The 2018 World Junior Championships are coming up very soon and teams are starting to pick their teams. Russia announced that they invited 15 forwards, 10 defenseman, and three goalies to their Selection Camp Roster. This is not the final roster though, as it will have to be trimmed down to 23 players by the time the tournament begins. Russia often goes with three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 12 forwards in this tournament.
Some standout names include New Jersey Devils prospects Yegor Zaitsev and Mikhail Maltsev; Chicago Blackhawks prospects Andrei Altybarmakyan and Artur Kayumov; and 2018 NHL Draft eligible Vitali Kravtsov.
The team has stated that they will add some North American based players to the squad once they cross the pond to play in the tournament. Potential names include 2018 NHL Draft eligible Andrei Svechnikov, Edmonton Oilers prospect Dmitri Samorukov, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Vitalii Abramov, Philadelphia Flyers prospect German Rubtsov, and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Alexey Lipanov.
Russia won bronze last year. They open this year’s tournament when they face the Czech Republic on Tuesday, December 26th.
World Juniors: Team Russia Selection Camp Roster Announced
Goaltenders:
Ivan Konovalov (Lokomotiv)
Alexei Melnichuk (SKA-Neva)
Vladislav Sukhachyov (Chelmet)
Defenseman
Dmitry Alexeev (Chelmet)
Alexander Shepelev (Chelmet)
Grigory Dronov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk)
Anatoly Elizarov (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod)
Yegor Zaitsev (Dynamo Moscow)
Nikita Makeev (CSKA Moscow)
Artyom Maltsev (HC Sochi)
Alexander Kalinin (Lokomotiv)
Nikolai Knyzhov (SKA-Neva)
Vladislav Syomin (SKA-Neva)
Forwards
Andrei Altybarmakyan (SKA-Neva)
Mikhail Maltsev (SKA-Neva)
Alexei Polodyan (SKA-Neva)
Danil Veryaev (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod)
Grigory Ivanov (Lokomotiv)
Artur Kayumov (Lokomotiv)
Ivan Romanov (Lokomotiv)
Artyom Manukyan (Avangard Omsk)
Danila Moiseev (Russkie Vityazi Chekhov)
Vitaly Kravtsov (Traktor Chelyabinsk)
Marsel Sholokhov (Traktor Chelyabinsk)
Maxim Rasseykin (Avtomobilist)
Damir Rakhimullin (Lada)
Maxim Tsyplakov (Spartak Moscow)
Pavel Shen (Ugra Khanty-Mansiysk)
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
MOSCOW, RUSSIA SEPTEMBER 8, 2017: Dynamo Moscow’s Yegor Zaitsev (L) and CSKA Moscow’s Kirill Petrov in their 2017/2018 Kontinental Hockey League Regular Season ice hockey match at CSKA Arena. CSKA Moscow won 3-1. Yelena Rusko/TASS (Photo by Yelena RuskoTASS via Getty Images)
