Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Michigan names impress at U.S. World Junior Evaluation Camp

Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey
Dylan Larkin at the Red Wings’ development camp (photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)

 

By Dan Marrazza –

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – On Saturday, USA Hockey’s Evaluation Camp for the 2016 World Junior Championships concluded in Lake Placid, N.Y.

At the conclusion of camp, there are 32 players remaining for 23 spots on a roster that will be finalized in December, just a week before the 2016 World Junior Championships begin in Helsinki, Finland on Dec. 26.

Among USA Hockey’s 32 finalists are four Michigan natives, as well as highly touted Red Wings prospect Dominic Turgeon.

Here’s how the five players with Michigan ties fared in camp this week.

Dylan Larkin
NHL rights: Drafted by Detroit in the first round (15th overall) in 2014
2015-16 team: University of Michigan
Position: Center
Size: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
Birthday: 7/30/96
Hometown: Waterford, Mich.

At the World Juniors last year, Larkin exploded with five goals and seven points in five games and was undoubtedly the United States’ best player.

At Evaluation Camp this week, it was pretty much the same story. Larkin had two goals and two assists in five games at camp while consistently centering one of the U.S.’s top two lines.

While other players in camp were looking to solidify roster spots, Larkin seemed more to be relishing the experience of what will be his final crack at winning World Juniors gold.

“This year, I am expected to be on the team hopefully,” Larkin said. “I’m just looking to come in with the same mentality and just play hockey. This is going to be my last time at it, so I want to win this year.”

World Junior forecast: Will make the team, barring injury (and approval from Grand Rapids/Detroit).

Zach Werenski
NHL rights: Drafted by Columbus in the first round (8th overall) in 2015
2015-16 team: University of Michigan
Position: Defense
Size: 6-foot-2, 214 pounds
Birthday: 7/19/97
Hometown: Grosse Pointe, Mich.

When he was the youngest player in NCAA hockey last season, Werenski somewhat surprisingly made the U.S.’s World Junior team as a 17-year-old defenseman in what’s predominantly known as a tournament for 19-year-olds.

This year, he looked as if he may have been the best defenseman the United States had in camp.

“He’s done everything right this week,” Chris Chelios said of Werenski after working with U.S. defensemen all week in camp. “He keeps the play simple – a real steady eddy. Probably one of the top guys as far as being consistent every game.

“Like I said, he’s doing everything right. There’s not one bad thing you can say about his game.”

World Junior forecast: Will make the team, barring injury.

Kyle Connor
NHL rights: Drafted by Winnipeg in the first round (17th overall) in 2015
2015-16 team: University of Michigan
Position: Forward
Size: 6-foot-1, 183 pounds
Birthday: 12/9/96
Hometown: Shelby, Mich.

The reigning USHL Player of the Year with the Youngstown Phantoms, Connor entered camp coming off a dominant season where he racked up a staggering 34 goals and 46 assists in 56 games.

Although he was kept off the scoresheet all week in camp, the forward who will be a freshman at the University of Michigan this fall seemed to impress Ron Wilson, who will be serving as head coach of the U.S.’s World Juniors team this winter.

“I was impressed with him,” Wilson said. “He keeps getting better. As the week goes on, if you still stay here, you have a chance to make a lasting impression. He did that.”

World Junior forecast: Should make the team, barring injury or a catastrophic start to his NCAA career.

Brandon Halverson
NHL rights: Drafted by the NY Rangers in the second round (59th overall) in 2014.
2015-16 team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Position: Goaltender
Size: 6-foot-4, 190 pounds
Birthday: 3/29/96
Hometown: Traverse City, Mich.

In a summer camp when most players are skating in their first games in months, the offense usually tends to flow pretty freely, which is certainly not the greatest environment to evaluate a goaltender.

So in that sense, Halverson’s 3.29 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in three games this week hardly seems spectacular. However, when compared to other goalies in camp, Halverson’s numbers were actually quite impressive.

“I clearly thought he was our best goalie,” U.S. coach Ron Wilson said. “You can see why he had such a good record with the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) last year. He really keeps the game simple and emotionally he’s pretty stable.

“I was really impressed.”

World Junior forecast: After making the team as backup last year, Halverson seems to be a pretty safe bet to make this year’s team. As of now, he may be the leading candidate to be the U.S.’s starter.

Dominic Turgeon
NHL rights: Drafted by Detroit in the third round (63th overall) in 2014
2015-16 team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Position: Center
Size: 6-foot-2, 196 pounds
Birthday: 2/25/96
Hometown: Pointe-Claire, Quebec

When looking at Dominic Turgeon off of the ice, his physical resemblance to his father, Pierre, is uncanny. However, it’s not really fair to compare the two, considering Dominic is still playing in the Western Hockey League and his father scored 515 goals in the NHL after getting drafted first overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1987.

In terms of Dominic Turgeon, he started camp this week very strong, scoring a goal in his first game (and intra-team scrimmage of the week); however he was held scoreless in his final four games of the week against Sweden and Finland.

While Turgeon possesses a unique blend of size in skill, it seems like he’ll have to be more of a role player for him to make Team USA.

“There’s a lot of offensive talent here,” Turgeon said. “There’s a ton. For me, I feel like I have to be strong on my game. Just be a two-way guy.”

Did you know?: Turgeon is a dual-citizen, having been born in Quebec when his father played for the Montreal Canadiens. He considers Colorado to be his home, however, as that’s where his father settled the family after finishing his career with the Avalanche in 2007.

Twenty years before, Pierre Turgeon represented Canada at the 1987 World Junior Championships. Five years before that, he represented Canada at the 1982 Little League World Series.

Dominic Turgeon has only ever chosen to represent the United States.

World Junior forecast: On the bubble. Will require a strong start to the season in the WHL to survive the final roster cuts in Dec.