Lower Mainland hockey fans have an opportunity to get a sneak preview of the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships this week when the Langley Events Centre hosts a pair of exhibition games.
The Lordco Auto Parts’ Road to the World Juniors will feature Finland taking on Denmark Wednesday night and the United States battling the Czech Republic on Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m.
The Finish roster includes highly-touted forward prospect Kaapo Kakko, who is currently ranked second for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, as well as Rasmus Kupari, a first round pick of the Los Angeles Kings. Also aiming to crack the Finnish roster is Vancouver Canucks draft pick Toni Utunen. The defenceman was a fifth-round pick of the Canucks in 2018.
Denmark’s line-up will include forward Jonas Rondbjerg, a third-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights.
On Saturday, there will be plenty of high-end talent on display when the U.S. take on the Czech Republic.
Among the players looking to secure spot on the Americans’ roster is 2018 Canucks first round pick — defenceman Quinn Hughes who currently plays at the University of Michigan. He is also the older brother of expected first overall pick next June — forward Jack Hughes — who has a good shot to land a spot on the final American roster.
The U.S. team also features another Canuck prospect, forward Tyler Madden, a third-round pick in 2018.
In total, the game is expected to featured 25 drafted players including 16 from the Czech Republic.
This includes four first rounders — Filip Chytil (New York Rangers), Martin Kaut (Colorado), Martin Necas (Carolina) and Filip Zadina (Detroit) – and seven more on the American roster – Cayden Primeau (Montreal), K’Andre Miller (New York Rangers), Joel Farabee (Philadelphia), Josh Norris (Ottawa), Jay O’Brien (Philadelphia), Ryan Poehling (Montreal) and Oliver Wahlstrom (New York Islanders).
This could also be the only time for Lower Mainland hockey fans to see the Americans and the Finns with all their preliminary round games in Victoria.
Tickets are available in two-game packs or individually. Click here for game one and here for game two.
