CHL

BY PATRICK KING

Sportsnet.ca

It's that time of year again.

The list of world junior hopefuls from the Canadian Hockey League is being pared down as the league assembled the Québec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League rosters which will play the Russians in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge. The challenge, which is used as a scouting tool for Hockey Canada in preparation of the world junior tournament, will have two games played in each of the three member leagues.

Among those hopefuls to wear the maple leaf on their chest in Ottawa this December and January is Oshawa's John Tavares who will represent the OHL in both games.

"We take a lot of pride in those games and you want to make a good impression for Hockey Canada for the world junior team and you want to win and play well," Tavares said.

Tavares' OHL remains the only league to go unbeaten in the challenge with a 10-0 record. The QMJHL has the worst record against Russia at six wins, two losses and two shootout losses. The Western Hockey League has lost just once, last year in Cranbrook, B.C., while they have won the other nine. The CHL's all-time record stands at 25-3-0-2.

The WHL has yet to name their rosters for the challenge.

Tavares and defenceman P.K. Subban are the only two players from either league to be named to the challenge after winning gold with Canada at last year's world junior tournament.

This will be the sixth year of the challenge against the Russians who appear to be taking it more seriously after sending a stronger team last year. The CHL teams had won 16 consecutive games spanning over three years before Russia got a win against the QMJHL team in Chicoutimi, Que. last November. In fact, Russia won twice last year and had they beaten the WHL in the final game in Medicine Hat, Alta., a shootout would have ensued to declare the winner of the challenge.

The first game will be played in Cape Breton, N.S. on Nov. 17 with the second game in Saint John, N.B. on Nov. 19. The challenge will then shift to the OHL where games will be held in Guelph, Ont. on Nov. 20 and St. Catharines, Ont. on Nov. 24. The WHL portion will be played in Swift Current, Sask. on Nov. 26 and Prince Albert, Sask. on Nov. 27.

Sexsmith achieves career milestone

Vancouver Giants goaltender Tyson Sexsmith will have ample time to stand alone in the WHL record books. The 19-year-old, who led the Giants to a Memorial Cup victory on home ice two seasons ago, tied the WHL mark for career shutouts on Oct. 22 with 21 career shutouts.

Sexsmith faced just 10 shots in the road win over the Edmonton Oil Kings to tie the record in front of family and friends.

"It had been in the back of my head for a while and people asked me if I put too much pressure on myself," Sexsmith told Sportsnet.ca. "I get my name in the record book but I think the Vancouver Giants and the players that I've worked with over the years, especially players like Cody Franson and Brendan Mikkelson and a few others are guys that really helped me achieve this record and they deserve half the recognition."

"He played on some pretty good teams and I think they kind of go hand-in-hand," Giants head coach Don Hay said. "During his time with us we have been a pretty good quality hockey team and we've had good players in front of him and I think it's been a good marriage for Tyson and the Vancouver Giants."

Sexsmith posted his 21st career shutout in just his 134th game, well shy of the marks it took both Brian Bridges and Leland Irving to accomplish the same feat. Bridges needed 213 games while Irving reached the mark in 215 games.

"We, as a group, talk about team achievements and getting a shutout record individually is great for Tyson and it's also great for our team," Hay said.

Rangers avoiding rebuild?

Despite losing several big names players from last year's OHL championship-winning team a season ago, the Kitchener Rangers still have their eyes on the playoffs this season.

The team may be younger but new head coach and general manager Steve Spott has iced a competitive lineup this season while still tutoring some of their young players. Four 16-year-olds have played for the blue-shirts this season, three of which are forwards.

"I think with the number of returning players we have the goal is to try to make the playoffs this year but at the same time we want to make sure that our young players are being developed and are getting quality minutes and quality ice time," Spott said.

"When you have players like Jeff Skinner, Shane Prince and Alex Aleardi, those are high-end 92-born players and we want to make sure they are playing in critical situations as well. They're going to make mistakes but at the same time it's important that they're not rookies again next year."

Goaltender Mike Morrison is another highly-touted future Ranger. He was solid in his first career start, a 3-2 overtime win over the Sudbury Wolves on Oct. 18. His possible emergence is one of the reasons Spott's phone has been busy this season as opposing teams have inquired about the team's goaltending situation.

Spott's Rangers returned Josh Unice from last year's team but sought another veteran after Unice went down with an injury. Former Belleville Bulls goalie Parker Van Buskirk has been solid since donning the Rangers colours.

"Teams are obviously calling," Spott said. "We do have some very solid returning players from last year's team and this year is maybe a transitional year for us with regards to our program so there's a lot of interest in a lot of our veteran players but at the same time, we have 7,000 people every Friday night that we have nothing but respect for and we want to win hockey games."

Spott said the team has not had any serious trade discussions with any team with regards to their veteran players.

Rowat could be on the move

The goaltending carousel could soon be coming to a close in Regina as general manager Brent Parker is looking to pull the trigger on a deal.

Regina has been rotating goaltenders Linden Rowat, Jeff Bosch and Damien Ketlo this season. With their depth at the position, Parker would like to resolve the issue before it drags out any longer.

"One thing we said is we could move any of the guys if we get the right package," Parker said. "We're not shopping any one of them; we're just trying to find what's going to be the best deal for our hockey club."

The Pats could make the biggest splash by trading Rowat who has been inconsistent this season after having a subpar performance in last year's playoffs. Rowat, a fifth round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2007, has been the starter since he took the job from David Reekie two seasons ago.

"Obviously Linden's had two very solid years as a starter and did good things for us in the playoffs two years ago," Parker said. "So obviously there would be lots of interest in him."

One of the bright surprises so far this season has been the play of 16-year-old rookie Jordan Weal. Although small in stature, the rookie has proven to be long on skill. Weal is tied for ninth in league scoring with 21 points in 16 games and reminds Parker of another member from his team.

"We had the same situation a couple years ago with Jordan Eberle when he came in as a 16-year-old and did tremendous things for us," Parker said. "You don't get those very often.

"He's a dynamic little player and he had a tremendous last year in midget. We knew he was a special player but to say we expected him to be (ninth) in league scoring at this stage probably wouldn't be accurate."

Weal was the first recipient of the WHL's player of the week award after scoring a goal with four assists in two games.