We’re just a week away from the start of the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championships now. It’s an event that’s always worth paying attention to, but this year the NHL lockout means there will be a lot more eyes following the junior action than usual.
Five Nashville Predators prospects were invited to their teams’ camps two weeks ago. Colton Sissons wasn’t able to crack the lineup for Team Canada, and Max Gortz won’t be playing for Team Sweden after hurting himself recently playing for Farjestads in the Elitserien. But three other Nashville prospects could still see action at this year’s WJC – and you can watch them play live.
JIMMY VESEY – TEAM USA
Team USA is still scheduled to cut three more players before the tournament begins, and Nashville prospect Jimmy Vesey is still in the hunt for a spot on the final roster. Final cuts have to be made by December 25th. The Americans will be looking to improve on a disappointing 7th-place performance in last year’s championship, but they face a particularly tough draw this time around.
Should the Harvard University forward make the team, you’ll be able to watch him live. Team USA’s preliminary round games against Group B opponents Germany, Canada, Russia, and Slovakia will be broadcast live from Finland on NHL Network. The games will be re-aired during primetime. Fans in the United States can also catch the games streaming at NHL.com.
Thursday Dec. 27: USA vs. Germany
LIVE: 8:00 a.m. Central Time, NHL Network & NHL.com
REPLAY: 7:00 p.m. Central Time, NHL Network
Friday Dec. 28: USA vs. Russia
LIVE: 8:00 a.m. Central Time, NHL Network & NHL.com
REPLAY: 7:00 p.m. Central Time, NHL Network
Sunday Dec. 30: USA vs. Canada
LIVE: 3:30 a.m. Central Time, NHL Network & NHL.com
REPLAY: 7:00 p.m. Central Time, NHL Network
Monday Dec. 31: USA vs. Slovakia
LIVE: 3:30 a.m. Central Time, NHL Network
REPLAY: 7:00 p.m. Central Time, NHL Network & NHL.com
MIIKKA SALOMAKI AND MIKKO VAINONEN – TEAM FINLAND
Finland is hosting this year’s championship, and the Predators have two prospects on the Finns’ preliminary roster. Winger Miikka Salomaki has played in two WJCs already and looks poised to make an impact in his final year of eligibility. As for defenseman Mikko Vainonen, surviving the cuts would allow the blueliner to represent his country at the WJCs for the first time.
Team Finland’s draw looks a lot easier than Team USA’s on paper. The Finns will play against Sweden, Switzerland, Latvia, and the Czech Republic in the preliminary round. The NHL Network and NHL.com won’t be airing any of those games, unfortunately. But if Team Finland makes the medal round (as it should) then we’ll get the chance to watch the Preds’ two prospects in action.
If there are any questions you’d like answered about these Nashville Predators prospects at the World Junior Hockey Championships, the crew from Yahoo’s Buzzing The Net junior hockey blog is hosting a Reddit AMA today, December 18th.
Will you be following the 2013 World Junior Championships?
- No, the schedule is too brutal (100%, 1 Votes)
- Yes, I'll be up early watching every game live (0%, 0 Votes)
- Yes, but I'll wait for the primetime rebroadcasts (0%, 0 Votes)
- No, the NHL lockout has soured me on hockey (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 1
Loading ...Topics: Nashville Predators, Prospects, World Junior Championships
I've been a Predators fan since long before I moved to Nashville. Through five team captains, two ownership crises, three arena names, and one enormous offer sheet, I've watched Nashville's NHL franchise grow along with the city. I've seen David Poile's and Barry Trotz's "Predator Way" lead regularly to the awkward but significant joy of playoff hockey on 80-degree days, and I've amassed a veritable pile of gold t-shirts and "growl towels" in the process. I've even begun to let myself dream of the sight of Lord Stanley's Cup parading down lower Broadway. (It may not be here yet, but it's good to be prepared!)
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