Rangers Prospects Dominant in World Juniors

In the United States 12-1 victory over Latvia on Tuesday evening, New York Rangers prospects Chris Kreider, 18, Derek Stepan, 19, and Ryan Bourque, 18, all displayed why they deserved to be there. First off, 2009 First Round Drat Pick Kreider registered a hat-trick with a goal in each period of the game. The third came on an awarded penalty shot with just over a minute remaining in regulation, when the speedy prospect came in and put a wrister past the Latvia goaltender blocker-side. Kreider is currently tied for tournament-lead in goals scored with four.

Derek Stepan, team USA Captain, notched two third period goals as well as two assists in the game. In fact, the two assists came off of Kreider goals; nice to see future Rangers showing chemistry before they even hit the NHL. Stepan leads the team in points with eight. As for Ryan Bourque, he recorded his second assist of the tourney, but was one of the better skaters out there for the United States. Ryan had his widely-known father, Ray, in attendance as well.

Watching this tournament has given myself, as well as many other Rangers fans, a fantastic opportunity to physically view what these players bring to the table. You can read all you want and listen to all of these "expert" opinions, but until you actually watch these individuals, it is impossible to asses their talent. Well let me tell you this, these youngsters that are Ranger property hold a boatload of talent and have been displaying it on a consistent basis throughout the tournament.

Ryan Bourque reminds me of current Blueshirt Ryan Callahan. This is because of his work ethic and hustle. It is suspected that Bourque has been playing with a minor injury, so he has not been one-hundred percent over the past week, but you can see the trust the coaching staff has in him in different situations, much like John Tortorella does with Callahan. The NHL Network broadcasters were talking often about how great Bourque is on the penalty-kill, and how he is out there for pretty much every one.

Derek Stepan just simply has it all. The kid can pass, he can score, and has an unbelievable set of hands. It says a lot when Stepan enters the team for the first time this year and is named Captain over players that are returning to the team from last year. Some of the moves Derek puts on the opposing defensemen are jaw-dropping, almost like Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings. Obviously not of the same caliber, but that is who he looks like when entering the zone. Stepan buried his third period rebound tally through his legs, a nice way to finish off what they call a "garbage goal".

Chris Kreider's speed is clearly an advantage to him, and the best part about it is that he knows how to use it. There are players, even in the National Hockey League, who have an advantage over others, but they just do not have the correct mentality and do not use the talent as they should. That is not the case with Kreider, who looks like a lightning bolt out there. I noticed that he is almost always the first one in on the forecheck, always the first forward back on the backcheck, and gets to the open space on the ice rather quickly. Kreider, in an 8-1 game, was mad at himself for allowing his check to get a shot off the rush. These sort of actions prove how mature these young prospects are, and how well they are being taught where they are playing, in Kreider's case, College Hockey with Boston College.

The ultimate test will come on New Year's Eve when Team USA and Team Canada clash for a first place showdown. Both of these teams have completely destroyed everyone in their path, which is usually the case in these tournaments, but this specific game will not be played that way. Both clubs hold a lot of young talent and some determined players. We will really get to see what Bourque, Stepan, and Kredier have when they are put to the test against their biggest enemies on Thursday.

Also, Blueshirt Banter will be interviewing Chris Kreider today at 1:30 p.m. on their radio show; a must listen for Ranger fans. You can tune in and listen at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blueshirt-banter.
(Image courtesy of AP Photo)