With the World Junior Summer Showcase now completed, some players stood out more than others. The Rangers first round pick Lias Andersson made their Top Ten players who stood out most.
Lias Andersson is having a fantastic summer. It started out in late June when he was selected by the New York Rangers with their first round pick. After that great moment, Andersson was selected to play for Team Sweden in the World Junior Summer Showcase.
There's some dangerously good talent on the rise. #WJSS https://t.co/xcLzhpl7ET
— NHL (@NHL) August 7, 2017
Andersson registered three goals in five games, including two goals in a loss to Team USA on Wednesday. Adam Kimelman of NHL.COM wrote that while he played a role at the 2017 World Juniors, he has the look of someone who wants to be a leader in 2018. Andersson’s Team Sweden coach, Thomas Moten, had high praise for Andersson saying, “Lias was here last year and he was good but he didn’t make the same impression he does now. Lias is a player that leaves everything on the ice every time. That’s a big key factor for your team. We need the leadership, that kind of work ethic on the ice.”
The next step for Andersson is Training Camp with the Rangers, where he will have an opportunity to steal the last center spot available. If his work ethic continues as it has recently, he will an opportunity to make the team come opening day.
