U16 National team player in 2004. Then what happened?

In February 2004 88 of the most talented U16 players of Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden gathered in Kramfors (Sweden) to play a 4-nation tournament. All of them were dreaming of a future as a super star, but for how many did it come true?

As a matter of fact only five of these 88 players have played in NHL. Three Russians (Semen Varlamov [picture], Vladimir Zharkov and Alexander Vasyunov), one Czech (Jakub Voracek) and one Swede (Patrik Berglund).

Fifteen of the players were drafted by NHL clubs. Twenty-six of them got to play the World U20 Championship.

Eighteen of the now 24-years old players have already retired. Two have passed away. Russia's Marat Kalimulin and Alexander Vasyunov died in the tragic Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash in September last year.

Here you can see how may of the players made it to the World U18 or U20 Championships. How many were drafted? How many made it to the NHL? How many are now retired?

WJC U18	11	7	7	10
WJC U20	9	4	5	8
Drafted	4	3	4	4
NHL	1	0	3	1
Retired	3	5	6	4

Here we take a look at each of the players to see now their careers developed:

Czech Republic

Goalies
Lukas Danecek
Danecek was back-up goalie for one game in the 2008 World Juniors. He has played a few games in Extraliga for Trinec but now plays in 1.liga for Havirov.

Lukas Cikanek
Cikanek has mostly been back-up goalie for Kladno in Extraliga. He has also played in 1.liga for Chomutov, Berounsti Medvedi and Kadan.

Defensemen
Bohdan Visnak
Visnak played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He never made in to Extraliga and now plays in the French second league for Montpellier.

Patrik Prokop
Prokop played both the U18 and U20 World Championships. He never played in Extraliga but he played three seasons in QMJHL and one in ECHL. The last two seasons he has played with Cracovia in the Polish league.

David Rangl
Rangl has played a half season with Trinec in Extraliga. Besides that he has played his entire career in 1.liga.

Ondrej Predota
Predota never made it higher than 2.liga. Last season he played with Vimperk in the Czech fourth league.

David Vajda
Vajda has only played in 1.liga and 2.liga as a senior.

Antonin Drbohlav
Drbohlav played the World U18 Championship but has spent his entire career in 2.liga.

Jiri Suchy
Suchy played the World U20 Championship twice; in 2007 and 2008. He has played in both Czech and Slovak Extraliga but now plays in 1.liga.

Jakub Korinek
Korinek has as a senior only played in 2.liga and Slovak 1.liga.

Forwards
Roman Stasa
Stasa never made it higher than 2.liga and is now retired.

Michal Kazatel
Kazatel played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He played 46 games in Extraliga as a junior but has since then only played in 1.liga and 2.liga.

Pavel Kubena
Kubena played the U18 and U20 World Championships. He has played more than 100 games in Extraliga for Karlovy Vary but will next season play for Kosice in the Slovak league.

Martin Latal
Latal played the U18 and U20 World Championships. He was drafted by Phoenix in the fifth round in 2006 but never made it to the NHL. He played two seasons in QMJHL and has since that played in Extraliga with Sparta Praha and Kladno.

Ondrej Roman
Roman was only 15 years old in 2004. We played the World U18 Championship twice; in 2006 and 2007. He also played the U20 Championship in 2009 scoring 8 points. He was drafted by Dallas in the fifth round 2007. He never played in NHL but spent the last two seasons in the AHL. For next season he will return to Vitkovice to play in Extraliga.

Vladimir Ruzicka
Ruzicka was just like Roman born in 1989 and played two World U18 Championships and one U20 in 2009. He was drafted by Phoenix in the fourth round 2007 but never played in North America. He has spent his entire career with Slavia Praha in Extraliga.

Jakub Sklenar
Sklenar played the World U18 and U20 Championships. He has been faithful to Slavia Praha his entire career. He has played more than 200 games in Extraliga.

Michal Kasalik
Kasalik retired in 2008 after only a few games in 2-liga.

Martin Bartos
Bartos played the World U18 Championship in 2006 scoring three goals. He never played in Extraliga, but mostly 1.liga. Last season he played in Austrian Nationalliga.

David Stieler
After two seasons in QMJHL Stieler has played for Kladno and Mlada Boleslav in Extraliga.

