Canada’s World Junior Championship coach Benoit Groulx says this QMJHL roster is designed to give some younger players international experience. The ’95-born age group in Quebec produced one of the Q’s most fruitful draft classes, while the ’96 group represented a down year in the league. Those fortunes should once again hit an uptick with those born in 1997.
Overall, Team QMJHL is 12-7-3 all-time against Russia, and if it’s to improve on that this year it will start with the team’s undoubted strength: goaltending. World junior incumbent Zachary Fucale should be a camp invitee, but by no means is his position a lock. Philippe Desrosiers has all-world talent and there wasn’t a better goalie in his age group when he won gold with Canada at the 2013 World U-18 Championships. However, he didn’t even earn a roster spot in the 2013 Subway Super Series as a result of inconsistent play and attitudinal issues.
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The most fascinating element to the QMJHL portion of the Series is the players who won’t be here. Jonathan Drouin was recently scratched and his minutes are waning in Tampa Bay. Meanwhile Anthony Duclair is averaging 12:28 minutes/game and has 6 points in 13 games with the New York Rangers. Both players would be key additions to Canada’s WJC squad.
2014 World Junior Championship returnees
Frederik Gauthier, C, Rimouski Oceanic (Toronto, 21st in 2013)
Zachary Fucale, G, Halifax (Montreal, 36th in 2013)
Likely to earn an invite to 2015 WJC camp
Samuel Morin, D, Rimouski Oceanic (Philadelphia, 11th in 2013). He has amazing size, is a rink-rat and would’ve been an invite lock, but a broken jaw forced him out of the lineup. He should be ready to go once camp gets underway.
Laurent Dauphin, C, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (Arizona, 39th in 2013). He is extremely versatile, doesn’t rattle easily and can play up and down a lineup. He also never gets his just-due.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel, C/RW, Val d’Or Foreurs If he brings his MasterCard Memorial Cup game to the table, he will make things difficult for Hockey Canada. It may be a challenge depending on his health after a knee-on-knee hit a week or so ago.
Highest Drafted Players
Samuel Morin, D, Rimouski Oceanic; Philadelphia, 11th in 2013
Zachary Fucale, G, Halifax Mooseheadsl Montreal 36th in 2013
Nicolas Aube-Kubel, C/RW, Val d’Or Foreurs; Philadelphia, 48th in 2014
What to Watch For
Younger players who go into these games relaxed as a result of thinking they are already on the outside looking in.
This team should mirror the style of its intense coach, Groulx, and play a tight-checking, in-your-face game.
Systematic play similar to what’s been seen across the WHL and the OHL. Look for the QMJHL to establish a physical presence to open up room for the more skilled players.
Under the Radar
Philippe Desrosiers, G, Rimouski Oceanic (Dallas, 54th in 2013) In April of 2013 he was in the conversation as the best goalie in the world in his age group.
Alexandre Carrier, D, Gatineau Olympiques (2015 draft eligible) No one knows him better than Benoit Groulx, who’s also Gatineau’s coach and GM. Carrier added weight and strength in the summer. Even with 22 poonts already this season, his game is understated.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW, C Shawinigan Cataractes (2015 draft eligible) He has huge offensive upside. He plays hard and with swagger, and the age issue shouldn’t be a factor in getting a long look at WJC camp.
Interesting Story Lines
For the first time in the 12-year history of the event, the Subway Super Series hangs in the balances going into the QMJHL games.
Samuel Morin, Jeremy Gregoire, Nicolas Aube-Kubel are all serious contenders for a WJC camp invite pending their respective injury issues.
There’s no better WJC audition than playing in front of two of Hockey Canada’s coaching staff (Groulx and assistant coach Martin Raymond)