Daily 2018 Draft Prospect Updates

Dec. 11, 2017

PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE

Thank heaven for the World Junior A Challenge, or there would have been almost no hockey involving draft prospects on Monday.

The tournament in Truro, Nova Scotia, continued with a pair of games, as the unbeaten Czech Republic (2-0) spoiled Team USA's opener, and Canada East held off Switzerland for its first win. Canada East got a power-play goal from potential 2018 first-rounder Jack McBain, a Boston College recruit. The goal was assisted by fellow draft prospect Matthew Kellenberger, who's headed for Princeton. Both players are currently in the OJHL.

Of course, the big surprise Monday was Team USA's 4-2 loss to the Czechs. Team USA was supposed to be the favorite, but as mentioned here a day ago, the team to beat in this tournament is Russia. Sure, the Czechs are 2-0, and already have their ticket to the semifinals, but if Russia dominates Switzerland on Tuesday, then the Russians will go into the semis as the favorites. In any event, a Russia-Czech game will be great for the NHL scouts.

There is no top-performances list for Monday, so it's time to watch some video. This week's featured player has the most HDC top performances of any major-junior goalie this season -- Drummondville's Olivier Rodrigue. Watch these clips from three recent wins below, because he might be the first North American goalie drafted in June.