Not surprisingly, Bedard of Regina in the Western Hockey League is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings presented by BioSteel of the top North American skaters eligible for the draft, which is scheduled to be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The first round will be June 28 and Rounds 2-7 on June 29. The NHL Draft Lottery to determine the first 16 picks in the draft will be held in April.
Central Scouting revealed its midterm ranking of the top North American skaters and goalies, and the top International skaters and goalies, on Friday. Center Leo Carlsson of Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League, the top professional league in Sweden, is No. 1 among International skaters.
Rounding out the top five North American skaters are center Adam Fantilli of the University of Michigan, center William Smith of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, right wing Ryan Leonard of the NTDP, and center Brayden Yager of Moose Jaw in the WHL.
Bedard (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) was named the most valuable player of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship after leading gold medal-winning Canada with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in seven games to become the third NHL Draft-eligible player to be named WJC MVP in the past eight tournaments (Alexis Lafreniere, Canada, 2020; Jesse Puljujarvi, Finland, 2016).
“Connor Bedard has risen to every challenge and situation over the past three years and has excelled due to his tremendous talent, and he’s done so as one of the youngest players on each team,” Central Scouting vice president Dan Marr said. “At this year’s World Juniors, he again showed that he is a high-character player, and the hockey world was able to see his leadership ability to take charge and take his team to a gold medal.”
The 17-year-old right-shot center holds the record for most goals and points by a Canada player in a single World Juniors, and he had the fourth-most points of any player in a single WJC, behind Sweden forward Peter Forsberg (31, 1993), Sweden forward Markus Naslund (24, 1993) and Finland forward Raimo Helminen (24, 1984).
Despite missing 11 games while participating at the WJC, Bedard still leads the WHL in assists (39) and points (70) in 29 games, and has a 28-game point streak (31 goals, 39 assists). It’s the longest in the WHL since Brett Leason (Anaheim Ducks) of Prince Albert had a 30-game streak in 2018-19.
“When we start to use the term ‘generational talent,’ some people get into a knot about that stuff and think we’re loosely using that as a description, but that’s exactly what [Bedard] is. And when you are that type of talent, it’s all-encompassing,” Sportsnet scouting analyst Jason Bukala told the “NHL Draft Class” podcast. “There are special athletes in any sport that come along once in a while. They’re just in tune in so many different categories, and I’d qualify Bedard that way.
“He can be in the League right now, and depending what team he was playing for, certainly be right there in the Calder Trophy discussion as NHL rookie of the year, in my opinion.”
Fantilli (6-2, 195) leads Michigan with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 16 games as an 18-year-old freshman. He had five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games for Canada at the 2023 WJC.
“Fantilli’s freshman year results over the first half of the season are truly impressive,” Marr said. “He has proven that he has the necessary intangibles and commitment to do what is needed to be the best he can be, which is why he is a projected top draft pick for 2023.”
Smith (6-0, 178), who is committed to play at Boston College next season, is second on the NTDP with 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists) in 30 games. He took part in USA Hockey’s WJC development camp but had to leave because of an illness.
Leonard (5-11, 190), also committed to Boston College, ranks third on the NTDP with 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) in 28 games, and is first with eight power-play goals.
Smith and Leonard are two of five NTDP skaters projected to be first-round selections, according to Central Scouting. Center Oliver Moore (5-11, 188) is No. 6, right wing Gabriel Perreault (5-11, 165) is No. 15, and center Danny Nelson (6-3, 202) is No. 22.
Yager (5-10, 166) is tied for 12th in the WHL with 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in 40 games. He also has 26 power-play points (seven goals, 19 assists) and has won 51.3 percent of his face-offs.
Carlsson (6-3, 198) had six points (three goals, three assists) in seven games for fourth-place Sweden at the 2023 WJC while playing left wing. He has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and is averaging 15:26 of ice time in 25 games with Orebro.
“He had some minor problems with illness during the preliminary round of the World Juniors but was a key player (two goals) in the quarterfinal round against Finland,” NHL director of European Scouting Goran Stubb said. “Leo has an excellent set of tools, including skating, puck-handling, mobility and great offensive instincts.”
Rounding out the top five International skaters are right wing Matvei Michkov (5-10, 172) of Sochi in the Kontinental Hockey League; defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (5-11, 176) of Skelleftea in the SHL; Slovakia-born center Dalibor Dvorsky (6-1, 201) of AIK in the second division in Sweden; and left wing Eduard Sale (6-2, 174) of Brno in the Czech Extraliga.
“The biggest difference between (Carlsson and Michkov) right now is circumstances, whereas Carlsson is in a positive environment to hone his game and development while Michkov has missed time with injury and changed teams (loaned to Sochi from SKA St. Petersburg),” Marr said. “A strong and consistent second half by both these talents will determine who ultimately will be No. 1 on a final list. Each is deserving of the recognition based on their performances over the past couple of seasons.”
Michkov has five points (four goals, one assist) and is averaging 15:33 of ice time in eight games with Sochi; he did not have a point and was averaging 3:11 of ice time in three games with SKA St. Petersburg.
The No. 1 North American goalie is Carson Bjarnason (6-3, 186) of Brandon (WHL). He’s 15-11-2 with a 2.88 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and two shutouts in 29 games.
“Carson is very competitive, focused and determined,” said Al Jensen of NHL Central Scouting. “He has very good quickness, especially in reactions, recovery and lateral play. He’s got very good pro potential.”
The No. 1 International goalie is Alexander Hellnemo (6-2, 183) of Skelleftea’s team in Sweden’s junior league. The 19-year-old, who was born in Boblingen, Germany, is 9-5-0 with a 2.37 GAA and .921 save percentage in 14 games. He also is 3-2-0 with a 2.46 GAA and .893 save percentage in six SHL games with Skelleftea.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
