A closer look at each of the 20 teams participating at the 2021 World Selects Trophy.
The ‘20 in 20’ series takes a deep dive into each of the 20 teams competing at the historic World Selects Trophy in Nashville, Tennessee on June 28th. This 15U tournament is set to feature the best players in the age group from around the world with players from the U.S., Canada and Europe. Today, we take a closer look at DraftDay Black.
DRAFTDAY BLACK
The reigning and defending World Selects champion, DraftDay Black won the 2019 title with the help of top 2004 prospects like Rutger McGroarty and Lane Hutson. Both have gone on to play for the U.S. National Team Development Program, and DraftDay looks towards its next crop of rising stars for the 2021 event. If successful, the team could be the first in history to win back-to-back North American 15U championships.
It’ll be a tall task, but DraftDay has certainly reloaded with the ‘06 age group. Lane’s younger brother Cole Hutson is a top player in his own right after playing last winter with the North Jersey Avalanche. Minnesota’s Max Plante and L.A. Jr. Kings’ Colin Frank are considered top forwards in the birth year as well, so DD-Black is set to be fueled by a high-powered offense, again.
Vladi Bryzgalov is widely considered the top goaltender in the U.S., posting stellar numbers during his 14U season for the New Jersey Colonials. Pairing lights out goaltending with a potent offense, and DraftDay Black will be hard to keep up with.
DraftDay has been a regular participant in the World Selects tournament series in both North America and abroad, boasting such prospects as Matthew Savoie (2004) and Conor Bedard (2005), among many others.This year, the program will put two teams into the tournament field with a Black and a Red team.
WHH is providing exclusive coverage of the 2021 World Selects Trophy. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for the latest news regarding the international tournament later this month.
