The United States are heading back to the semifinals of the 2024 World Junior Championship and are the favorites to win gold when the tournament resumes. New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey had his best game for Team USA in the quarterfinals.
Casey has been solid for the Americans all tournament long, but in the quarterfinals against Latvia, he had his breakout performance. Casey recorded three points, all assists, as Team USA routed Latvia 7-2. Two of those assists were primary assists as Team USA’s second and third goals. Originally, Casey had been credited with a goal, but his shot went off Danny Nelson’s shin pad. It was later changed to Nelson’s goal and Casey’s assist.
His final assist was a secondary assist later in the game on Team USA’s sixth goal. From start to finish, Seamus Casey was noticeable. Through four games, Casey has registered five assists.
As Steven Ellis of DailyFaceoff named the defenseman as his standout performer of the game.
“Casey had three assists in the lopsided affair while also making himself a pain in the behind to try and get past,” Ellis wrote. “We know Casey can generate chances, but he’s one heck of a physical defender, too.”
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We have seen Casey take over games at the University of Michigan. However, at this tournament with bigger ice, his impact has not been felt as much. However, the bigger the game, the bigger the impact for Casey. For the most part, he has been playing a rock-solid defensive game that does not get noticed.
But his defensive game was something that caught the eye of Full Press Hockey’s own Russ Cohen.
“I gotta tell you, though, I think Seamus Casey made a real jump, Cohen said on the Full Press NHL Podcast. “He’s not that far behind, like Lane Hutson now, as far as zone entries and and speed. So, I think Casey took a nice jump. Devils fans be happy about that.”
As Cohen wrote on Sportsology.com, “I would want Seamus Casey (Devils) on the ice. If you’re trying to hold a lead or keep it tied.”
So the Devils have a good prospect coming on defense with Seamus Casey. Casey will need to be at his best as Team USA plays Finland and Lenni Hämeenaho, who has two goals in his last two games, on Thursday in the semifinals.
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