There was a time when the World Junior tournament, which runs through Boxing Day and into the New Year, was one of the highlights of the entire year for Edmonton Oilers fans.
Much of the organization’s history has been on display at the World Juniors. Wayne Gretzky was an emerging star in 1978, playing in Canada’s final game on Jan. 1 of that year. He would play for the Oilers of the WHA in November 1978, just a few months after his WJ appearance. He was not yet 17 when he played for Canada in 1978.
The list of names of those who have played in the tournament and started their careers with the Oilers is substantial and impressive.
This year? Not much was expected.
Two blue
Beau Akey made the Canadian team for this year’s World Junior tournament and that’s a slight surprise. There is no doubting Akey’s skills, specifically exceptional speed and mobility. There’s also no doubting his desire to play for his country.
Akey was a surprise pick for the Canada roster due to injuries and surgeries. As detailed by Josh Brown of the Waterloo Region Record, Akey had two surgeries on his left shoulder last season, effectively wiping out an important development season.
This season, Akey has knocked off the rust and re-established himself as a brilliant puck-moving defenceman in the OHL. The Barrie Colts blueliner is brilliant at jumping into the play and posting four goals and 19 points in 25 games. Those totals came mostly at even strength (4-9-13) as the Colts are often running others with the man advantage.
Akey is undersized (6 feet, 183 pounds) and well down the depth chart for this tournament. His speed and puck skills will make him a strong candidate to earn extra playing time during the World Juniors. He’s ranked No. 4 on the Oilers prospect list at this time.
Paul Fischer is less well-known to Oilers fans but could see more action than Akey at the tournament. He counts speed as a plus but is more of a shutdown type than Akey. He is a reliable player who can close gaps and win battles, there is every chance the American team uses him heavily in important defensive situations. Fischer is ranked No. 15 on the Oilers top-20 prospects list and could improve his signability with a strong tournament.
Past brilliance
The Oilers have a long history of prospects taking on major roles at the World Juniors. Here are just a few names from the past:
1. Wayne Gretzky, Canada
He played in just one tournament, scoring eight goals and 17 points in six games. It was the introduction for many Canadians, and “The Great One” amazed viewers wearing No. 9 and weighing (in his own words) 158 pounds. Even at a junior tournament, he looked slight and ill-prepared to even touch the puck. His outstanding performance in that tournament was just the beginning.
2. Connor McDavid, Canada
There was a great deal of worry about McDavid making the tournament team. Even at a young age, he was overqualified, but an injury (broken hand) on Nov. 11 put his availability in doubt. McDavid did play, scoring 3-8-11 in seven games. His point total would lead the tournament, marking the second (and final) time he would play at the World Juniors.
3. Esa Tikkanen, Finland
Possibly the greatest two-way winger in Oilers history and absolutely the best agitator. He earned the nickname “The Grate One” by interfering, talking, harassing and generally making a nuisance of himself while also delivering outstanding skill. Tikkanen played in 21 WJC games over three winters, going 17-19-36, the highlight being a silver for his country in 1984.
4. Jordan Eberle, Canada
I’ll quote an article from four years ago: “Jordan Eberle is the king of Canada’s world juniors history. His two appearances are embedded in the memories of the nation. Eberle scored 6-7-13 in six games during the 2009 edition as Canada won gold. His tying goal against the Russians in the semifinal game is one of the iconic moments in the history of the tournament and Canada’s hockey experience. Eberle’s recall of the goal has passed into legend. He would score in the shootout to secure the win.” Despite an outstanding NHL career, Eberle is most famous for his work at the World Juniors.
5. Darnell Nurse, Canada
His efforts against Russia in the 2015 gold medal game earned Nurse the player of the game award. In a signature moment that had major impact to Canadian hockey fans, Nurse battling Russians for the puck with the game clock winding down framed the Canadian effort perfectly. Nurse was physically dominant in a heavy game against the Russians.
6. Jesse Puljujarvi, Finland
He was the tournament star in 2016, scoring 5-12-17 to finish first in scoring, win the MVP and lead Finland to the gold medal. His line, with Patrik Laine and Sebastian Aho, formed one of the most dominant trios in WJ history.
7. Jari Kurri, Finland
At the World Juniors in Helsinki, Kurri scored 4-7-11 in five games and led the team to a silver medal. At Lake Placid in February, he represented his country at the Olympics, scoring twice. The Oilers would draft him that summer and Kurri would embark on a brilliant Hall of Fame career in the fall of 1980.
There are many others, like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2013, Taylor Hall in 2010 and Martin Rucinsky in 1991. The Oilers are a team with a rich history at the Christmastime tournament.
Future brilliance?
Oilers fans, and the organization, are focused on different things currently. Winning the Stanley Cup is the only goal that matters, so picks and prospects that will play at this year’s tournament do not belong to the Edmonton organization.
There’s one teenager to keep in mind for next season. Sam O’Reilly is a two-way right-handed centre in the OHL whose range of skill will make him a strong candidate for next year’s team.
For this year, the two young defenders are a pleasant surprise. The next group cluster of Oilers prospects who will thrive at the World Juniors could be a decade away.
Oilers fans are fine with it.
(Photo: Dennis Pajot / Getty Images)
