Photo Credit: IIHF.com
Many people love the WJC Tournament, and this year is no different even with Covid-19 giving the NHL and other league’s throughout the hockey World headaches at the moment. Some Flyers fans may have seen Captain Emil Andrae tearing it up for Team Sweden as his gap control has been stellar at this tournament. Yes, it is early and they have only played in two games thus far, however, this 5’9 left-hand shot defenseman has been physical and determined.
Emil Andrae
Andrae was born on February 23, 2002, in Vasterviks, SWE. His passion for the game found himself playing for the HV71 hockeyallsvenskan team. For the season, he registered two goals, and 14 assists for a total of 16 points in 21 games played. Moreover, for his efforts Andrae was given title of Team Captain for Sweden throughout the WJC Tournament, and he is also a plus six on the season.
The young 19-year-old prospect worked his tail off in the off-season to improve his game. Andrae is a 200 foot player, that is as fast as they come, plus he has a blistering shot. His hard-work paid off in a big way, and he has blistering shot. Andrae can play in any situation the coaching staff asks of him.
He only stands at 5’9 and only weighs 176 pounds, but he is still a talented left-handed shot defenseman. His hockey IQ has vastly improved from the prior year. Andrae is becoming a really versatile player that has impeccable gap control.
A 5’9 player in Andrae played the most minutes out of any skater last night for Sweden (23:32) in a 3-0 Swedish victory. He totalled 30 shifts last night against Slovakia, and has one goal and one assist in two games played thus far.
Andrae and Sweden have off today
Brian Zanetti
Zanetti was selected in the fourth round by the Flyers in 2021, and he is a smooth skating left-handed shot defenseman. He is a native of Switzerland, and he has been playing in the OHL for the Peterborough Petes, where he has amassed nine assists in 17 games played.
This young 18-year-old, 6’2, weighing 181 pounds in Zanetti needs time to develop. Like most prospects he has to get bigger and stronger, he’s a bit lanky, and he reminds me of the build of Mason Millman when he was first drafted by the Flyers. However, Zanetti likes to join the rush, and is a smooth skating defenseman.
Brian is a solid two-way defenceman, has good puck skills, and uses his size well to protect the puck. He closes gaps well which is a bonus, but he needs to work on playing the body more as well.
There is some rawness, but he knows what he needs to work on. He has the height as he stands at 6’2, now he just needs to fill in. That will come in time.
Team Switzerland did not get off to the start they wanted, as they dropped their first game of the tournament against Russia in a 4-2 drubbing. Zanetti played a whopping 18:23 in his first WJC game of the tournament. He did not register a point, but Zanetti did skate well.
Switzerland will play the defending champs at 430pm EST today
Elliot Desnoyers
Desnoyers brings a combination of high-end skating and hockey sense that makes him a dangerous player without the puck. He plays a good two-way game, and is rarely out of position. Desnoyers blocks shots, gets into the passing lanes, provides high energy, and simply plays the game the right way. This selection to Canada for the WJC tournament should only help his development.
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He was named Captain of the Mooseheads ahead of their game against the Shawinigan Cataractes earlier in the season. He has tallied 36 points on the season, which is the 17th most points in the “Q”. Desnoyers currently has 16g,20a, and has missed games due to being a Flyers training camp earlier in the season, and of course being in Canada’s pre-selection camp for the past few weeks. Even though, Desnoyers is relegated to the 4th line role he told me on Christmas Eve it’s a dream come true to play for Canada, “It’s unbelievable, it feels like a dream come true.”
Canada will play Austria at 7pm EST tonight
