New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Week 12

While the Albany Devils win streak came to an end, there were a few highlights from the week. Stefan Matteau and Steve Santini will be playing for the U.S. in the World Junior Championship Tournament in Sweden, but Damon Severson didn't make the final cut for team Canada. Keep reading for stats and notes on each prospect.

Albany Notes:

• After a few exciting weeks in Albany with six straight wins, this past weekend was a disappointment with two losses. The first was a 3-2 overtime loss to the Binghamton Senators. Harri Pesonen scored both regulation goals and Kinkaid was in net getting just his fourth loss of the season. The Devils outshot Binghamton 31-29. Here are the highlights:

• In what could have set an Albany record for points in ten straight games, the Devils fell just short, losing 4-3 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the final few minutes of the game. Scott Wedgewood was in net and was dislodged from his crease on the game-winning goal. He made 22 saves. Albany had just 15 shots and got goals from Mike Hoeffel, Harri Pesonen, and Scott Timmins. Here are the highlights:

• Scott Timmins returned to the Albany lineup this week after missing 14 games with an injury. He had a goal and assist in his first weekend back.
• Harri Pesonen had three goals in two games raising his total to five on the season.
• Stefan Matteau was named to U.S. WJC team and will be participating in the tournament in Malmo, Sweden. Their first game is today at 11:30 ET against the Czech Republic. Here is the full schedule.

Other Notes:

• In the WJC-20 D1A tournament, Artur Gavrus lead the tournament in points with five goals and six assists for eleven points. This is the second year in a row he had the most points. His team, Belarus, received bronze while Latvia won silver and Austria earned gold.
• I was very surprised to see Damon Severson was cut from the Canadian WJC team. He was one of the final defenseman let go and was sent back to the Kelowna Rockets where he has been leading the best defensive team and the top team in the WHL all season.
• Ben Johnson had two goals and two assists in an 11-6 win over Saginaw.
• Ryan Kujawinski had two goals (both PPG) and two assists in two games for the Kingston Frontenacs last week.
• There were no college prospects in action due to the holidays.
• Steve Santini made the final cut for the US WJC team. He will be travelling to Sweden along with Matteau and the rest of the team.

Prospect of the Week:

This week goes to both Stefan Matteau and Steve Santini. Both made the final cut for the US WJC team and will be travelling to Malmo, Sweden to help the US try to win gold for the second year in a row. I will have updates on their play throughout the tournament. Congratulations to both.

Do you think Santini and Matteau can help the US WJC team repeat as champions? What do you think the Albany Devils need to do to get back in the win column? Feel free to discuss your thoughts on the prospects in the comments section below. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! Thanks for reading.