Jeff Marek hosts Sportsnet’s weekly CHL podcast, a one-stop shop for news, analysis, opinion and interviews covering the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. Sam Cosentino, the CHL’s top analyst/insider, joins Marek each week to discuss the latest from around the league, as do newsmakers from across the CHL. Couple that with NHLers remembering their days in junior hockey and regular updates on the latest risers and fallers for the NHL Draft, and there’s really nowhere else fans need to go.
On a special edition of the podcast, Jeff and Sam have a massive preview of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.
They kick off the show by going deep on Team Canada, breaking down the roster position by position: Will the goalies hold up? What are the ramifications of having just one right-shot defenceman? And what will a young forward group mean to the team’s fortunes?
Guests from the Canadian braintrust include head coach Dave Lowry and vice president of hockey operations Scott Salmond, who talk about the selection process in general, what their priorities are to prepare for the tournament and what type of game they expect Canada to play.
Later in the show, Team USA head coach Ron Wilson joins Jeff and Sam to discuss top 2016 NHL Draft prospect Auston Matthews, who his linemates will be and the rest of his squad’s makeup.
And longtime CHL coach and executive Sherry Bassin—one of the original leaders in sending an all-star squad to the world juniors—stops by to remember his history with the Canadian program, discuss this year’s tournament and more.
All of that plus a comprehensive breakdown of all the medal contenders and other CHL stars fans should watch for while they play for their countries.