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Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews lead team USA into World Juniors

By Richard Flores

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It’s time for my favorite part of the hockey calendar: the World Junior Championships.

They officially get under way in both Toronto and Montreal on December 26th, but it’s never too early to take a peek at what to expect when they drop the puck on this year’s tournament.

First up is a look at team USA, who failed to medal last year after winning the 2013 tournament.

“The unique part is that everyone, including opponents, knows Jack is in the game, yet somehow he manages to have the puck a lot and create offense and that just shows what a special player he is,” – Jim Johannson to NHL.com

Many eyes will be on expected top overall pick Connor Mcdavid for team Canada, but Team USA has a stud of their own that fans can look forward to seeing. Jack Eichel is lighting it up as a Freshman for the Boston University Terriers. He leads the nation in scoring with 27 points in 16 games, and is expected to be the number two overall pick behind Mcdavid in the 2015 draft.

I first saw Eichel play at the CCM All-American prospects game earlier this year. Eichel notched two points, but one play in particular — which you almost had to see to believe — showed off his skills. Eichel picked up the puck up in his own zone, and proceeded to advance the puck all by his lonesome out of the zone, then smoothly through the neutral zone (I swear he was gliding he made it look so easy) and finally into the offensive before getting a shot away.

What made it so beautiful to watch was just how easy he made it look showing off his speed and his awareness. I cant wait to see more plays like that in the WJC.

photo via Getty Images

Recently, Eichel talked with Yahoo Sports about the World Juniors — among other things — but the thing that most Arizona hockey fans would find noteworthy is his take on Arizona State’s newly minted NCAA Division I hockey program.

"“You ever see the girls who go to that school? That might help.”"

Eichel went on to say that ASU will have a hard time competing with the traditions of many schools back east.

"“I’m serious … the have a lot of advantages with recruiting that a lot of other schools won’t. It’s a really nice climate and kids like to enjoy their social college life and Arizona has a really nice social life. For me, they don’t have the tradition, the history a place like BU or North Dakota would have”"

 Eichel isn’t the only young stud that American hockey fans will get a chance to see, though.

There are several others, including a 17 year old whom I am the most excited to see play — if he does indeed make the final roster, of course.

The player I want to see most is also an Arizona native, Auston Matthews. He is draft eligible in 2016 and currently plays for the United States National Development team.

He has put up 33 points in 24 games this season, and there has already been chatter that he could be the number one overall pick next year — putting to rest all that speculation about hockey in the desert, indeed. National Junior team Genaral Manager Jim Johannson recently talked with NHL.com’s Mike Morreale about what he thought of Matthews,

"“[Matthews is] very strong and has been an outstanding player for us at the NTDP and our development camp in Lake Placid in August,” Johannson said. “The little asterisk is that he’s just two days short from being eligible for this year’s draft, so he is young. He’s a 200-foot player with outstanding offensive abilities; he’s really hard to play against in every aspect of the game.”"

Matthews is also a centerman, just like Eichel. I am salivating at these two clogging up the middle of the ice for team America in Canada in just over a week.

photo via Getty Images

Matthews is good and all (Obviously), but the coolest thing is that the future USA hockey star is an Arizonan. Hockey is continuing to grow here in the Valley, and to see a native doing so well will help grow the game even more in the state.

Now that i’ve fawned over the two players whom I am most looking forward to playing there is a pretty big question mark surrounding the team’s health (don’t worry no mumps).

Steve Santini, a 2014 second round pick of the New Jersey Devils and returner from the 2014 World Junior team, is questionable for this year’s tourney as he recovers from wrist surgery. Santini was named the best defensemen at the 2013 IIHF Under-18 World Championships and currently plays at Boston College.

If healthy Santini would be bring a much needed shut down style to the American squad who will be faced with the task of facing the always powerful Team Canada and the likes of Connor Mcdavid, Max Domi, Sam Reinhart and Jake Virtanen (all former or expected first round picks).

The final Roster is expected to be released on Christmas Eve, two days prior to the first game for the United States. After its release, I will have a better look at the roster and what to expect so think of this as a sneak peek. We will also have more on the WJC throughout the tournament including updates on any Coyotes prospects who are getting their chance to shine on the world stage (Max Domi).

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