Vancouver Canucks prospects: 2018 World Juniors tournament report card

Jonah Gadjovich (Team Canada)

7GP: 2 Goals + 1 Assist

The “Man Child” for Team Canada played all seven games for Team Canada on their way to the gold medal. Both his goals of the tournament came against Slovakia in the preliminary round in a 6-0 win.

The good

The biggest concern with Gadjovich is with his skating as he lacks the agility and explosiveness that is so crucial in today’s NHL. Though he was not an elite skater by any means, he did not look slow or clumsy in his skating at this tournament, one in which he was used primarily in a checking role and on the penalty kill.

Take a look at him (#11) skating up the ice and powering past Slovakia’s #8 at the blueline.

He was named the player of the match that game. He will be most remembered for showing great sportsmanship on his second goal against the Czechs when he told his teammates not to celebrate in a lop-sided win.

Another positive for Gadjovich is that he began the tournament on the fourth line and earned a promotion to the third line. Though the entire bottom-six were checking lines, it did give Gadjovich slightly more skilled linemates to play with.

The bad

It’s difficult to point out the bad when a player has just won the gold medal for his country but Gadjovich’s production does beg for more. All three of his points came in the first two preliminary games, meaning he was pointless in the last five games including the medal rounds.

While he wasn’t used in an offensive role and was rarely on the powerplay where he thrives in front of the net, the just one goal and one assist during even-strength play do seem lacking.

That being said, he did score his goals by doing what he does best in front of the net. Can’t fault him for playing to his strengths.

Gadjovich will now return to the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack for the remainder of the season to play with their newly-acquired forward, Brett McKenzie, who is also a Canucks draft pick.