The 2012 World Junior Championship is underway in Alberta, Canada. The top tournament for under-20 year old hockey players kicked off Monday with wins by Team USA and Canada.
Today, both teams are back in action again – with the U.S. facing Finland and Canada squaring off with the Czech Republic.
Of note, the US/Finland game will feature three LA Kings prospects. In the red, white and blue will be the Kings two tallest defensive prospects – Derek Forbort (6-foot-5, from the University of North Dakota, first round selection at the 2010 NHL Draft) and Kevin Gravel (6-foot-4, from St. Cloud State University, fifth round 2010 NHL Draft).
They could be shooting pucks at Christopher Gibson (2011 draft pick out of the QMJHL), as Team Finland hasn’t announced their starter yet. He was in goal on Monday for all eight of Canada’s goals. It wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was so bad the announcers were using expressions like ‘post traumatic stress disorder’ and ‘under siege’ when talking about Gibson’s day.
The Americans also routed their opponent on Monday (Denmark), with a final score of 11-3. In that game, 2010 first round draft pick Charlie Coyle picked up a hat trick. Coyle has been in the news quite a bit the last few months. First, he was traded by the Sharks over the summer to the Minnesota Wild. Then, just before the tournament, it was announced he’s leaving Boston University to go play for the defending Memorial Cup Champion Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. Prior to the draft, he stopped by MayorsManor for a pretty fun interview (linked below).
Both of today’s WJC games can be seen on the NHL Network. The USA game starts at noon PST and will be replayed later tonight.
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RELATED ARTICLES:
Guest Author: Defenseman Kevin Gravel’s Team USA camp journal
All three Kings prospects earn medals at 2011 WJC
Exclusive: Tyler Toffoli on his Team Canada camp experience
NHL Draft – Interview with Charlie Coyle
2011 World Junior Championship recap – notes on Kings prospects Kitsyn, Schenn, etc.
Warming up for the World Juniors with Kyle Clifford – summer 2010
New Year’s Eve 2009 – Jeremy Roenick previews USA vs Canada at WJC