Jakub Voracek
The only player of this Czech U16 team that made it to NHL is Voracek. He played the World U18 Championship twice and the World U20 Championship twice. He has also played the World Championship in 2010 and 2011. He was drafted as number 7 overall by Columbus in 2007. After two seasons in QMJHL he has played four seasons in the NHL. Three with Columbus and one with Philadelphia. In 319 NHL games he has scored 183 points.

Martin Skaloud
Skaloud has retired after a few seasons in 2.liga.

Finland

Goalies
Niko Hovinen
Hovinen was drafted by Minnesota Wild in the fifth round 2006 but never played in North America. He has played in SM-Liiga with Jokerit and Pelicans. In 2012 he played 3 games in Euro Hockey Tour for Finland.

Antti Rautiola
Rautiola has mostly played in the Finnish second league Mestis, but has also played in SM-Liiga for Kärpät and Pelicans.

Defensemen
Markus Himanka
Himanka played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He never made it to SM-Liiga. He has played in Mestis and the Finnish third league - Suomi-Sarja.

Joonas Jalvanti
Jalvanti played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He played the World U20 Championship in both 2007 and 2008. He has spent his entire career with Pelicans in SM-Liiga but now moves to Espoo Blues.

Joni Korhonen
Korhonen retired after his junior years.

Miika Kukkonen
Kukkonen played 8 games with KalPa's U20 team in 2006/07 and then retired.

Henri Molin
As a senior Molin has only played in Suomi-Sarja and II Divisioona.

Juha-Petteri Purolinna
Purolinna played the World Juniors in 2008. He has played a few SM-Liiga games with HIFK and Lukko but has mostly played in Mestis.

Antti Savolainen
Savolainen played a few SM-Liiga games with Ilves as a junior. The last few seasons he has spent with Hokki Kajaani in Mestis.

Robert Tenhunen
Tenhunen played junior hockey with HIFK and then retired.

Forwards
Henrik Skouen
Skouen who also is a Norwegian citizen played the World U18 Championship for Norway in 2006 and then retired.

Juhani Jasu
Jaso played the World U18 Championship. In 2012 he played in EHT for Finland. He has spent his entire career at Lukko Rauma playing more than 200 games in SM-Liiga.

Jan-Mikael Juutilainen
Juutilainen played both the World U18 and U20 Championships. In 2006 he was drafted by Chicago Blackhawks. He played his last two junior years in USHL. He has then played for Jokerit and HPK in SM-Liiga. Next season he will play in Mestis with KooKoo.

Sami Nurmenniemi
Nurmenniemi has played 20 games in Mestis. He plays now in the third league with Ahmat Haukipudas.

Robert Nyholm
Nyholm played the World U18 Championship in 2005 and 2006.He was drafted by Columbus in round 5 2006. He has played four seasons with HIFK in SM-Liiga.

Jaakko Pellinen
Until now Pellinen has played with Ilves in SM-Liiga but will 2012/13 play in Mestis with LeKi.

Juho Pohjoismäki
After his junior years with Tappara, Pohjoismäki has played with LeKi. One season in Suomi-Sarja, but the last three years in II Divisioona.

Timo Rinne
Rinne has played 6 games in SM-Liiga with Jokerit. He is now retired.

Jani Savolainen
Savolainen played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He has played 5 games in SM-Liiga for KalPa but besides that he has spent his entire career in Mestis with Jokipojat, Hokki and now Jukurit.

Tomi Ståhlhammar
Ståhlhammar has played in SM-Liiga with Espoo and Kärpät. He has also played in Mestis with K-Laser. As a junior he played one season in USHL.

Pasi Tuominen
Tuominen played 10 games in Mestis. He has also played in the Danish league and a season in the Swedish 4th league. Last season he played with KOOVEE in Suomi-Sarja.

Jiri Veistola
Veistola has played 25 SM-Liiga games for Jokerit but has since then played in Mestis for three seasons.

Russia

Goalies
Semen Varlamov
Varlamov became a very successful goalie. He played the World U18 Championship twice and the World U20 Championship twice. He played the World Championship 2010 and 2012 (gold medal). In the 2010 Olympics he was a back-up goalie behind Nabokov and Bryzgalov. After two seasons with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Russian league he moved to USA to play in NHL. He played three seasons for Washington Capitals that drafted him in the first round. Last season he played 53 games for Colorado Avalanche.

