Finland has released their final roster for the World Juniors. Two WHLers on the team - goaltender Riku Helenius of Seattle, and forward Juuso Puustinen of Kamloops. Jyri Niemi of Saskatoon did not make the team. I have updated the who's-away-this-month list (below) with those names plus the return of the B-pool WJC players.
ISS (International Scouting Services) has released their updated 2008 NHL draft rankings. The OHL's Steven Stamkos continues to top the list; the rest of the country will get a good look at him on the Canadian Junior team after Christmas. Top WHLer on the list is Rockets defenceman Luke Schenn at #4.
No WHL goalies on the top five goalies listed there. I know he was eligible last year and not picked, but what does a guy like Portland's Kurtis Mucha have to do to attract any NHL interest? He has a .902 save percentage this year despite facing a ridiculous 39.6 shots per 60 minutes on average. At 6'2", he has the size that NHL teams covet in goaltenders as well.....so why does he get no respect from NHL scouts? For any flaws he has, the guy stops a ridiculous number of pucks....and style or weaknesses be damned, isn't that what the position is about? Surely somebody will use at least a 7th round pick on him next summer.....won't they?
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