Top prospects impress at Ivan Hlinka Tournament

There's a week in August that's a scout's dream. It's the Ivan Hlinka Tournament, otherwise known as the U18 World Cup. It's a great chance to see some of the top prospects for the 2012 and 2013 drafts - all players are 1994-born. This year's tournament, taking place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, began on August 8.

Friday's semifinals will feature Russia against Canada and Sweden against Finland. Sweden seems a shoo-in for the final with the best record of the tournament at a perfect 3-0, and is looking to ruin Canada's hopes for a fourth consecutive gold medal for the tournament. Sweden started quickly, handing Canada a disappointing 5-1 loss on the first day of competition.

TSN scout Craig Button pointed out Swedish forward Filip Forsberg as someone to watch. The shifty player (no relation to Peter) scored a goal in the game against Canada, and Kitchener Rangers coach (and Team Canada U18 coach) Steve Spott compared Forsberg's skills to those of Gabriel Landeskog.

It's a fair comparison, watching him play. He's a gritty power forward, and competes hard. "I think I'm a great goal-scorer," Forsberg told The Hockey News in July. "Great shot, great playmaker." With Sweden facing Finland in the semifinal Friday, Forsberg is a player that the Finns should be afraid of.

Sweden leads Group A and tournament, but Russia leads Group B with two wins and one overtime loss to the United States. After the surprising World Juniors gold medal game in January that sent Canada home with silver and Russia home victorious, this semifinal could be an interesting battle.

Like Sweden, Team Russia too possesses a top 2012 prospect in Mikhail Grigorenko. The skilled center is heading to North America next season from the KHL's CSKA Moscow after being selected second overall by the Quebec Remparts in June's CHL Import Draft.

In his second Ivan Hlinka Tournament, Grigorenko is continuing to excite scouts. In three games, he has four assists and is a dangerous playmaker. His accomplishments have earned him comparisons to Evgeni Malkin, another talented Russian center. The Canadian defensive corps will have their hands full with Grigorenko on the ice.

That responsibility rests on Canadian captain Mathew Dumba's shoulders. Last year, the defenseman was named WHL's Rookie of the Year after wrapping up his first season with the Red Deer Rebels. Dumba might have a leg-up on the rest of the Canadian team's defense - after spending a season with number one draft choice Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, he's used to facing the most skilled goalscorers in Canada. He's not afraid to get into the play himself - he scored a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 6-1 rout over the Czech Republic.

Gold and bronze medal games will be played on Saturday. As for Friday's relegation rounds, USA will face the Czech Republic to battle for 5th place, and Switzerland will play Slovakia to determine the 7th and 8th place teams.