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That’s Wild
- Minnesota Wild prospect Matt Boldy and his teammates on Team USA have won the gold medal at this year’s World Junior Championship. Heading into the final, all we heard about was Canada’s dominance through the tournament, but it all comes to one single game and the two teams did not face each other until that last game.
After a fast start by the United States, the goal was coming and it eventually did, coming off the stick of Los Angeles Kings prospect Alex Turcotte. Just minutes into the second period, Anaheim Ducks top prospect Trevor Zegras — later crowned tournament MVP — was able to pull off a nifty move at the side of the net to double his team’s lead. No more goals were scored as Florida Panthers’ Spencer Knight led the way with a shutout.
Boldy finished the tournament with five goals and seven points through seven games.
- Away from the teenage tournament, the Wild training camp has started up and a couple of established players have taken a liking to Kirill Kaprizov and are making sure he knows the ropes. [Hockey Wilderness]
- In our look around the new division, we looked at the Colorado Avalanche and how damn good they are. [Hockey Wilderness]
Off the trail...
- The NHL have teamed up with some sponsors for their four divisions. It is unclear whether this will still be a thing past this COVID-riddled season — similarly to the helmet ads — but for now, the league needs to create some dollars out of thin air due to the lack of fans, so some corporations on a logo of divisions it is.
The @NHL partners with @Discover, @Honda, @MassMutual and @Scotiabank to name divisions for the 2020-21 NHL season. https://t.co/gwBySMQgis pic.twitter.com/dV2io6Rimv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 5, 2021
- After 11 years between the Nashville Predators and the Avalanche, Colin Wilson has decided to retire due to ongoing injury concern. [NHLPA]
- Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds — that’s going to take a while to get used to — has always been known as a tough opponent. Well, now you get to hear it directly from his teammates. [The Athletic]
- John Muckler, a hockey lifer that was the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and Minnesota North Stars, as well as the GM of the Ottawa Senators at one point, died at the age of 86. [Die By The Blade]