Entering its fifth year, the profile of the World Junior A Challenge continues to grow, as evidenced by the record 27 alumni that were selected during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft last Friday and Saturday at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
The list included 20 alumni of the 2009 WJAC in Summerside, P.E.I., six players from the 2008 tournament in Camrose, Alta., and one from the 2007 event in Trail, B.C.
The United States led the way with eight players drafted, including seven members of its 2009 gold medal-winning team, while Sweden (7), Canada West (5), Russia (5) and Canada East (2) had players selected.
A record four World Junior A Challenge alumni were first-rounders in L.A., led by Alexander Burmistrov, who played for Russia at the 2008 WJAC and was selected eighth overall by Atlanta. Jaden Schwartz (Canada West, 2009 – St. Louis, 14th overall), Vladimir Tarasenko (Russia, 2008 – St. Louis, 16th overall) and Beau Bennett (United States, 2009 – Pittsburgh, 20th overall) also heard their names called Friday night.
Former WJAC Participants selected at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft:
Alexander Burmistrov – Russia (2008) – Round 1, Pick 8 by Atlanta
Jaden Schwartz – Canada West (2008) – Round 1, Pick 14 by St. Louis
Vladimir Tarasenko – Russia (2008) – Round 1, Pick 16 by St. Louis
Beau Bennett – United States (2009) – Round 1, Pick 20 by Pittsburgh
Ludvig Rensfeldt – Sweden (2009) – Round 2, Pick 35 by Chicago
Patrik Nemeth – Sweden (2009) – Round 2, Pick 41 by Dallas
Connor Brickley – United States (2009) – Round 2, Pick 50 by Florida
Calle Jarnkrok – Sweden (2009) – Round 2, Pick 51 by Detroit
Johan Larsson – Sweden (2009) – Round 2, Pick 56 by Minnesota
Kiril Kabanov – Russia (2008) – Round 3, Pick 65 by New York Islanders
Alex Guptill – Canada East (2009) – Round 3, Pick 77 by Dallas
Julian Melchiori – Canada East (2009) – Round 3, Pick 87 by Atlanta
Joakim Nordstrom – Sweden (2009) – Round 3, Pick 90 by Chicago
Ben Gallacher – Canada West (2009) – Round 4, Pick 93 by Florida
Petter Granberg – Sweden (2009) – Round 4, Pick 116 by Toronto
Kevin Gravel – United States (2009) – Round 5, Pick 148 by Los Angeles
Mike Parks – United States (2009) – Round 5, Pick 149 by Philadelphia
Brendan O'Donnell – Canada West (2009) – Round 6, Pick
Jesper Fasth – Sweden (2009) – Round 6, Pick 157 by New York Rangers
Maxim Kitsyn – Russia (2008) – Round 6, Pick 158 by Los Angeles
Kevin Lind – United States (2009) – Round 6, Pick 177 by Anaheim
Nick Mattson – United States (2009) – Round 6, Pick 180 by Chicago
Lee Moffie – United States (2008) – Round 7, Pick 188 by San Jose
Maxim Chudinov – Russia (2007) – Round 7, Pick 195 by Boston
Peter Stoykewych – Canada West (2009) – Round 7, Pick 199 by Atlanta
Chris Crane – United States (2009) – Round 7, Pick 200 by San Jose
Kellen Jones – Canada West (2009) – Round 7, Pick 202 by Edmonton
