World Junior Power Rankings

A pair of Portland Winterhawks did their best to make roster decisions easier for Canadian head coach Don Hay.

The world junior selection camp roster will be named on Monday on the heels of some noteworthy performances. Niagara defenceman Dougie Hamilton may be the surest bet amongst his IceDogs peers, a group which also includes Ryan Strome and Mark Visentin. Hamilton took his spot alongside Portland’s Joe Morrow in the hot column in this week’s rankings.

HOT

Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks

Rattie left nothing to chance after a cold performance by his standards last week. In four games, Rattie terrorized goaltenders with seven goals and five assists for 12 points and a plus-8 rating. His late third period goal against Regina on Tuesday gave him his fourth game-winning goal of the season. Rattie is averaging a goal a game and likely did everything he could to earn an invite to the December camp.

Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax Mooseheads

The 16-year-old forward hasn’t had much difficulty producing in his first season of major junior. Although still likely a long shot to make the world junior team, MacKinnon put his best foot forward with two goals and six assists for eight points and a plus-3 rating in three games last week. His performance as a rookie is impressive this season, but it remains to be seen if he’ll join elite company on the world junior team.

Max Reinhart, Kootenay Ice

Reinhart enjoyed one of his best weeks of the season with a six-point performance in three games. He scored the game-winner over Prince George on Tuesday and added another goal against Kamloops on Wednesday. He also had four assists with a plus-4 rating. Reinhart’s solid and dependable play often falls below the radar, but could be enough to earn him an invite to camp.

Joe Morrow, Portland Winterhawks

Morrow followed in his teammate’s footsteps with a red-hot final week before camp invitations. In four games, the Winterhawks’ defenceman scored four goals and added three assists with a plus-3 rating. His goal over Spokane on Friday was also a game-winner and Morrow’s goal scoring streak is now five games long. He may be a no-brainer for the Canadian team.

Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs

The big and mobile defenceman continued his solid play this season. Hamilton scored once and assisted on four more for a five-point week in three games. His only goal was also a winner over Windsor on Friday. Hamilton is a near lock to make the Canadian world junior team. His 38 points in 25 games not only lead OHL defencemen, but his team too – Hamilton has 13 more points than Strome.

Jamie Oleksiak, Saginaw Spirit

Points have come slowly for the hulking defenceman playing in his first OHL season. However, Oleksiak appears to be finding his offensive touch with two goals in three games last week and a plus-2 rating. Oleksiak won’t likely earn power-play minutes, should he make the Canadian team, but could be a dependable defensive player. His skating stride and size are two assets that should endear him to Hockey Canada.

Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat Tigers

Here’s a case where the win-loss record only tells part of the story. Although Bunz won two and lost two, his save percentage through four starts was a sparkling .945 last week after stopping 120 of 127 shots. His performance is even more impressive considering he was sidelined after taking a puck off the head from the bench a week earlier. Many believe he’s the front-runner for Canada’s backup job, but he could evolve into Canada’s starter.

COLD

Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals

Lessio’s offensive game has gone cold in November, with just five points in 12 games this month. In two games last week, he was held without a point, but was a plus-1. His unproductive week brings his total to six straight games now without a point. His defensive play isn’t strong enough to overcome a lack of offence to earn consideration for this year’s team.

Morgan Ellis, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Ellis fell in the cold column after a hot performance two weeks ago. In three games last week, Ellis was held without a point and was a minus-3. Although he wouldn’t earn consideration as an offensive defenceman, his defensive zone coverage could use some work. He’s a minus-6 on the season, which is actually solid in Cape Breton, but likely not good enough to play in the world juniors.

J.P. Anderson, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors

The diminutive goalie picked the wrong time to struggle. Although the team in front of him is also finding it tough lately, Anderson was unable to leave a mark in the final week before camp invitations. In three losses, Anderson was beat on 11-of-99 shots for a .889 save percentage. Past performance may not be enough to bring him to Alberta for the holidays.

HOT LAST WEEK: Tanner Pearson, Barrie Colts; Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s; Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings; Jordan Weal, Regina Pats; Zack Phillips, Saint John Sea Dogs; Morgan Ellis, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles; Calvin Pickard, Seattle Thunderbirds

COLD LAST WEEK: Greg McKegg, Erie Otters; Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals; Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks