The 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship began on Monday with preliminary games.
The 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship kicks off on this wonderful Monday with preliminary games in Montreal and Toronto. All three of the Buffalo Sabres’ prospects in the tournament will be in action today.
Here’s what you need to know.
Their top two draft picks of 2016, Alexander Nylander (1st round, eighth overall) and Rasmus Asplund (2nd round, 33rd overall) will represent Sweden and will open the tournament at 1 p.m. against Denmark.
Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (3rd round, 86th overall) will suit up for Team USA. The Americans play Latvia at 3:30.
In last year’s tournament Nylander finished sixth in scoring and led Sweden in goals (4) and points (9) while on a line with Asplund. With the Rochester Americans this year, he’s fifth on the team in scoring with 17 points (5+12) in 29 games.
Here’s a look back at Asplund from this summer’s development camp. He has three goals and 11 points in 25 games with Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League.