World Juniors: BC Line Of Hagens, Leonard And Perreault Looking Historic For Team USA

Over the years at the World Junior Championship, there have been lines that dominated play and took over for their teams. They’ve often featured future NHL superstars and even some Hockey Hall of Fame caliber players. That’s why the clinic that the American top line of Ryan Leonard, James Hagens and Gabe Perreault is putting on is so special.

Part of the reason that this line has been so impactful for the Americans is that the trio plays together at Boston College, driving the offense for their NCAA squad as well. Hagens was a natural fit with Leonard and Perreault after their former NTDP center Will Smith left BC to turn pro with the San Jose Sharks this season.

As a naturally gifted playmaker, Hagens is the perfect player to play center between the incumbent duo. Leonard is the power on the line, playing like a bull in a china shop. He has the strength to barrel through one player and the skill to dangle the next. Perreault is the ultimate tactician. His ability to connect play and consistently generate positive touches is impressive.

Through two games, the trio is putting up incredible numbers. They have five goals and 13 points between them, putting them on pace for 39 points if they play six contests en route to a medal as expected. While they’ve put those points up against Germany and Latvia, even if there is a little bit of regression, the U.S. top line should be as productive as some of the best lines in the history of this tournament.

Just last year, the Leonard-Smith-Perreault line put up 10 goals and 26 points as a unit over seven games. The new BC line could put those numbers up through the round-robin. It’s been incredible to watch the chemistry between them and the blend of contrasting skill sets. The vision, puck handling, power, intelligence and smooth play between the three forwards has been a sight to behold.

As mentioned, there have been some impressive scoring lines in the history of the WJC. Going back to the 2005 tournament, a kid named Sidney Crosby skated on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Corey Perry. Sid the Kid, back when he truly was a kid, was two years younger than his linemates but the line put up 13 goals and 29 points in six games on their way to winning gold with an undefeated record.

A few years later in 2009, Canada was once again led by a line with a young star on the team in John Tavares. Skating alongside Jordan Eberle and Cody Hodgson, the line combined for 19 goals and 44 points and they were front and center for some of the most memorable moments in WJC history. The line was pivotal in the comeback against the Americans in the group stage and then Eberle scored what may be the most famous goal in tournament history to tie the game against Russia late. This line was incredible.

At the 2011 tournament, Russia had a powerhouse line that featured three future NHL all-stars in Artemi Panarin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko. The line was dominant for Russia, helping them to the gold medal with big goals in big moments throughout the event.

In 2015, Max Domi, Sam Reinhart and Anthony Duclair were scoring the lights out on a team that featured Connor McDavid. This forward group helped Canada secure gold for the first time since that Eberle year. Domi, Reinhart and Duclair combined for 14 goals and 29 points that year.

The very next year, Patrik Laine, Sebastian Aho and Jesse Puljujarvi combined to put up 17 goals and 44 points as they helped Finland to a gold medal. The Finnish top line was dominant at every turn. Laine-Aho-Puljujarvi was one of the most offensively dynamic lines the Finns have ever put together and they are among the most lethal lines in tournament history.

Leonard-Hagens-Perreault has a chance to be as dominant and productive as any of these lines. They could be the biggest reason why the Americans repeat as champions. Only time will tell, but with the round robin halfway done, the Hagens-led top line could be on the road to becoming one of the most feared lines in tournament history.

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