Nikita Davydov
Davydov has mostly played in the Russian second league but played 17 games for Salavat in KHL this season.

Defensemen
Marat Kalimulin
Kalimulin was one of two players of this team that died in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash September 7th 2011. He played the World Juniors in 2008. He had played two KHL seasons, one for Lada and one for Lokomotiv, before he passed away.

Ivan Boldyrev
Boldyrev has mostly played in Vysshaya liga but he has also played 16 KHL games for Salavat.

Pavel Doronin
Doronin played both the World U18 and U20 Championships. He has played one KHL game for Salavat and now plays for Toros of VHL.

Denis Davydov
Denis Davydov played one season in Vysshaya liga and has now retired.

Vasily Vinogradov
Vinogradov has played about 100 games in Vysshaya liga. He has also played 7 games for Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga. After a few seasons with Jindrichuv Hradec in the Czech 2.liga he is now retired.

Artur Kutdusov
Kutdusov plays in the Russian third league (RHL) for Chelny. He has played one game in the Russian Superleague for Salavat in 2008.

Oleg Yeliseev
Yesliseev has played for five seasons in Vysshaya liga. The last season for Ryazan.

Alexei Ishmametiev
Ishmametiev has played 23 KHL games for Barys Astana. Before that he has also played 9 games for MVD Balashikha in the Russian Superleague.

Forwards
Oleg Glebov
Glebov played two seasons in Vysshaya Liga but has now retired.

Makar Voloshin
Voloshin played 22 games in Vysshaya liga 2007/08 for CSK VVS Samara and then retired.

Alexander Ryabev
Ryabev played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He has played one KHL game and 32 games in the Russian Superleague for Lokomotiv. Now he plays for Sarov in VHL.

Andrei Popov
Popov played the World U18 Championship and was drafted by Philadelphia in the seventh round 2006. He has now played four KHL seasons with Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Dmitry Kurenkov
Kurenkov played 5 games for Amur in the Russian league in 2007/08. In the season after he played for three different clubs of Vysshaya Liga before he retired.

Vladimir Zharkov
Zharkov played the World U18 Championship in 2006 and was drafted the same season by New Jersey in the third round. He played for CSKA in the Russian Superleague before he moved to New Jersey and its farm teams in Lowell and Albany. He has played 82 games in NHL.

Maxim Mamin
Mamin played both the World U18 and U20 Championships. He has played for Magnitogorsk, Salavat and Traktor in KHL and will next season play for Sibir.

Ilya Nefedov
Nefedov never made it to the highest level in Russia but he has played in Vysshaya Liga for five different clubs. Last season for Lada Togliatti.

Maxim Frolov
Frolov has played three seasons for Toros Neftekansk in Vysshaya Liga, but never at the highest level in Russia.

Yaroslav Kostin
Kostin played for the farm team of Salavat but retired after his junior years.

Denis Kurepanov
Last season Kurepanov played in KHL for the first time. He played 28 games for Novokuznetsk. He also played in VHL for Yermak Angarsk.

Alexander Vasyunov
Vasyunov passed away in the tragic Lokomotiv plane crash in September 2011. He played the World U18 Championship in 2006 and the World U20 Championship in 2007. He was drafted by New Jersey in the second round in 2006. He played 18 NHL games for the Devils and three seasons for its farm team in AHL. We was supposed to return to Lokomotiv and KHL for the 2011/12 season.

Sweden

Goalies
Stefan Ridderwall
Ridderwall is the son of another Swedish goalie, Rolf Ridderwall. He was drafted by New York Islanders in the sixth round 2006. He played the World U18 Championship in 2006 and the World U20 Championship in 2008, both times as back-up to Jhonas Enroth. Ridderwall has played in Elitserien for Djurgården and Timrå but will next season play in the Swedish second league, HockeyAllsvenskan, for Örebro.

Victor Tisell
Tisell plays in the Swedish third league (called Division 1) for Kristianstad. He never played in Elitserien except for three games as back-up.

Defensemen
Kristofer Berglund
Berglund played the World U18 and U20 Championships and has also played a few games for the senior national team. He was drafted by St. Louis in the fifth round in 2008. He has played four seasons in Elitserien. Two for Luleå and two for Färjestad. Next season he will represent Växjö.

