Canucks Prospects Update
Russia
Vasili Podkolzin's has been making his way across Canada representing Russia in the Canada/Russia Series. For those who are unaware, it's an event that sees the U20 Russia team play two games against each of the WHL, QMJHL, and OHL's best Canadian players. Podkolzin was limited to one assist in the six games but was a play-driver every time he hopped over the boards. A little luck here and there and the Canucks top pick from 2019 would've had a few more points.
He will head back to Russia for a couple of weeks before attending the Team Russia World Juniors camp and then the main event in late December.
Artyom Manukyan has not suited up for a regular game this season after sustaining an injury in the pre-season.
Sweden
Nils Hoglander represented Sweden at the U20 Four Nations tournament in Helsinki, Finland. He finished the event with two goals and one assist and was named the player of the game in their 6-1 win over Russia. Like Podkolzin, he will head back to Europe for a couple of weeks before getting ready for the World Juniors.
Linus Karlsson is to five goals and five assists in 19 games with Karlskrona HK in the Allsvenskan (second division in Sweden). He has already matched his goal total from last season and that is in large part because he has been playing wing this season.
Arvid Costmar has not played since our last update due to an upper body injury. He will hopefully return soon.
Finland
Toni Utunen was not originally expected to play for Finland at the aforementioned Four Nations event, in large part because he had recently returned from injury and is a fairly certain to make the World Juniors roster but was added after Lassi Thomson got injured. He played a depth role for them but saw regular time on the PK.
Due to a break in competition in Europe,
Petrus Palmu was limited to one game, but he picked up one goal and one assist in that contest. With 17 points (7-10-17) on the year, he is hovering just outside the top 10 scorers in Liiga this season despite playing only 11 games.
Czech Republic
2019 6th round pick
Karel Plasek scored against Sweden in their contest at the U20 Four Nations event and picked up an assist in another game. Overall, he had a strong tournament that probably ensured his invite to the Czech Republic World Juniors camp. He continues to see regular time in the Extraliga as a top-six forward with former NHL'r Tomas Plekanec as his centre.
NCAA
After a slow start to the season,
Tyler Madden has found his scoring touch and doesn't appear to be slowing down. In 10 games this season, Madden has six goals and four assists and leads Northeastern University in goals and assists.
Like Madden, Aidan McDonough started the season a bit slow but has come on as the season has got going. In seven games this year, McDonough has found the back of the net three times. He remains in their top-six and doesn't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
William Lockwood still sits at three goals on the season - he did not suit up for Michigan in their most recent game but isn't expected to be out of the lineup for very long.
Despite primarily playing on the fourth line,
Jack Malone has been able to score one goal and one assist in four NCAA games with Cornell. He has seen some second powerplay time.
Jack Rathbone has seized the opportunity at Harvard this season and run with it. In three games this year, the 2017 4th round pick has scored three goals and assisted on three more. He is making his mark in all three zones and making fantastic passes for those assists.
CHL
Carson Focht is up to eleven goals and seven assists in sixteen WHL games this season. He also represented the WHL in the Canada/Russia Series but was unable to find the scoresheet in two games.
Jett Woo was also held off the scoresheet in those two games for the WHL and sits at one goal and seven assists in 17 games for the Calgary Hitmen.
Goaltender
Arturs Silovs has a sparkling 8-3-1 record with the Barrie Colts and appears to be their main man in between the pipes on a nightly basis. He has a 3.23 and 0.902 SV% in twelve games this season.
Ethan Keppen is up to seven goals and five assists in 18 games with the Flint Firebirds.