HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- With an eye toward next year, Team USA coach Lou Vairo started 18-year-old goaltender James Howard -- rather than red-hot 19-year-old Robert Goepfert -- in Sunday's World Junior Championship bronze medal game against Finland. Howard, who only played in parts of two previous games, is expected to backstop a potentially strong American entry at the 2004 WJC in Finland.

Howard was rusty on Sunday, allowing two first-period goals. Vairo rectified his miscue -- replacing Howard with Goepfert for the second period -- but the damage was done. Despite a late rally, the Americans fell to the Finns, 3-2. A victory would have earned the Americans their first WJC medal since they took home a silver in 1997.

Despite the disappointing end, Team USA's fourth-place showing is its best since 2000, when lost to Canada in the bronze medal game.

In a tournament that features mostly 19-year-olds, the Americans had the most draft-eligible players (11), including eight 18-year-olds and two 17-year-olds. Because of that, the legion of NHL scouts in attendance kept a close eye on the U.S. games.

With the help of several amateur scouts, here's a look at Team USA's draft eligible players and where they might go in June:

Dustin Brown, RW, Guelph Storm (OHL):
A highly-rated prospect, Brown disappointed some scouts with his performance. "His growth seems to have slowed over the past six months," said one scout. But another didn't seem bothered by Brown's tournament play. "He's still a top 10 guy to me," the scout said. "He's a gritty kid who can score goals." Brown finished the tournament with two goals and two assists in seven games and can further his cause with a strong second half at Guelph.

Gino Guyer, LW, University of Minnesota:
Minnesota's 2002 "Mr. Hockey" (awarded to the state's top high school senior), Guyer didn't see much ice time in key situations. Most scouts don't see him being selected before the fifth round. He totaled three points (one goal) in seven games.

James Howard, G, University of Maine
It was a tough tournament for Howard, who played in parts of three games. He was shelled and pulled in the opener against Russia. He mopped up in a blow-out win over Belarus. Then, in the bronze medal game, he surrendered a pair of first-period goals to the Finns before being pulled. If a scout liked him (before the tourney), he likely wrote off the performance as a bad week. If he didn't like him, his play probably reinforced that thinking. Either way, he figures to be back for the 2004 tourney in Finland. He'll be a second- or third-round pick in June.

Ryan Kesler, RW, Ohio State
He raised his draft status more than anyone on the American roster. He enjoyed a productive tournament (3-4-7 in seven games) playing with center Zach Parise and left wing Eric Nystrom. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, he showed a willingness to battle in the tough areas of the ice. He drove to the net to score a third period power-play goal in the semifinal showdown with Canada. "He's a dependable player in all situations," said one scout. His performance probably moved him into the first round.

Greg Moore, RW, University of Maine
As a fourth liner, it's unlikely he helped or hurt his minimal draft value. He didn't record a point and finished with a minus-3 rating in seven games. To his credit, he was a part of the Americans' 2002 Under-18 gold medal-winning team. Despite his size (6-1, 208 pounds), he rates no better than a late-round selection at this point.

Patrick O'Sullivan, LW, Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL)
He's a controversial figure among amateur scouts. All agree that he possesses excellent offensive ability, but there are concerns about his hockey sense and competitive nature. Vairo benched him at times during the tournament. To his credit, he worked his way out of the coach's dog house. He finished with a goal and two assists in seven games. The youngest player on the team, O'Sullivan projects as a first-round pick. Still, it will be interesting to see which team selects him. "It will be somebody willing to take a huge risk," said one scout.

Zach Parise, C, University of North Dakota
The son of former NHLer J.P. Parise, Zach enjoyed a strong tournament. Parise's competitive nature and shifty puck skills drew a thumbs-up from most scouts in attendance. At 5-10, 170 pounds, he wasn't timid about driving to the net. He finished the tournament with a four goals and a team-best eight points. He's also enjoying a strong freshman season at North Dakota, tallying 29 points in his first 14 games. He will likely go in the first round.

Ryan Shannon, C, Boston College
Among the older players on this team, Shannon was a role player for Vairo, who used him on the power play and in several key situations during the bronze medal game against the Finns. He tallied three assists in the tournament. The fact that he made the team won't hurt his standing, but it probably doesn't help it that much, either. At best, he'll be a late-round pick.

Brett Sterling, LW, Colorado College
An excellent student-athlete, Sterling was another of Vairo's role players. No doubt, he didn't help himself by taking two penalties in the semifinal loss to Canada. He finished with two assists in seven games. Like Shannon, he could be selected in the later rounds.

Mark Stuart, D, Colorado College
Stuart was a steady performer for Team USA and didn't hurt his standing with NHL scouts, who feel he will be a second-round pick. At 6-2, 220 pounds, Stuart already has good size for a defensive defenseman. Many observers were impressed with his competitive nature in big games against the Czechs and Canadians. He tallied one assist in the tournament.

Ryan Suter, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
Insiders figure he'll be a top 10 pick in June. Among the youngest defensemen in the tournament, Suter (2-1-3 in seven games) acquitted himself nicely against older competition. Several scouts project Suter as an impact player in the NHL. The 6-1, 172-pound blueliner comes from a rich hockey family. His father, Bob, played on the gold medal winning 1980 U.S. Olympic team. His uncle, Gary, recently completed a 17-year NHL career. Suter has orally committed to attend the University of Wisconsin. A revision of draft eligibility rules by the NCAA will allow him to opt-in to this year's draft without jeopardizing his college status.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.