The six-game CIBC Canada-Russia Series goes Nov. 7-17 with two games hosted by each of the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. It’s the last chance for Canadians to impress Hockey Canada before invites are sent out for the world junior selection camp in December.
Several players eligible for the world juniors are still in the NHL and it looks as if many of them will stick. With that in mind, here’s a look at the players most likely to make an impact in the Series and earn an invite to selection camps in December. With one exception…
10. Givani Smith, RW, Guelph Storm
While it’s hardly a great measuring stick, Smith was sensational on the final day of Biosteel camp, standing out among established NHL veterans. He’s got size, strength and speed along with a sneaky goal-scorer’s touch. Detroit selected Smith 46th overall in 2016 NHL after he led the OHL in PIM while also scoring 23 goals to pace a lackluster Guelph Storm squad. Smith has opened the season on a point-per-game pace, while continuing to lead the team in penalty minutes. As an underager, it will be an uphill climb, but he may surprise, while getting an opportunity to play in both OHL games.
| TEAM OHL | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Pos | Team | Height | Weight | DOB | Hometown |
| Senyshyn, Zachary | RW | Sault Ste. Marie | 6.03 | 196 | 1997-05-30 | Ottawa, ON, |
| McKenzie, Brett | C | North Bay | 6.01 | 194 | 1997-03-12 | Vars, ON, |
| Knott, Graham | LW | Niagara | 6.04 | 195 | 1997-01-13 | Holland Landing, ON, |
| Vilardi, Gabriel | C | Windsor | 6.02 | 193 | 1999-08-16 | Kingston, ON, |
| Raddysh, Taylor | RW | Erie | 6.02 | 203 | 1998-02-18 | Caledon, ON, |
| Speers, Blake | RW | Sault Ste. Marie | 5.11 | 185 | 1997-01-02 | Sault Ste. Marie, ON, |
| McLeod, Michael | C | Mississauga | 6.02 | 188 | 1998-02-03 | Mississauga, ON, |
| Cirelli, Anthony | C | Oshawa | 6.01 | 184 | 1997-07-15 | Woodbridge, ON, |
| Mascherin, Adam | LW | Kitchener | 5.09 | 191 | 1998-06-06 | Maple, ON, |
| Smith, Givani | RW | Guelph | 6.02 | 209 | 1998-02-27 | Toronto, ON, |
| Kyrou, Jordan | RW | Sarnia | 6.00 | 178 | 1998-05-05 | Toronto, ON, |
| Stephens, Mitchell | C | Saginaw | 5.11 | 182 | 1997-02-05 | Peterborough, ON, |
| Bitten, Will | C | Hamilton | 5.10 | 170 | 1998-07-10 | Gloucester, ON, |
| Friend, Jacob | D | Owen Sound | 6.02 | 200 | 1997-07-28 | Bowmanville, ON, |
| Hague, Nicolas | D | Mississauga | 6.05 | 216 | 1998-12-05 | Kitchener, ON, |
| Stanley, Logan | D | Windsor | 6.07 | 220 | 1998-05-26 | Waterloo, ON, |
| McFadden, Garrett | D | Guelph | 5.11 | 181 | 1997-08-21 | Kincardine, ON |
| Capobianco, Kyle | D | Sudbury | 6.02 | 188 | 1997-08-13 | Mississauga, ON, |
| Phillips, Markus | D | Owen Sound | 6.00 | 200 | 1999-03-21 | Toronto, ON, |
| Vande Sompel, Mitchell | D | Oshawa | 5.10 | 190 | 1997-02-11 | London, ON, |
| Spencer, Matt | D | Peterborough | 6.01 | 207 | 1997-03-24 | Oakville, ON, |
| Mete, Victor | D | London | 5.10 | 174 | 1998-06-07 | Woodbridge, ON, |
| Wells, Dylan | G | Peterborough | 6.02 | 187 | 1998-01-03 | St. Catharines, ON, |
| Cormier, Evan | G | Saginaw | 6.02 | 215 | 1997-11-06 | Bowmanville, ON, |
| McNiven, Michael | G | Owen Sound | 6.01 | 212 | 1997-07-09 | Georgetown, ON, |
9. Nikita Popugaev, LW, Moose Jaw Warriors
The Russian roster has yet to be finalized, but expect Popugaev to be a part of it. He will be challenged as an underager playing for Russian coach Valery Bragin, who has traditionally favoured veteran players—especially over Russian CHLers—in this event over the years. Expected to be a first-round pick in June, Popugaev is big and mobile, has has excelled on his off wing and is playing for a team that encourages high-octane offence.
