WJC Scouting Report: Berzins helps Latvia hang with USA

It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

The World Junior Championship begins today. The traditional, post-Christmas, schedule in in place. The journey will end on Jan. 5, with the winning team draping gold medals around their necks.

Throughout the tournament, I will be providing daily scouting reports for Sportsnet. We'll highlight deserving players who elevate their game, but it's also part of the process to observe and report on prospects who play below expectation on the big stage.

This year’s event is flush with previously drafted players as well as elite prospects for the 2023 draft.

Ahead of my player reports, here are some guidelines for our readers to understand:

Most NHL teams produce “Summary Tournament Reports” at the end of the event, while others provide a game-by-game analysis. I will provide daily observations.

In the round-robin portion of the tournament I will be attending two games daily. The distance between Halifax and Moncton is 260km. Weather permitting, it is possible to attend a mid-day game in one city and catch the late game in the other if I feel the need to get more views on certain teams/players.

Updated player cards are based on game day viewing and will be updated again at the end of the tournament to provide more of an overall summary.

The goal of this column is to provide readers an inside look at how information is shared amongst scouting staffs at tournaments.

Let’s get started...

TEAM FINLAND (2) vs TEAM SWITZERLAND (3) OT

Team Switzerland started the game with a very conservative strategy. When they didn’t have possession of the puck, all five skaters lined up in the neutral zone to defend against Team Finland’s breakout. Team Finland grew increasingly frustrated and failed to execute off the rush, or pursue pucks down low in the Swiss zone.

Team Switzerland eventually started to press more up ice and created chances to score off hard work along the boards. Although they do not have the same level of skill as Finland, they showed much more consistent push back and detail.

Team Finland did not get enough out of their star players up front. Their lack of battle and drive stood out as an area of concern at 5on5. Only on the power play did Finland’s top skill players display their element.

Player Observations

Lian Bichsel, D, Switzerland

The hulking Dallas Stars first round pick in 2022 was, by far, the best player in the game for me.

He was used in all situations. He played with a presence below his goal line and out front his net (defending). When his outlet options were too risky to execute, he made safe decisions – chipping pucks off the glass to neutral territory. His ability to lead the rush occasionally has to be respected. On the game-winning goal he took a puck up ice, following an excellent defensive play, and started the offensive sequence from deep in Finland's zone. The end result was an assist on the GWG scored by Captain Atillio Biasca. Bischel is more than just a shut down defender.

Brian Zanetti, D, Switzerland

Philadelphia Flyers draft pick (110^th overall in 2021) Brian Zanetti was also very steady for Team Swiss. He was deployed in all situations and was up to the task. I especially appreciated his poise with the puck. His outlets were crisp and accurate. He launched the attack responsibly. His defending was also sound. Team Finland didn’t push back very hard in the trenches, but Zanetti was prepared for battle when required. Zanetti played fast enough and kept the game in front of him. His detail was excellent.

Mats Alge, F, Switzerland

These events sometimes present an “underdog” player who raises his game and increases his value to his team.

Alge was all over the puck in this game. He created turnovers, went to the net looking for rebounds and tips, and out-worked his opponents. I’m not sure the official score sheet will give him two assists, but he certainly earned them. On the first goal he created a turnover from down low in the Finland zone. On the second goal his net drive extended zone time for the Swiss.

I don’t think Alge has NHL upside, but he caught my eye today with his relentless compete.

Kalle Vaisanen, LW, Finland

Vaisanen was one of the bright spots for Team Finland. He scored one goal and had an assist on the other of Finland's two goals.

The New York Rangers draft pick (106^th overall in 2021) used his physical tools to extend plays along the boards and take pucks to the middle of the ice. His game-tying goal was a result of corralling a puck down low in the zone, walking up the half wall, and beating two opponents to the high slot before snapping a puck home from range.

He was one of the few Finnish players who competed in the hard areas. He played to a power forward identity. His pace was sound.

Brad Lambert, C, Finland

Lambert wasn’t good enough in this game. The only time he played to his identity was when the Finns had the power-play. He led zone entries with his speed. I had to look for Lambert at 5vs5. His push back and interior game was not good enough. The team is counting on him to provide more than he did today. Lambert skated at even strength and on the first power-play unit.

Joakim Kemell, RW, Finland

Kemell needs to be better. He showed more spark in the third period, playing quicker and directing pucks on goal, but he wasn’t good enough over the full 60 minutes.

Team Swiss did a nice job clogging up the middle of the ice and Kemell, along with his teammates, had a difficult time breaking through. He’s a motion player who relies on open ice. His push back / drive through opponents checks was far below the required standard. Kemell was deployed at even strength and on the first power-play unit.

TEAM USA (5) vs TEAM LATVIA (2)

Team USA took some time to get going versus Team Latvia, but the end result was never really in doubt.

USA outshot Latvia badly (46-17). If not for Latvian goaltender, Patriks Berzins, the score would have been significantly worse than the 5-2 final ended up as.

Here are some of my notes:

Patriks Berzins, G, Latvia

Berzins is listed at 6-foot tall and, incredibly only 148 pounds!

He’s an active butterfly/athletic goalie who routinely ends up outside his posts, tracking side to side. He’s also very competitive and will do whatever it takes to make second, third, and fourth saves. Rebound control is an area of concern, though. He tends to drop too soon, opening up space over his shoulders and gloves. At this stage he doesn’t project to have NHL upside. He’s heading to Maine (NCAA) and could end up being a college watch down the line.

Sandis Vilmanis, F, Latvia

The Florida Panthers' fifth-round selection from the 2022 draft was in and out for Team Latvia. His team was second-best in the game and chased the play. Having said that Vilmanis didn’t play to a consistent identity. At times he played with some pace up and down the ice, but at others he looked out of gas. He has a short stride in open space that holds him back occasionally. Offensively I’m not sure if he is a player who has battle in the trenches, is a shooter, or a playmaker. He's undefined for me at this stage, but has time on his side to work up his game.

Logan Cooley, F, USA

Cooley had an assist. He logged just over 18 minutes of ice time at even strength and the power play. He’s dynamic offensively, but I’m looking for him to share the puck more appropriately as the competition ramps up. Some of his turnovers today could lead to goals against in future games versus better opponents.

Cutter Gauthier, F, USA

Cutter played to his identity and had sound pace. He battled for pucks along the boards and around the Latvian crease. He didn’t score in this game, but did direct five shots on goal. He was dangerous. He gives opponents all they can handle.

Charlie Stramel, F, USA

I thought Stramel was solid for Team USA. He created traffic out front the Latvia net and subtly got in the way and created a distraction offensively. More importantly his pace was not a concern in this game. His bottom six role on this team suits his style right now.

Gavin Brindley, F, USA

Brindley was also used in a bottom six role and played to his identity. He’s quick to space, pressures opponents, creates turnovers, and can be a threat off the rush. Brindley appears to be a player who can be used in a variety of roles for Team USA.

Luke Hughes, D, USA

The Team USA captain scored on the power-play in the third period. I felt the first half of his game was too hectic at times. He’s an elite skater who projects to be a transitional defender when he arrives in the NHL. The New Jersey Devils have a potential top pairing “D” in Hughes but he needs to manage the puck better for a full 60 minutes. The good news is, the second half of his game was more settled.