Manor World Juniors: Notes on All Three Kings Prospects in Action on Sunday

[LGKbot]

We’ve reached the interesting part of round robin play at this year’s World Junior Championship. Canada lost a stunner to Latvia in their second game — something many consider to be the biggest upset in WJC history — while Team USA and Czechia are both 2-0 at the moment. And we still have the big New Year’s Eve showdowns coming up.

Group A: Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, USA
Group B: Czechia, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland

The Kings have three prospects participating in this year’s tournament, representing three different countries – Hampton Slukynsky (USA), Carter George (Canada), and Jakub Dvorak (Czechia). Only the latter two are expected to get a healthy amount of game action, as Slukynsky is serving as a backup goalie. However, he did start USA’s second game… more on that in a minute.

Discussion on Slukynsky and Geroge:

#GoKingsGo goalie prospect Carter George makes his #WorldJuniors debut at 4:30pm on NHL Network, Canada vs Finland.

Video clip below is from recent LAK prospect report. See full episode of In the Pipeline presented by SoCalGas here In The Pipeline - December 2024 | Los Angeles Kings pic.twitter.com/zVFrhGcNj0

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 27, 2024

From LAKings.com most recent prospect report on Dvorak:

Perhaps no other prospect mentioned here has put on as many jerseys over the past 18 months. Dvorak played pro hockey in his native Czechia, spent time in the WHL, suited up for the Ontario Reign and earlier this week joined his home country for the upcoming World Juniors. Standing 6-foot-5, the Kings used their top pick in 2023 (54th overall) to select Dvorak. He’s one of a handful of left-shot rearguards vying to soar up the depth chart for a possible call-up to the NHL someday. After seeing action on Ontario’s second or third pair most nights this season, and playing 14 of the team’s 20 games, Dvorak is expected to be rewarded with significant ice time for Czechia at the WJC. He’s more of a shutdown defender, so don’t expect a lot of points. As with almost any player this tall, his development will take time and there’s no need to rush things.

For those wanting a quick update on the WJC, here’s an abridged version of the action thus far, as well as a look ahead to the next 72 hours:

Round Robin Schedule​

Thursday, Dec. 26
Sweden 5, Slovakia 2
USA 10, Germany 4 *
Czechia 5, Switzerland 1
Canada 4, Finland 0

* Slukynsky did not play

#GoKingsGo prospect Jakub Dvorak played 17:01 and recorded one SOG during Czechia's 5-1 victory over Switzerland at the #WorldJuniors today.

They have an off day tomorrow and will play again Saturday.

IIHF pic.twitter.com/4qbmXXRAZi

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 27, 2024

#GoKingsGo prospect Carter George earned a 4-0 shutout for Canada today at the #WorldJuniors (and was named Player of the Game).

After facing only 11 SOG over 40 min, George had to lock it down during a strong push by Finland, including 20 SOG in P3 and a 6-on-4 power.

IIHF pic.twitter.com/Kja1D5SYGW

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 27, 2024

Friday, Dec. 27
Slovakia 2, Switzerland 1
Finland 3, Germany 1
Sweden 8, Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 3, Canada 2 *

* George did not play

Saturday, Dec. 28
Czechia 14, Kazakhstan 2
USA 5, Latvia 1

Dvorak scored a goal and was plus-4 with 12:00 TOI

#GoKingsGo prospect Hampton Slukynsky and Team USA earn a 5-1 victory at #WorldJuniors

They'll play Finland tomorrow, then a day off Monday. The big one is NYE vs. Canada. Playoffs start Jan 2.

IIHF pic.twitter.com/OIjadsKYB5

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 28, 2024

Upcoming Round Robin Games​

(all times listed are Pacific)

Sunday, Dec. 29
Switzerland vs. Sweden – 9:00 am
USA vs. Finland – 11:30 am
Czechia vs. Slovakia – 2:00 pm
Canada vs. Germany – 4:30 pm *

*George will be back in goal and is expected to remain as Canada’s starter for the balance of games

Monday, Dec. 30
Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan – 10:00 am
Germany vs. Latvia – 12:30 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 31
Kazakhstan vs. Switzerland – 9:00 am
Finland vs. Latvia – 11:30 am
Sweden vs. Czechia – 2:00 pm
Canada vs. USA 4:30 pm

Playoff Schedule​

Thursday, Jan. 2
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 9:00 am
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 11:30 am
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 2:00 pm
Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD – 4:30 pm

Saturday, Jan. 4
Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD – 12:30 pm
Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD – 4:30 pm

Sunday, Jan. 5
Bronze medal: TBD vs. TBD – 12:30 pm
Gold medal: TBD vs. TBD – 4:30 pm

MORE LA KINGS NEWS:

December 2024 – Kings Prospect Report on LAKings.com

Follow @mayorNHL





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