8. Logan Stanley, D, Windsor Spitfires
Stanley may have been the most improved player in the CHL last season and was rewarded by being selected 18th overall by Winnipeg. Stanley has an ankle-breaking shot, immense size and a nasty edge to his game, all of which are coveted assets by Hockey Canada. Points-wise, he is off to a very pedestrian start and while defence and puck-moving ability are his best assets, Canada will be looking for offence from the back end. He should benefit from the fact this year’s WJC will be played in North America on the smaller surface.
Look for Sportsnet’s 2017 NHL Draft Rankings all season long.
7. Brendan Guhle, D, Prince Albert Raiders
Had the Swords not signed Rasmus Ristolainen before the season started, Guhle may very well have made the Sabres opening night lineup as an 18-year old. Ristolainen’s deal coupled with a concussion ultimately sealed his fate. Guhle performed well in the AHL in a short stint after the Raiders season ended last year. He skates extremely well and is very poised, making him a perfect fit for a Team Canada that is expected to push the pace, starting from the back end. The competition for defencemen will be tight, especially since the QMJHL has five legitimate contenders for a spot on Canada’s blueline.
| TEAM WHL | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Pos | Team | Height | Weight | DOB | Hometown |
| Ronning, Ty | RW | Vancouver | 5.09 | 165 | 1997-10-20 | Burnaby, BC, |
| Estephan, Giorgio | C | Lethbridge | 6.00 | 191 | 1997-02-03 | Edmonton, AB, |
| Merkley, Nick | C | Kelowna | 5.11 | 185 | 1997-05-23 | Calgary, AB, |
| Harkins, Jansen | C | Prince George | 6.02 | 195 | 1997-05-23 | North Vancouver, BC, |
| Soy, Tyler | C | Victoria | 6.00 | 171 | 1997-02-10 | Cloverdale, BC, |
| Benson, Tyler | LW | Vancouver | 6.00 | 201 | 1998-03-15 | Edmonton, AB, |
| Patrick, Nolan | C | Brandon | 6.03 | 195 | 1998-09-19 | Winnipeg, MB, |
| Dube, Dillon | C | Kelowna | 5.10 | 180 | 1998-07-20 | Cochrane, AB, |
| Howden, Brett | C | Moose Jaw | 6.02 | 193 | 1998-03-29 | Oakbank, MB, |
| Steel, Sam | C | Regina | 5.11 | 177 | 1998-02-03 | Sherwood Park, AB, |
| Wagner, Austin | LW | Regina | 6.03 | 185 | 1997-06-23 | Calgary, AB, |
| Sideroff, Deven | RW | Kamloops | 6.00 | 183 | 1997-04-14 | Summerland, BC, |
| Juulsen, Noah | D | Everett | 6.03 | 190 | 1997-04-02 | Abbotsford, BC, |
| Guhle, Brendan | D | Prince Albert | 6.03 | 194 | 1997-07-29 | Sherwood Park, AB, |
| Clague, Kale | D | Brandon | 6.00 | 178 | 1998-06-05 | Lloydminster, AB, |
| Foote, Cal | D | Kelowna | 6.04 | 210 | 1998-12-13 | Englewood, CO |
| Wotherspoon, Parker | D | Tri-City | 6.00 | 171 | 1997-08-24 | Surrey, BC, |
| Hobbs, Connor | D | Regina | 6.01 | 196 | 1997-01-04 | Saskatoon, SK, |
| Ingram, Connor | G | Kamloops | 6.01 | 202 | 1997-03-31 | Imperial, SK, |
| Hart, Carter | G | Lethbridge | 6.01 | 177 | 1998-08-13 | Sherwood Park, AB, |
6. Tyler Benson, LW, Vancouver Giants
When Benson was selected first overall in the 2013 WHL bantam draft, most would’ve had him pegged to play as a double underager for Canada at the world juniors last year. He has been a part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence at two U-17s, at the U-18 worlds and the 2015 Ivan Hlinka tournament. The Edmonton Oilers believed in Benson and felt like they got mid first-round value when they got him at 32nd overall last June. Hockey Canada knows what it has in Benson, but now it’s time for him to prove he can dance at the U-20 level.
Vancouver Giants winger Tyler Benson has has 12 points through his first 10 games this season. (Marissa Baecker/Getty)
5. Connor Ingram, G, Kamloops Blazers
A late bloomer, Ingram was outstanding in goal for the Blazers last season, almost single-handedly willing the Blazers by Kelowna in Round 1 of the 2016 playoffs. His fine play not only earned him a selection by Tampa Bay in the 2016 NHL Draft, but also earned him an invite to Canada’s development camp in August. Ingram has shown no signs of letting up to start this season—his record isn’t great, but the save percentage and goals against are up there with the league leaders. The goaltending situation is wide open and it’s a real possibility both keepers will come from the WHL.
