The completion of the CIBC Canada Russia Series did not mean the end of the road for Hockey Canada’s scouts. The management team comprised of head scout Brad McEwen, Joel Bouchard, and Shawn Bullock will fan out across the country over the next two weeks to get final viewings on players that are on the bubble for earning an invite to world junior camp which will be held in Niagara, Ont., from Dec. 12-15.
Of the nine players eligible to return, it’s likely only seven of them will be there when the tournament opens on Dec. 26 in Buffalo, N.Y. Pierre-Luc Dubois looks to be solid in Columbus, while Tyson Jost was just reassigned to San Antonio in the AHL which could be considered a conditioning assignment. Other NHLers that are of age to play are Montreal Canadiens defenceman Victor Mete, Colorado Avalanche defenceman Samuel Girard and Philadelphia Flyers forward Nolan Patrick, none of whom seem likely to be released by their NHL clubs.
Operating on the assumption the seven returning players (Carter Hart, Jake Bean, Kale Clague, Dante Fabbro, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod and Taylor Raddysh) make the team, we’ll turn our focus to positions. One goalie, four defenceman and 10 forward spots will be open.
With that in mind, the series did provide some clarity in terms of age groups and leagues. Of the seven underage players (born in late 1999 or 2000), three of them would be in consideration for an invite. There will be internal discussions on the core group as traditionally, the tournament is best suited for 19-year-olds, but there’s more talent in the 1999-born group.
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While the series isn’t the be-all and end-all for making decisions, it provided a good gauge as the pace was much higher than regular CHL play. Offensively, players are asked to make quick, skilled decisions in tight spaces, while defensively, it stresses that defencemen move the puck quickly as the Russians were structured and not afraid to forecheck.
As for the leagues, the WHL is strongest in the 1998 group and will be represented well on the final roster. The OHL has a talented group of 1999-born players, though is not quite as deep as the WHL on the back-end, while goalie Michael DiPietro is considered the front-runner for the backup job. The QMJHL will likely have as many members invited to camp as they had on last year’s final roster (seven). 1998 and 1999 are not strong years in the QMJHL, but the 2000s will a big part of Canada’s roster in 2019 and 2020.
There is no denying McEwen’s talent-evaluating abilities. He’s been successful at every stop in his career. In Hockey Canada circles he comes in with no track record or pre-conceived notions and that’s refreshing. As for the management group, Bullock replaces Scott Salmond, whose attention has been with Canada’s Olympic team. Bullock has a good grip on the group, but hasn’t had significant input into the under-20 program in recent times. As for Joel Bouchard, he’s not afraid to think outside the box and he’s been brilliant in putting together consistently competitive teams in Blainville-Boisbriand.
At closer glance, here are a few players that made an impression over the course of the six-game CIBC Canada Russia Series.
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Goaltending
Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips): He faced only 20 shots in his lone game in the series, he stopped five breakaways and faced shots intermittently, yet remained poised and extremely focused. Just four Canadian goalies in the 15 years of the series have started two games in the same year.
Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies): Played so well in a Game 1 win in the QMJHL, that Hockey Canada decided to give him a second look in Game 2 and he did not disappoint. As a 19-year old who has had a fantastic year in regular-season play, he may very well have leveraged the series into a camp invite.
Defence
Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings): Looks like a pro, he controlled the play in all three zones and is a big asset on the power play with his ability to walk the line and newfound scoring touch. Equally as impressive was…
Connor Timmins (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds): He paced the play in the OHL’s 4-2 win in Owen Sound. Timmins was excellent in his own end, extremely efficient breaking pucks out and he has an offensive flair about him.
Noah Dobson (Acadie Bathurst Titan): Nobody has turned more heads than Dobson when it comes to the 2018 NHL Draft. Thought of as a surefire first-round pick, he now looks like a top-10 pick. He played a regular even-strength shift, but was trusted late in periods and did see some time on the penalty kill as well, which is a lot of responsibility for an underaged player.
Cal Foote (Kelowna Rockets): A player with so many subtleties in his game that he needs to be watched closely to properly appreciate just how good he is. He was able to adjust from Game 1 to Game 2 so swiftly and easily that should play well in a short-term event.
Sean Durzi (Owen Sound Attack): Played as if he was playing in a regular-season game. He may not have enough track record, but he is the OHL’s leading defenceman scorer for a reason and he’s 19.
Forwards
Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets): Stood out with his speed, and puck-handling abilities. He showed smarts with his shot selection.
Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets): Looks like he will be able to transition from pesky bottom sixer to top-line producer.
Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans): Despite playing one game without his own gear, Rasmussen showed his dominance as a larger player with great skating abilities and high hockey IQ.
Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds): A force, whose frantic game will play in any role. He can impact a game in a lot of different ways.
Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes): He lives in relative obscurity in Peterborough, but was highly effective. His speed game plays right into Hockey Canada’s strategy. Same can be said for…
Alex Formenton (London Knights): As a younger player, should be able to adjust to a bottom-six, energy/PK role.
Joe Veleno (Saint John Sea Dogs) Played two strong games. He played in all situations and was effective with speed, creativity and a bit of bite.
Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres): If he brings it every shift as he did over two games, there’s no reason to think he can’t be considered in a power forward role.
Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles): I believe he did enough over two games, that combined with his regular season play should garner plenty of invite consideration.
Expect the invite list to be announced by Hockey Canada on or around Dec. 1.