WJHC Power Rankings

Kevin Prendergast's job is well underway evaluating talent for the upcoming world junior championship.

Hockey Canada's head scout will have some tough decisions as this year's group of players is assembled for the tournament in Calgary and Edmonton. Although most of the noteworthy players are only now trickling back to their junior teams from NHL camps, several made a case for consideration with their play in the Canadian Hockey League last week.

Note - The CHL Hot-Not will take a break for the first half of the season as Sportsnet.ca features weekly power rankings leading up to the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Hot

Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks

If the first two games of the season are any indication, Rattie is ready for primetime after living in the shadows of Portland's star players the last two seasons. In both games, Rattie scored twice and had one assist against Seattle and Tri-City. Depending how many tournament-eligible forwards stick in the NHL this season, Rattie could be one of Canada's point producers.

Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings

Few players have come as far as Stone in the last year. His 78-point improvement a year ago could be a sign of things to come this season. He opened the season with a goal and three assists in two games with a plus-3. Stone not only has the offensive attributes, but the physical presence that will earn him a long look at the December camp.

Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury Wolves

Sgarbossa appears to have picked up where he left off last season. He scored twice in his first game against Mississauga, but was held without a point against Brampton on Saturday. Although his offensive touch was there, his minus-3 will need improvement. He won't likely earn a spot due to his offence, so he will need to prove he can play a complete game.

Stuart Percy, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors

The Toronto Maple Leafs' first-rounder from last June is starting the season red hot. One of the smartest junior players, Percy won't put up gaudy offensive numbers, but would be a solid and dependable defender for Team Canada. Percy picked up one assist, but his plus-7 in two games is even more impressive when considering the Majors aren't as strong as they were a year ago.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski Oceanic

The veteran defenceman and third round pick of the Buffalo Sabres started the season with a bang. Gauthier-Leduc scored twice and picked up three assists for five points in two games, but was a minus-3. Both goals came in his first game against Chicoutimi on Friday. His three-point night ended with the shootout winner.

Martin Lefebvre, Quebec Remparts

One of the lesser known players invited to Canada's summer camp, Lefebvre is making a name this season. The undrafted 19-year-old defenceman scored his team's first goal in a 9-1 rout over Chicoutimi on Sunday. He picked up five assists in two games for six points and a plus-2 rating. He should be more than able to top his career best 55 points from last season.

Matt Petgrave, Owen Sound Attack

Another undrafted 19-year-old, Petgrave is taking his game to another level after winning the OHL title with the Attack last season. Petgrave scored once and added three assists in three games last week with a plus-2 rating. There's no question he's a solid junior player, but if he has any chance of cracking the Canadian squad it will be in a complementary role as a sixth or seventh defenceman.

Cold

JP Anderson, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors

One of two goalies cut at last year's camp, Anderson will have a lot to prove this time around. He won his first two games against Sudbury and Peterborough, but his numbers will need improvement. Anderson allowed six goals on 56 shots for a .893 save percentage. He's a big-game goalie, so he should receive consideration even if his first-half performance could use improvement.

Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs

The older of the two Hamilton brothers, Freddie will have a lot to prove if he's going to make the cut for Canada's world junior team. A smart, two-way player, Hamilton did not record a point in a loss to Peterborough on Thursday. More concerning, he was on the ice for four of the Petes' seven goals. His attention to defence may be his only chance at earning a roster spot.

Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax Mooseheads

Although unlikely he becomes the sixth player to represent Canada at the age of 16, MacKinnon's progress will no doubt be watched under a microscope this season. The first overall pick from last summer's draft experienced his first bump since joining the league. MacKinnon was held pointless in both games against Rouyn-Noranda and Moncton, the first such time in his young career he did not pick up a point in a game.