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What to watch for in the World Junior quarter finals

By Jack Baines

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: With the third pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, Tim Stuetzle of Mannheim of Germany is selected by the Ottawa Senators at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: With the third pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, Tim Stuetzle of Mannheim of Germany is selected by the Ottawa Senators at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 25: Jake Sanderson #8 of the United States skates against Russia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 25, 2020, in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – DECEMBER 25: Jake Sanderson #8 of the United States skates against Russia during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place on December 25, 2020, in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

Jake Sanderson, United States

Tournament so far: 4 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 0 PIM, +4

Quarter Final Game: vs. Slovakia, 10:30 pm EST

What to watch for: Can he shine?

The fifth overall pick from 2020 may also be the most divisive. Some see Sanderson as a potential dominant two-way force on the blueline, capable of playing a shut-down role while also being an offensive zone threat who can score and set up plays at will. Others see him as a solid if unremarkable defender being overrated for a mini break-out in his draft year. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, his World Juniors up to this point have been fairly unremarkable. He’s played solid minutes for the Group B winners but only tallied one assist and has been fairly quiet.

Other than their 11-0 win over Austria, however, the United States had to beat three good to very good teams, all with medal hopes this year. While Slovakia is better than Austria, the matchup shouldn’t be too hard for the United States, giving Sanderson a potential chance to show the offensive upside that saw him rocket up draft boards last season.

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