So when a year later they waste little time breaking that record with nine this year, which also includes an NHL high, it does wonders.
The group includes four representatives from Czechia, two from each of Sweden and two from Slovakia and one representing the United States, the reigning gold medalists.
They understand…
* Czechia: Adam Jiricek (2024, first round), Jakub Stancl (2023, fourth round), Adam Jecho (2024, third round) and Ondrej Kos (2024, third round).
*Sweden: Otto Stenberg (2023, first round) and Theo Lindstein (2023, first round).
* Slovakia: Dalibor Dvorsky (2023, first round) and Juraj Pekarcik (2023, third round).
*UNITED STATES : Colin Ralph (2024, second round).
Five of last year’s seven (Dvorsky, Stenberg, Lindstein, Pekarcik and Stancl) are back in search of gold, something Jimmy Snuggerud (2022, first round) managed to accomplish with the United States. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (2022, third round) also played last year for Finland.
But surpassing last year’s number and representing the best number in the NHL leaves no doubt that the Blues believe there is a solid pipeline of prospects.
“Nine is a big number for an NHL team,” Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. “You’ve seen the number of draft picks we’ve had over the last couple of years and the type of high-end players we’ve drafted. I’m really excited that each of these kids are very honest. We have Theo and Otto returning as second year players with Sweden who reached the final last year and lost to the United States We have Dvorsky who is playing his first year of professional hockey at the AHL level and had a good debut. half time here. see how he reacts. at a big tournament where he’s the guy now. He has to be the man to look forward to these different personalities and how they fit into their teams and see how they react in this situation.
“This is one of the biggest tournaments that these players will compete in to represent their country. I’m really excited for each of them. I mentioned a few names, like Stancl, his sophomore year; Pekarcik, sophomore. Kos, Jecho and Jiricek got injured last year, so it’s really his first year and obviously you have Ralph for Team USA playing against their peers and playing in the best tournament that they will play against their own. age group. It’s exciting to see them.
The tournament will take place in Ottawa starting with Sweden vs. Slovakia at 11 a.m. PT and continuing through the medal games on January 5. Network will broadcast all but two games live in the United States and TSN Networks will broadcast all 28 games in Canada.
But now that all eyes will be on the Blues’ hopes on the biggest stage they’ll ever play on, it’s an opportunity to build the organization’s confidence in the player individually but also as a collective group to well perform.
“It obviously shows them that we’re going in the right direction, that our path, that we have a plan and that the plan seems to be going in the right direction right now with these nine players,” Taylor said. “We hope that these players will obviously be a part of the Blues in the NHL or in the years to come. We are confident enough with our development team and with our amateur scouting staff that these players are players who will thrive within the Blues organization and we hope that one day they will give this organization a Stanley Cup again.
“You have Theo, Otto and Dvorsky as first round picks. And Jiricek is a first round pick, Pekarcik a third rounder, Ralph a second rounder, you continue with Stancl, Kos and Jecho, they are good. They are very good players and ultimately you hope all nine of them make it to the NHL and it’s just another step in their whole career and it’s a step in the right direction for them to. participate in important matches and at a big tournament like this that everyone and all their countries are watching and obviously it’s a very good springboard for their whole career and what’s to come. We hope it’s the nine guys that. will play with the Blues and who will one day hold the Stanley Cup for us.
