World Junior Championship Preview: Group A

Instead of the usual predictions, for the World Juniors we will break it into three parts, one for each group plus a predictions post. Here is the preview for Group A.

Note: Most data from the IIHF website.

Rosters

Czech Republic
Goalies: Patrik Bartosak (Red Deer Rebels), Jan Lukas (HC Olomouc), Matej Machovsky (Brampton Battalion)
Defense: Marek Hrbas (Kamloops Blazers), Stepan Jenik (Karpat Oulu), David Musil (Edmonton Oil Kings), Tomas Pavelka (PEI Rockets), Petr Sidlik (Victoriaville Tigres), Jan Stencel (Vitkovice Ostrava), Patrik Urbanec (HC Zlin)
Forwards: Matej Beran (PEI Rockets), Petr Beranek (Orli Znojmo), Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers), Martin Frk (Halifax Mooseheads), Tomas Hertl (Slavia Praha), Tomas Hyka (Gatineau Olympiques), Dmitrij Jaskin (Moncton Wildcats), Petr Koblasa (HC Karlovy Vary), Erik Nemec (Vitkovice Ostrava), Lukas Sedlak (Chicoutimi Sagueneens), Michal Svihalek (HC Ceske Budejovice), Jakub Vrana (Linkopings HC)

Finland
Goalies: Janne Juvonen (Pelicans Lahti), Joonas Korpisalo (Jokerit Helsinki), Eetu Laurikainen (Swift Current Broncos)
Defense: Henri Auvinen (JYP Jyvaskyla), Petteri Lindbohm (Jokerit Helsinki), Olli Maata (London Knights), Ville Pokka (Karpat Oulu), Juuso Riikola (KalPa Kuopio), Rasmus Ristolainen (TPS Turku), Juuso Vainio (HPK Hameenlinna)
Forwards: Miro Aaltonen (Espoo Blues), Joel Armia (Assat Pori), Aleksander Barkov (Tappara Tampere), Markus Granlund (HIFK Helsinki), Ville Jarvelainen (Peliitat Heinola), Matti Lamberg (Jokerit Helsinki), Artturi Lehkonen (KalPa Kuopio), Robert Leino (HPK Hameenlinna), Thomas Nykopp (HIFK Helsinki), Saku Salminen (Jokerit Helsinki), Miikka Salomaki (Karpat Oulu), Teuvo Teravainen (Jokerit Helsinki)

Latvia
Goalies: Elvis Merzlikins (HC Lugano), Vadims Miscuks (Liepajas Metalurgs), Ivars Punnenovs (Rapperswil-Jona Lakers)
Defense: Edmunds Augstkains (HK Riga), Kriss Lipsbergs (HK Riga), Kristaps Nimanis (Red Ducks Vassa), Rinalds Rosinskis (Prince George Cougars), Edgars Siksna (Liepajas Metalurgs), Patriks Skuratovs (HK Riga), Pauls Zvirbulis (HK Riga)
Forwards: Toms Andersons (SC Bern), Teodors Blugers (Minnesota State University Mankato), Rihards Bukarts (HK Riga), Nikolajs Jeslisejevs (HK Riga), Nikita Jevpalovs (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada), Edgars Kulda (Edmonton Oil Kings), Edgars Kurmis (HK Riga), Arturs Kuzmenkovs (Leipajas Metalurgs), Roberts Lipsbergs (Seattle Thunderbirds), Karlis Ozolins (Liepajas Metalurgs), Lauris Rancevs (HK Riga), Arturs Sevcenko (HK Riga), Andris Siksnis (HK Riga)

Sweden
Goalies: Oscar Dansk (Erie Otters), Joel Lassinantti (Lulea HF), Niklas Lundstrom (AIK Stockholm)
Defense: Linus Arnesson (Djurgarden Stockholm), Rasmus Bengtsson (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Christian Djoos (Brynas Gavle), Emil Djuse (Sodertalje SK), Tom Nilsson (Mora IK), Mikael Vikstrand (Mora IK)
Forwards: Viktor Arvidsson (Skelleftea AIK), Jeremy Boyce Rotevall (Timra IK), Sebastian Collberg (Frolunda Gothenburg), Jacob de la Rose (Leksands IF), Filip Forsberg (Leksands IF), William Karlsson (HV71 Jonkoping), Elias Lindholm (Brynas Gavle), Emil Molin (Brynas Gavle), Rickard Rakell (Plymouth Whalers), Viktor Rask (Calgary Hitmen), Filip Sandberg (HV71 Jonkoping), Nick Sorensen (Quebec Remparts), Alexander Wennberg (Djurgardens Stockholm)

Switzerland
Goalies: Luca Boltshauser (Farjestad Karlstad), Robin Kuonen (EV Zug), Melvin Nyffeler (GCK Lions Zurich)
Defense: Cedric Hachler (GCK Lions Zurich), Samuel Guerra (HC Davos), Dean Kukan (Tingsryds AIF), Christian Marti (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada)
Forwards: Sven Andrighetto (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), Lukas Balmelli (Drummondville Voltigeurs), Alessio Bertaggia (Brandon Wheat Kings), Christoph Bertschy (SC Bern), Mike Kunzle (GCK Lions Zurich), Robin Leone (Kloten Flyers), Lino Martschini (EV Zug), Jan Neuenschwander (HC Davos), Tanner Richard (Guelph Storm), Lukas Sieber (HC Davos), Dario Simion (HC Lugano), Sandro Zangger (GCK Lions Zurich)

Schedule

December 26
Latvia vs. Finland
Czech Republic vs. Sweden

December 27
Switzerland vs. Latvia

December 28
Finland vs. Czech Republic
Sweden vs. Switzerland

December 29
Latvia vs. Sweden

December 30
Finland vs. Switzerland
Czech Republic vs. Latvia

December 31
Switzerland vs. Czech Republic
Sweden vs. Finland

Pre-Tournament Prognosis

Czech Republic: Probably because I see more Czech players (hello Frk) then Swiss, I believe the Czechs will make it through qualifying, but not much further.

Finland: Brings to the tournament probably the strongest team it has had in years. 2013 draft-eligible Aleksander Barkov should help carry this team to a medal finish. They also have a Granlund, so they are in good hands.

Latvia: Have fun in the Relegation Round.

Sweden: Last year's Gold medalist will have there work cut out for them this time around, but they are still strong enough to earn a medal. A repeat of last year isn't as likely though.

Switzerland: This team does not look as good as the Niederreiter-led teams of yesteryear. They will struggle to avoid the Relegation Round. However, if they do end up there, then the Swiss will have no problem winning that group and avoid playing in Division I.