Russia and Slovakia WJC Prelim Rosters

Russia

As we get closer to the tournament, look for the rosters of the European Teams as we get ready for the start of the World Juniors which begin on December 26.

In addidition to the USA and Canada, Russia and Slovakia have both reveled their prelim rosters for the WJC. For Russia, the last 2 years have finished in 3rd place as the Russians will take 33 players to a camp that will eventully be cut to 28 players for the final camp in the Moscow suburb of Novogorsk. Before the tournament starts, they have set up 2 pre tournament games against Switzerland and Latvia where 5 North America Based players will join them as well.

A majority of the team plays in Russia, but several notable North America Players will have a shot at the team as weel, this includes Dimitri Kulikov who was the Florida Panthers first round draft pick last year. Also Vyacheslav Voinov of the Manchester Monarchs in the American Hockey League and Dmitri Kugryshev of the Quebec City Ramparts (QMJHL).

Another notable Nikita Filatov who started the year with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but was recently decided to go back home to play for Russian Power house CSKA Moscow.

Russian Pre Tournament Roster

Goaltenders

Igor Bobkov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (RUS, KHL)

Alexander Zalivin, Dynamo Moscow (RUS, KHL)

Ramis Sadikov, Erie Otters (OHL)

Alexei Trifonov, Lada Togliatti (RUS, KHL)


Defensemen

Anton Klementiev, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)

Dmitri Orlov, Metallurg Novokuznetsk (RUS, KHL)

Maxim Chudinov, Severstal Cherepovets (RUS, KHL)

Dmitri Kostromitin, Rouyn-Nornda Huskies (QMJHL)

Nikita Zaitsev, Sibir Novosibirsk (RUS, KHL)

Nikita Pivtsakin, Avangard Omsk (RUS, KHL)

Konstantin Plaksin, Traktor Chelyabinsk (RUS, KHL)

Alexander Tarasov, MVD Balashikha (RUS, KHL)

IIldar Isangulov, Salavat Yulayev Ufa (RUS, KHL)

Kirill Yuriev, Lada Togliatti (RUS, KHL)

Vyacheslav Voinov, Manchester Monarchs (AHL)

Dmitri Kulikov, CSKA Moscow (RUS, KHL)


Forwards

Nikita Filatov, CSKA Moscow (RUS, KHL)

Alexander Burmostrov, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Vladimir Tarasenko, Sibir Novosibirsk (RUS, KHL)

Pavel Dedunov, Amur Khabarovsk (RUS, KHL)

Ivan Telegin, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Maxim Kitsyn, Metallurg Novokuznetsk (RUS, KHL)

Maxim Trunev, Severstal Cherepovets (RUS, KHL)

Sergei Plotnikov, Amur Khabarovsk (RUS, KHL)

Evgeni Kuznetsov, Traktor Chelyabinsk (RUS, KHL)

Evgeni Timkin, Avangard Omsk (RUS, KHL)

Vyacheslav Kulemin, CSKA Moscow (RUS, KHL)

Egor Dugin, Traktor Chelyabinsk (RUS, KHL)

Kirill Petrov, AK Bars Kazan (RUS, KHL)

Magomed Gimbatov, SKA St. Petersburg (RUS, KHL)

Petr Khokhryakov, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (RUS, KHL)

Dmitri Kugryshev, Quebec City Ramparts (QMJHL)

Evgeni Grachev, Hartford Wolfpack (AHL)


Slovakia

After a great tournament where they finished 4th which was one of the best junior performances ever. The Slovaks are wanting to prove that last year was no fluke. This was just 2 years after where they got a miracle to stay in the top level with a 9-0 bashing of Belarus where it was enough to put Germany and Belarus down to the Division 1 level. This year, Slovakia is hoping that they recent NHL Draft picks Tomas Tatar and Richard Panik will lead them on offense as they hope to have another strong tournament this season.

A couple of other forwards to look for is winger Jakub Gasparovic has scored 32 points (13G 19A) for the U20 Team which plays in the Slovak Extraliga. Also from the U18 squad is Libor Hudacek featured on the U18 Team after a strong tournament last year is looking ahead with him as he has 15 points which ranks 2nd on the U20 Team.

On defense is Martin Stajnoch has emerged as a defenseve leader with a +10 rating and is the featured defense on the team and should be a lock to make the squad. Earlier this season, Slovakia played in the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge where they went a perfect 3-0-0 in the event against Norway, Switzerland and Germany.

They were most impressed with the win against Switzerland since they will play them in the Group Stage. It's a tough start in front of them as they will play the USA on the opening day on December 26.

Slovakia Pre Tournament Roster

Goalies

Mark Ciliak, Kometa Brno (Extraliga, CZE)

Tomas Halasz, HC Kosice (Extralia, SVK)

Tomas Pek, Slovan Bratislava (Extraliga, SVK)


Defensemen

Peter Hrasko, HKm Zvolen (Extraliga, SVK)

Henrich Jabornik, HK 36 Skalica (Extraliga, SVK)

Ivan Jankovic, HK 36 Skalica (Extraliga, SVK)

Adam Janosik, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

Martin Marincin, HC Kosice (Extraliga, SVK)

Matus Rais, HK Nitra (Extraliga, SVK)

Michal Siska, HKm Zvolen (Extraliga, SVK)

Peter Slimak, HC Kosice (Extraliga, SVK)

Martin Stajnoch, Slovan Bratislava (Extraliga, SVK)


Forwards

Martin Bakos, Slovan Bratislava (Extraliga, SVK)

Lukas Cingel, MsHK Zilina (Extraliga, SVK)

Jakub Gasparovic, Dukla Trencin (Extraliga, SVK)

Frantisek Gerhet, HC Litvinov (Extraliga, CZE)

Maros Grosaft, HK Nitra (Extraliga, SVK)

Libor Hudacek, Slovan Bratislava (Extraliga, SVK)

Radoslav IIIo, Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Andrej Kudrna, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Adam Lapsansky, HK Popard (Extraliga, SVK)

Samuel Mlynarovic, HK Proprad (Extraliga, SVK)

Richard Panik, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Andrej Stastny, Dukla Trencin (Extraliga, SVK)

Jan Sykora, HC Banska Bystrica (Extraliga, SVK)

Tomas Tatar, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Martin Uhnak, HK Nitra (Extraliga, SVK)

Michael Vandas, HK Popard (Extraliga, SVK)

Marek Viedensky, Prince George Cougars (WHL)