4 OHL Players Earn Medals at 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship
Four OHL players have earned medals at the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Poprad and Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia.
Draft eligible talents Linus Nyman and Eemeli Rasanen of the Kingston Frontenacs claimed Silver with Finland following a 4-2 loss at the hands of the United States in Sunday’s Gold Medal Game.
The Gold finish is the third in the past four years for the United States.
Rasanen, who competed in the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past January, scored a goal in the loss as Finland earned a spot on the podium for a third straight year.
Two OHL players captured Bronze with Russia in a 3-0 blanking of Sweden.
Defenceman Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph Storm) and forward Kirill Maksimov (Niagara IceDogs) both provided goals for the Russians who outshot Sweden 30-21 in the Bronze Medal Game while Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) collected an assist.
Chehkovich was the lone CHL player in the event named to the tournament all-star team as selected by members of the media while defenceman Mark Rubinchik (Saskatoon Blades) was named one of Russia’s top three players in the tournament.
The Bronze is Russia’s first medal at the event since 2011.
A total of 15 OHL players competed in the annual event including nine who competed for Canada in a fifth place finish following a quarterfinal loss to Sweden.
MacKenzie Entwistle (Hamilton Bulldogs) led Canada in scoring with seven points (4-3–7) over five games. He, fellow forward Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings) and blueliner Jett Woo (Moose Jaw Warriors) were chosen as Canada’s top three players in the tournament by head coach Darren Rumble (Moncton Wildcats) and his staff.
The 2018 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship will take place in Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, Russia.
OHL PLAYERS AT 2017 IIHF WORLD UNDER-18 HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
FINLAND (Silver Medalists):
Linus Nyman (Kingston Frontenacs) – 6GP, 3-2–5
Eemeli Rasanen (Kingston Frontenacs) – 6GP, 1-0–1
RUSSIA (Bronze Medalists):
Kirill Maksimov (Niagara IceDogs) – 7GP, 3-0–3
Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph Storm) – 7GP, 1-4–5
CANADA (5th Place):
Goaltenders:
Jake McGrath (Sudbury Wolves) – 2GP, 0-1, 2.32 GAA, .916 SV%
Forwards:
Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds) – 5GP, 0-0–0
MacKenzie Entwistle (Hamilton Bulldogs) – 5GP, 4-3–7*
Liam Hawel (Guelph Storm) – 5GP, 0-0–0
Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm) – 5GP 2-0–2
Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm) – 5GP, 0-1–1
Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs) – 5GP, 1-2–3
Jack Studnicka (Oshawa Generals) – 3GP, 3-0–3
Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs) – 5GP, 0-0–0
SLOVAKIA (6th Place):
Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting) – 5GP, 2-3–5
CZECH REPUBLIC (7th Place):
Ondrej Machala (Niagara IceDogs) – 5GP, 2-1–3
*- Named one of team’s top three players as chosen by coaching staff
For more information on the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship, please visit IIHF.com or HockeyCanada.ca.
