Patrick King

The 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship could be Tyler Seguin's only chance at world junior glory.

The offensive dynamo of the Plymouth Whalers is a surefire top three pick for this summer's National Hockey League draft and could follow in the footsteps of some elite Canadian talent.

The Canadian world junior team deployed a minimum of one 17-year-old player in each of the last five tournaments and in many cases it was that player's only showing. Such could be the case for Seguin as, once he is drafted near the top of this year's draft class, his junior career is likely over.

For those elite junior players, missing out on a chance at representing their country in the prestigious tournament is the trade-off for an expedited NHL career. Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly are examples this year, as the Colorado Avalanche chose not to make either available for this year's camp. Duchene was cut a year ago as a 17-year-old.

It's not uncommon for players like Duchene and O'Reilly to bypass the tournament altogether by beginning their NHL careers at 18. The Avalanche duo is just two of seven examples over the last 10 years to have never represented Canada at the world juniors while beginning their pro careers at 18.

With the exceptions of O'Reilly, drafted 33rd overall in 2009, David Perron (26th overall in 2006), and Milan Lucic (50th in 2006), most of the players who bypassed the tournament were high picks. The list also includes brothers Eric Staal (second overall in 2003) and Jordan Staal (second overall in 2006) and Gilbert Brule (sixth overall in 2005).

It's also worth noting that, had it not been for the NHL lockout in 2005, Patrice Bergeron would have also been included in this list.

Seguin's reliable two-way play and game-breaking ability is reminiscent of Steven Stamkos' at the same age. Stamkos made the most of his only opportunity when he helped lead Canada to gold in the 2008 tournament at age 17. He was then chosen first in the 2008 draft by Tampa Bay where a return to junior was never in question.

Should Seguin make the world junior team this year he would become the 11th player in as many tournaments to represent Canada at age 17. Of the previous 10, four never got second opportunities due to their NHL careers commencing which include Stamkos, Rick Nash, Sam Gagner and Evander Kane.

Kane, the fourth overall pick last summer, is still eligible for this year's tournament but was not made available by the Atlanta Thrashers.

"Once they hit the ice, no one checks birth certificates," Hockey Canada's head scout Al Murray said.

Seguin is one of three players born in 1992 who were named to the selection camp roster. The other two are Moncton Wildcats defenceman Brandon Gormley and Sudbury Wolves forward John McFarland. Of the three, Seguin has the most immediate NHL potential but it's not a stretch for either of Gormley or McFarland to begin in the pros next season.

What makes Seguin so appealing for Hockey Canada is his dynamic skill-set and intelligence. He is already relied upon in every situation with the Whalers and plays with maturity well beyond his years.

Another aspect which works in Seguin's favour is his history within the Hockey Canada program. He was a key contributor on Canada's gold-medal winning under-18 team last summer and also won gold with Team Ontario in the Under-17 tournament last season. He led the under-18 tournament in scoring while also finishing second in team scoring in the under-17 tournament.

"In Tyler's case you just have to look at the OHL scoring race to know he's one of the elite offensive players in junior hockey," said Murray.

Seguin is among the top 10 scorers and was atop the leader-board early this season before a lower-body injury forced him to miss some action recently.

There's no question he's one of the most dynamic offensive players invited to camp. Murray emphasized players will need to do what they do best to be successful in earning an extended stay with the national world junior team in Saskatchewan.

"Age will have nothing to do with whether they actually make the final team or not," he said. "It will be based on their performance on the ice."

Whether Seguin makes this year's team or not, this may be his only opportunity to represent Canada at the world juniors.