Roster by surprise

Who saw this version of Team Canada?

The final votes are in and true to form; Hockey Canada followed the junior hockey motto to expect the unexpected. Few would have predicted a team without the slick-skating and dynamically-gifted Ryan Murphy. When roster spots were handed out Wednesday morning, Murphy was getting a handshake and a plane ticket back to Kitchener.

Murphy is quite possibly the best puck-rushing defenceman in junior hockey, but his reputation wasn't enough to earn a spot on this team. Perhaps a slow start in Kitchener, where he tried overcoming a young roster by putting the team on his shoulders, alluded to the fact this isn't his year. Now he'll have the chance to work on those nine points in 14 games.

It's the second year in a row where Murphy's game will be honed in Kitchener, not the international stage, during the holidays. He was one of five players released at last year's camp from the blueline.

Among some other notable surprises is the absence of Ottawa's Tyler Toffoli and Victoriaville's Phillip Danault. Both players scored twice in the final tune-up game against a group of CIS players on Tuesday, moments that won't mean much now as they board flights east-bound.

Toffoli is a pure marksman, but his soft and supple hands weren't enough to get the nod to wear the maple leaf. Many questioned the decision to leave him off last year's lineup when Canada was hard-up for goals (he didn't even get a camp invite), particularly after he scored 57 goals and 108 points in 68 games to tie for the league lead.

Toffoli's teammate in Ottawa, defenceman Cody Ceci, was also among the cuts. Ceci will have another chance next year, the type of comfort Toffoli won't be able to feel, since he will no longer be eligible.

Three of the four goals scored by the CIS on Tuesday were on the power-play. Danault was one of the players trying to defend Canada's crease, which means his two goals scored were likely overshadowed in Hockey Canada management's minds by a shaky penalty kill. Danault could have scored five goals in the game and it likely wouldn't have mattered - since he wasn't in line for a scoring role - after the team's penalty kill failed to shut the door.

The backup job is seemingly handed to Scott Wedgewood with returning goalie Mark Visentin likely to be given the starting job. Wedgewood looked good in camp and in the final tune-up game on Tuesday, earning the spot in front of Tyler Bunz, whom many considered (myself included) as Visentin's backup going into the tournament. Props go to our analyst, Sam Cosentino, who had been trumpeting for Wedgewood all along.

Visentin eventually became the starting goaltender in last year's tournament after a rocky final game by Olivier Roy against the Swedes. Canada lost in a game where better goaltending would have given them the win (not to mention a berth into the semifinal), and Visentin took the ball the rest of the way.

Now it's Visentin who enters this tournament with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his shoulders. He didn't look exceptional in junior on a championship-contending team so far this season, and his consistency could become an issue in this tournament. Don't be surprised if Wedgewood eventually starts some of the more meaningful games when the calendar turns.

The defensive core has two characteristics: mobile and the ability to rush the puck. Sure, Murphy has both those traits, but Team Canada won't be at a loss for defencemen who can move the puck. Montreal Canadiens first-round pick Nathan Beaulieu and Visentin's Niagara teammate, Dougie Hamilton, will lead the rush. Moncton's Brandon Gormley and Everett's Ryan Murray are no slouches in that area, either.

The defence is far from punishing, despite the inclusion of 6-foot-7, 252-pound defenceman Jamie Oleksiak. London Knights defenceman Scott Harrington, a plus-20 in junior, will likely handle the physical and shutdown play.

The group of forwards features three returning players in Brett Connolly, Quinton Howden and Jaden Schwartz. Many of the forwards can put the puck in the net, but made a mark with their two-way ability and work ethic. It's hardly a surprise to see Brendan Gallagher, head coach Don Hay's forward in junior, make this team.

This group may not feature the star-power and recognizable names to junior outsiders, but it can score. Mark Stone and Ryan Strome are two of junior hockey's finest.

The biggest question that remains unanswered is whether Howden and Jonathan Huberdeau will be ready when the puck drops on Boxing Day. Howden was injured in a hit by Connolly in the Red-White game on Monday, while Huberdeau was unable to participate in the camp due to a foot injury.

The Niagara IceDogs are well represented with four players: Visentin, Strome, Dougie Hamilton and brother Freddie Hamilton. It's the first time brothers made the team since Randy and Mike Moller 30 years ago. Many predicted younger brother Dougie would be on the team, something few envisioned for Freddie.

Yes, it's not the team many would have predicted, proving once again how difficult it can be in handicapping this team.