4. Nicolas Roy, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
Now into his fourth full season, Roy has established himself as one of the top centres in the league. He led the Q with 48 goals in 2015-16 while also being named as a finalist for best defensive forward. He’s also consistently among the leaders in faceoff percentage. Roy has had strong showings in the past with Hockey Canada and has matured to the point where he is ready to be a contributor at the world juniors.
| QMJHL ROSTER | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Pos | Team | Height | Weight | DOB | Hometown |
| Fontaine, Gabriel | C | Rouyn-Noranda | 6.02 | 194 | 97-04-30 | Sherbrooke, QC, |
| Laberge, Pascal | RW | Victoriaville | 6.01 | 165 | 98-04-09 | Chateauguay, QC, |
| Gauthier, Julien | RW | Val-d’Or | 6.04 | 225 | 97-10-15 | Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC, |
| Dostie, Alex | C | Gatineau | 5.10 | 173 | 97-04-13 | Drummondville, QC, |
| Beaudin, Jean-Christophe | C | Rouyn-Noranda | 6.02 | 187 | 97-03-27 | St-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, |
| Dubois, Pierre-Luc | LW | Cape Breton | 6.03 | 202 | 98-06-24 | Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, QC, |
| Barre-Boulet, Alex | C | Drummondville | 5.10 | 158 | 97-05-21 | Montmagny, QC, |
| Joseph, Mathieu | RW | Saint John | 6.01 | 172 | 97-02-09 | Chambly, QC, |
| Gignac, Brandon | C | Shawinigan | 5.11 | 179 | 97-11-07 | Repentigny, QC, |
| Fortin, Alexandre | LW | Rouyn-Noranda | 6.01 | 176 | 97-02-25 | Laval, QC, |
| Comtois, Maxime | LW | Victoriaville | 6.02 | 200 | 99-01-08 | Longueuil, QC, |
| Roy, Nicolas | C | Chicoutimi | 6.04 | 209 | 97-02-05 | Amos, QC, |
| Lauzon, Jeremy | D | Rouyn-Noranda | 6.03 | 202 | 97-04-28 | Val-d’Or, QC, |
| Myers, Philippe | D | Rouyn-Noranda | 6.05 | 202 | 97-01-25 | Moncton, NB, |
| Brisebois, Guillaume | D | Charlottetown | 6.03 | 190 | 97-07-21 | St-Hilaire, QC, |
| Bourque, Simon | D | Rimouski | 6.01 | 195 | 97-01-12 | Longueuil, QC, |
| Allard, Frederic | D | Chicoutimi | 6.01 | 183 | 97-12-27 | Quebec, QC, |
| Meloche, Nicolas | D | Gatineau | 6.03 | 204 | 97-07-18 | Rosemere, QC, |
| Roy, Jeremy | D | Blainville-Boisbriand | 6.00 | 199 | 97-05-14 | Richelieu, QC, |
| Girard, Samuel | D | Shawinigan | 5.09 | 166 | 98-05-12 | Roberval, QC, |
| Fitzpatrick, Evan | G | Sherbrooke | 6.03 | 206 | 98-01-28 | St. John’s, NL, |
| Booth, Callum | G | Quebec | 6.03 | 187 | 97-05-21 | Montreal, QC, |
3. Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Dubois didn’t quite have quite the training camp he hoped for with Columbus and since his return to Cape Breton is still in adjustment mode, scoring less than a point per game to this juncture. But there isn’t anything in the game Dubois can’t do and has positional versatility working in his favour—he can play as well at centre as left wing. The Canada-Russia series will time out perfectly for Dubois to re-establish his return to CHL stardom.
2. Anthony Cirelli, C, Oshawa Generals
Arguably the most reliable and consistent player at August’s development camp, the Gennies captain is as serviceable a player as there is in the CHL. Cirelli made his name as the hero in the 2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup, scoring both goals, including the overtime winner to defeat the Kelowna Rockets in the championship game. He has great wheels, is good in the faceoff circle and is now starting to score like a top-six forward.
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1. Mathieu Joseph, RW, Saint John Sea Dogs
Joseph had such a strong showing one year ago in this event he should’ve earned an invite to selection camp. When that didn’t happen, the Tampa Bay prospect never broke stride, putting up 22 goals and 52 points with a plus-26 rating over his final 44 games. A lower-body injury limited him to just five playoff games and ultimately was a major reason the Dogs bowed out to Shawinigan in the semi-finals. Joseph is an all-around player who is particularly strong on the penalty kill. He was good while not at 100 percent at the summer development camp.
