother, Adam Jiricek, has some of the same qualities. He made a tremendous pass late in the game that nearly resulted in the tying goal but it didn’t result in anything. The more I watch him, the more I love him for the 2024 draft.
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