On Saturday Canada defeated Finland in OT to win the rescheduled World Junior Championships.
Ranger prospects Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle and Dylan Garand won Gold with Canada.
Othmann had two goals and four assists in six games and said during the tournament that he’s a “very physical” player and “that’s how I get under the skin of guys. I’m almost 190 pounds and I play like I’m a little bit heavier. That’s something a little underrated in my game.” (TSN)
He added “the guy that I always look up to in the NHL is Matthew Tkachuk. He’s a guy that’s physical and gets under guys’ skin a lot. He likes to be that rat on the ice, you love him on your team, hate playing against him and that is kind of the mentality that I have on the ice.” (TSN)
Othmann’s teammates said that he is talker on the ice, with Ridly Greig saying “he’s always got something up his sleeve. He’s always saying something to the opposing team. I’ve had a couple good chuckles.” (TSN)
Scott Wheeler of The Athletic wrote that Othmann was one of the “most physical players” during the tournament and was “playing the pest, too.”
Wheeler adds that Othmann “played a direct, attacking game with the puck” and played “with a purpose” after sitting out the first game of the touranment.
Cuylle had two goals and two assists in the tournament and Wheeler wrote that he was using his “size advantage, good positionally” and “always seemed to be in the mix of positive things.”
Garand had six wins in the tournament as Canada’s starting goalie and had a GAA of 1.98 and save percentage of .925.
Wheeler wrote that Garand didn’t have to steal any games, but was the second best goalie in the tournament. (The Athletic)
Adam Sykora had one goal for Slovakia in four games.
Wheeler wrote that Sykora played a big role as a Captain and underage player for Slovakia and around “it and always in the mix.” (The Athletic)
He said that Sykora played with his “usual fearlessness” and “one of those kids who leaves it all out there, fights through contact and wills plays into existence. (The Athletic)
He continued that Sykora blends skill “into his speed and effort level beautifully to make plays.” (The Athletic)