World Junior Power Rankings

The Subway Super Series served its role in helping Hockey Canada determine evaluation camp invitations, but those decisions may be influenced equally by recent CHL play.

Many of the players in the series suited up on consecutive nights in the Western Hockey League, only to leave a mark in both the international competition and with their club teams.

Mark Stone and Jordan Weal both followed up strong performances against Russia with solid efforts for their CHL teams. Meanwhile, goalie Calvin Pickard stepped up his play after losing the final game of the series while allowing seven goals.

Hot Players:

Tanner Pearson, Barrie Colts

Pearson led the way for the Colts during their three-game win streak. The 19-year-old forward scored three goals and added seven assists for a 10-point week and a plus-3 rating. Pearson scored all three goals in Ottawa on Friday, capping his remarkable night with the overtime winner. His red-hot performance have helped establish a new career-high with 51 points, surpassing last year’s total of 42.

Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s

Toffoli sandwiched his third pointless performance of the season with two strong efforts. In three games, the 67’s sniper scored five goals while adding three assists with an impressive plus-7 rating. Toffoli’s offensive attributes, along with his consistency, should leave him high on Hockey Canada’s list of names available for the world junior tournament.

Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings

Stone began the week with a strong outing against the Russians in the Subway Super Series on Thursday with a goal and one assist. The WHL’s leading scorer played the next three nights in league action and didn’t miss a beat. Stone scored in all three games and added five assists with a plus-4 rating. It’s hard to imagine the list of invites won’t include his name.

Jordan Weal, Regina Pats

Like Stone, Weal played games in four straight nights. His first two were part of the Subway Super Series, where he scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday’s 5-2 win and was named the WHL’s player of the game. In two games with the Pats, Weal scored once and added four assists for a plus-3 rating. His solid performance in league and international play could get him to the selection camp.

Zack Phillips, Saint John Sea Dogs

Phillips continues to pick up the points in the absence of the injured Sea Dogs’ captain, Jonathan Huberdeau. Phillips scored twice against Rouyn-Noranda on Wednesday before setting up five more goals in the next two games. He was also a plus-4 through three games. With all the roster spots available this year, Huberdeau won’t likely be the only Sea Dog invited to camp.

Morgan Ellis, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

The Montreal Canadiens’ prospect could be on the verge of earning an invitation with his solid play this season. In three games last week, Ellis scored twice and picked up four assists with a plus-1 rating. He scored the game winner over Rouyn-Noranda on Saturday after assisting on Logan Shaw’s winner over P.E.I. on Wednesday.

Calvin Pickard, Seattle Thunderbirds

Pickard bounced back from a disappointing final performance against the Russians in the Subway Super Series with two strong outings for the Thunderbirds on the weekend. Pickard unexpectedly started both games for Team WHL after his backup on Wednesday, Tyler Bunz, took a puck to the head while on the bench. The T-birds goalie allowed seven goals in Thursday’s game, the one Bunz was meant to start. In two games since returning to league play, Pickard allowed just three goals on 93 shots for a .968 save percentage.

Cold Players:

Greg McKegg, Erie Otters

McKegg began the week with a three-point effort and a memorable goal for Team OHL in the Subway Super Series on Monday. He wasn’t able to carry his performance over however, as he finished league play without a point in three games and a ghastly minus-8 rating. Although he’s behind last season’s pace, McKegg is still a point-per-game player on an injury-ravaged, rebuilding team.

Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals

In three games last week, Lessio failed to pick up a point and was a minus-4. Lessio’s production is dipping at the wrong time with world junior invites right around the corner. The Generals’ forward may be slipping out of contention with the emergence of some other players. At this point, he may be a better bet for next year’s team.

Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks

The WHL’s fourth-leading scorer suffered through a rough performance with his club team. After picking up a goal and one assist in Wednesday’s Subway Super Series game, Rattie scored once upon his return with the Winterhawks in two games. Although his goal stood up as the game-winner over Everett on Friday, it was his only point while he was also a minus-5.

HOT LAST WEEK: Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts; Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs; Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors; Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres; Kevin Sundher, Victoria Royals; Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats; Louis Domingue, Quebec Remparts; Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat Tigers

COLD LAST WEEK: Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting; Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers.