Saginaw Spirit well represented at 2017 IIHF U20 World Junior Championships

The Saginaw Spirit were well represented on the opening day of the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-20 World Junior Championships which kicked off with multiple games in Montreal and Toronto today. 

 

Spirit captain Mitchell Stephens (a second round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, 33 overall, in the 2015 NHL draft) was featured on Canada's top line alongside Erie Otters' forward Dylan Strome (a first round pick of the Arizona Coyotes, 3rd overall, in the 2015 NHL draft) who led the Canadian team to a 5-3 first round win with 2 goals over Russia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON tonight. 

 

Earlier in the day, Spirit defenseman Filip Hronek (a second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, 53 overall, in the 2016 NHL draft) and his Czech Republic national team enjoyed a 2-1 opening round win over defending champion Finland when Red Deer Rebels' (WHL) forward Michael Spacek (a fourth round pick of the Winnipeg Jets, 108 overall, in the 2015 NHL draft) scored with just over a minute left to break a 1-1 tie at 18:42 of the third period from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC this afternoon. 

 

Also today, Team USA won its opening round game with a decisive 6-1 victory over Latvia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON this afternoon. Boston University forward Clayton Keller (a first round pick of the Arizona Coyotes, 7th overall, in the 2016 NHL draft) led the way with 2 goals, while Boston College forward Colin White (a first round pick of the Ottawa Senators, 21 overall, in the 2015 NHL draft) had a goal and an assist. Michigan native and London Knights goal tender Tyler Parsons (a second round pick of the Calgary Flames, 54 overall, in the 2016 NHL draft) made 11 saves to pace team USA in goal today. 

 

Hronek and his Czech Republic team will take on Switzerland in a 1 pm game at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC tomorrow afternoon, while Stephens and Team Canada prepares for an 8 pm primetime game vs. Slovakia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON tomorrow night. Team USA has a day off before it takes on Slavakia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON for a 7:30 pm face off Wed. night.