2019 Minnesota Wild first round draft pick, Matt Boldy, has continues his torrid play into the World Juniors, playing for team USA. The 19 year old winger netted the hattrick in the US 11-0 victory on Saturday night. He also was a standout in the opening 5-3 loss against Russia.
Boldy has taken his 2019 experience, where he was cut from the US squad prior to last year's tournament, and used it to make himself a better player both mentally and physically. He turned his game around last season at Boston College following the WJC and this year he has been one of college hockey's best through the early part of the current season.
2020 first rounder, Marco Rossi, has looked very good despite his team being over matched in each of their first two contests against the Americans and the Swedes.
Marat Khusnutdinov had an assist in Russia's victory over the US and has been a favorite of Russian head coach, Igor Larionov. Khusnutdinov was the centerpiece of the Luke Kunin trade that also saw the Wild add Nick Bonino. Khusnutdinov is a slick offensive player who plays a comlete 200 foot game. He is a real gem in the Wild organization which is quickly becoming a source of strength.
The WJC is always a highlight of the hockey season, but this year it is accentuated as it gives us all a great warmup for the NHL season which is just over two weeks away.. The Wild are well represented in the WJC by the aforementioned Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi, Marat Khusnutdinov along with his Russian teammate Vladislav Firstov and Czech forward. Pavel Novak.