Hockey Canada’s 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship selection camp continued on Wednesday night with a game against the U Sports All-Stars in Oakville, Ont. Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino was there as Canada defeated the U Sports All-Stars. Here are some of his takeaways from the entire day of camp.
4 More: Four players took to the ice in the morning session. Aidan Dudas continues to work with Alan Letang. Most of the focus was on edgework, while Dudas recovers from injury. Liam Foudy, Ty Dellandrea and Jacob Bernard-Docker were working on shooting drills, mostly one-timers.
JBD 1: I didn’t realize how hard Ottawa prospect Bernard-Docker can shoot. When asked about it after practice, he said forearm strength is the key. He squeezes the old school spring-loaded, two-handled device regularly.
JBD 2: He also enlisted the help of Adam Nicholas in Calgary over the summer.
JBD 3: And finally, he watched guys like Auston Matthews. One thing he took from Matthews is dragging the puck to the opposite foot to create deception in his shot.
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No Lexi: Alexis Lafreniere did not take to the ice, but was riding the bike while watching the four players go through their paces.
Scratches: Aside from the four players who took to the ice in the morning, the other scratches for the first game included Lafreniere and Ty Smith.
Dressers: Team Canada dressed eight defencemen and 13 forwards, one over the eligible IIHF limit, but the game was not sanctioned by the IIHF.
Mighty Q: Quinton Byfield impressed all game long and assistant Andre Tourigny praised his size, speed and skill combination. He finished with one assist, but didn’t once look out of place with all of the older players on the ice.
Foote Shelf: Nolan Foote scored Canada’s first goal of the shootout going backhand shelf on Hunter Jones. He surprised himself when he said, “I normally shoot.”
What’s up, Coz? Dylan Cozens felt it important to show up to the summer showcase despite being unable to suit up due to injury suffered in Buffalo’s development camp. He felt it important to get to know the players and the staff.
Hunter of the Hunted? Several media members have been trying to find out what head coach Dale Hunter is all about. Player after player has been asked about him, whether it’s his demeanour or what he’s like in the room or during games. When Byfield was asked if there had been any funny exchanges with Hunter he said, “We had a bit of a laugh on the bench after my shootout.” One in which Byfield lost the handle.
Look Up Q: Byfield was also told by Hunter to check the rafters in Sudbury to see if his number is retired. Hunter played his junior days in the Nickel City.
Q Move Over: Byfield, a centreman with his Sudbury team was lined up on the wing next to Dylan Cozens and Nolan Foote. Byfield said, “I don’t mind it actually, draws aren’t my strongest… I felt pretty good on wing.”
Easy Mik: Former Niagara IceDog Mikkel Aagaard surprised everyone in the shootout when he took a full wind-up from inside between the hashmarks and went top shelf to beat Nico Daws.
B.S.: The most pleasant surprise of the night was Brandon’s Braden Schneider, who Tourigny praised for having underrated stick and puck skills. Schneider has the reputation as a stay-at-home defenceman, but played all facets of the game at a high level Wednesday night.
Keepers: According to Tourigny, no one goalie stood out. “All four were solid.”
Graham’s Night: The opening ceremony honoured the late Graham Sirman, who passed unexpectedly in October. His family was on hand for the ceremonial puck drop. I briefly met his wife Allison and sons William and Thomas after the game. Class acts. Graham had been instrumental in building previous U Sports all-star teams, so it was more than fitting he was honoured Wednesday night. I had previously called a game with William while he was in Charlottetown, and son Thomas spent Tuesday night playing in the GTHL Prospects game.
Eyes for Benny: U Sports star Kris Bennett, a former OHLer with Saginaw, drew the eyes of some of the many scouts in attendance.
Who Knew? Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Slater Koekkoek’s sister Madison is a Hockey Canada employee.