Jonathan Carlsson
Carlsson played the World Juniors in 2008 and was drafted by Chicago Blackhawks the same year. He has played five seasons in Elitserien with Brynäs but moves to Timrå for 2012/13.

David Lidström
Lidström was never drafted and didn't play any World Junior championships. He has never played in Elitserien. He played his entire senior career in HockeyAllsvenskan. Next year he will play for Djurgården who just was relegated from Elitserien.

Eric Moe
Moe played the World U18 and U20 Championships. He has played 150 Elitserien games for Timrå and two for Modo but has spent the last two seasons in HockeyAllsvenskan with Leksand and Sundsvall. Next season he will be back in Leksand.

Timmy Nyberg
Nyberg only played junior hockey and retired in 2006.

Mathias Sjöberg
Sjöberg played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He has played 48 games in Elitserien (scoring only 2 goals). In November 2009 he announced retirement from elite hockey but continued to play in the Swedish fourth league for Tyringe. Next season he will play in Division 1 for Kristianstad.

Magnus Svanberg
Svanberg played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He has played in HockeyAllsvenskan for Almtuna and Sundsvall. Now he plays in Division 1 for Arlanda.

Anders Danielsson
Danielsson has played 21 games in Elitserien for Mora but the last few seasons he has played in Division 1. Next season he will play for Stjernen in the Norwegian league.

Forwards
Mikael Ahlén
Ahlén played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He has played one season in WHL and 26 games in Elitserien for Djurgården. The last two seasons he has played for Troja-Ljungby in HockeyAllsvenskan.

Johan Välitalo
Välitalo has played one game in HockeyAllsvenskan for Björklöven. He retired in 2010 after three seasons in Division 1.

Patrik Berglund
Berglund has definitely been the most successful player from this Swedish U16 team. He played the World U18 Championship in 2006 and the World U20 Championship in 2007 and 2008. In 2008 he was also named to the All-Star Team. He played the World Championship in 2009 and 2011 and was named to the All-Star Team in 2011. He has never played in Elitserien but he was drafted by St. Louis in the first round 2006. He has now played four seasons for St. Louis Blues in the NHL and is one of their key players.

Fredrik Olsson
Olsson only made in to play two games in HockeyAllsvenskan. He played one season in the French third league. The last two seasons he played in the Norwegian second league.

Tobias Forsberg
Forsberg played the World Juniors in 2008. He has played in Elitserien for Modo, but not with much success. He now belongs to Leksand of HockeyAllsvenskan.

Jimmy Jensen
Jensen played the World U18 Championship in 2006. He has played two games in Elitserien for Djurgården but now plays in Division 1 for Huddinge.

Oskar Johansson
Johansson has played five games in Elitserien for Timrå. He has played the last five seasons in HockeyAllsvenskan for Sundsvall but now moves to Borås.

Tony Lagerström
Lagerström played the World U18 and U20 Championships and performed well (3+3 points in both). He has only played one game in Elitserien. He has spent his career in HockeyAllsvenskan with Huddinge, Mora and Södertälje.

Björn Lindholm
Lindholm never made it higher than Division 1. He retired in 2011.

Patrik Lundh
Lundh played the World U18 and U20 Championships and he has also represented the men's national team in 2012. In 2012/13 he will play his third season with Färjestad in Elitserien. He also played a few Elitserien games with Djurgården in 2007.

Chris Nybeck
Nybeck played one Elitserien game with HV71 at the age of 18. For the last five years he has played in HockeyAllsvenskan with Oskarshamn.

John Sandsjö
As a senior Sandsjö played one season in the French second league and one in Swedish Division 1 before he retired in 2010.

The results of the games are of course not very interesting but here they are:
Finland-Czech Republic 1-6
Sweden-Russia 0-5
Russia-Finland 2-3 GWS
Czech Republic-Sweden 2-1 GWS
Russia-Czech Republic 6-1
Sweden-Finland 5-1

Of course there are also players that weren't discovered at the age of 16 or that for other reasons didn't play this tournament. The following players born 1988 weren't there in Kramfors 2004 but played in NHL 2011/12:

Michael Frolik, Michal Neuvirth, Michal Repik and Jiri Tlusty
Artem Anisimov and Sergei Bobrovsky
Jhonas Enroth, Erik Gustafsson, Carl Hagelin and Anders Lindbäck

 

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