After having a couple weeks to digest the Subway Super Series and spend some time with Hockey Canada’s staff responsible for the 2012 world junior team, I’ve finally been able to draw up my own conclusions as to who will be selected to represent Canada beginning Boxing Day.
With limited knowledge of who may be available to Canada from the NCAA ranks, I’ve set my sights on selecting those from the CHL. I’ll leave one spot open for forward Jaden Schwartz, one of three returnees from last year. That leaves 39 spots (Four goalies, 12 defencemen, and 23 forwards) open for those from the CHL.
Let’s keep in mind, there’s a few bodies missing that are playing in the NHL. Jeff Skinner of Carolina and Tyler Seguin of the Boston Bruins are both still eligible to play this year, but they’re too busy putting up big numbers in the show. There are a few others, however.
Starting with the least likely to return, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has more than a point per game for the Oilers. Sean Couturier has played in all situations, and has eight points with an impressive plus-8 rating in 23 games. Brett Connolly has averaged just over 13 minutes per game and has eight points and is a plus-2 in 22 games with the Lightning. He’s gained confidence since learning he was going to remain in Tampa Bay.
But here’s where it gets a little dicey. Anaheim’s Devante Smith-Pelly has averaged 10:27 of ice time per game and has been big killing penalties, but is that enough to keep him around? He would be a nice fit with his size and goal scoring ability. By all accounts, he was spectacular at the summer development camp.
Ryan Johansen is on a lackluster Columbus team that is going nowhere in the standings, and regardless of numbers and minutes I feel his development could only be enhanced be instantly becoming Canada’s top centre and a leader.
Lastly and maybe most likely to return is 19-year-old defenceman Erik Gudbranson. Although he was told he was going to stick with Florida, he’s been a healthy scratch on six occasions and when playing he’s averaged 11:53 minutes per game. He has yet to record a point and is a minus-6 in 17 games. Not to mention, the Panthers are in first place in the Southeast Division with limited contributions from their big prospect.
Hockey Canada did get some good news when the Wild sent Brett Bulmer back to his junior team in Kelowna, but even he is no lock to make the cut.
And let’s keep in mind some of the injured players. Projected top-10 pick in 2012 Morgan Rielly was likely to attend but was too injured to be invited. Moose Jaw hopes to have him back sometime in late spring, but even that is unlikely. Hurricanes first-rounder Ryan Murphy hasn’t played since Nov. 4. Highly-touted blueliner Ryan Murray hasn’t played since Oct. 19, although he’s expected back this week. Jonathan Huberdeau has been out since Nov. 6, but he too is expected back in the second week of December or maybe even just in time for the start of Hockey Canada’s selection camp on Dec. 11.
Now for the meat and potatoes.
Goalies:
Mark Visentin- Niagara
Scott Wedgewood- Plymouth
Tyler Bunz- Medicine Hat
Ty Rimmer- Tri City
Injury Replacement: JP Anderson- Mississauga
Defencemen:
Dougie Hamilton- Niagara
Jamie Oleksiak- Saginaw
Brandon Gormley- Moncton
Mark Pysyk- Edmonton
Stuart Percy- Mississauga
Alex Petrovic- Red Deer
Cody Ceci- Ottawa
Ryan Murray- Everett
Duncan Siemens- Saskatoon
Slater Koekkoek- Peterborough
Nathan Beaulieu- Saint John
Ryan Murphy- Kichener
Injury Replacement: Ryan Pulock- Brandon
Forwards:
Quinton Howden- Moose Jaw
Jaden Schwartz- NCAA
Brad Ross- Portland
Mark Scheifele- Barrie
Brett Bulmer- Kelowna
Jonathan Huberdeau- Saint John
Tyler Toffoli- Ottawa
Ryan Spooner- Kingston
Freddie Hamilton- Niagara
Brendan Gallagher- Vancouver
Max Reinhart- Kootenay
Mark Stone- Brandon
Gregg McKegg- Erie
Mark McNeil- Prince Albert
Christian Thomas- Oshawa
Ty Rattie- Portland
Nathan MacKinnon- Halifax
Brett Ritchie- Sarnia
Tanner Pearson- Barrie
Phillipe Danault- Victoriaville
Ryan Strome- Niagara
Michael Sgarbossa- Sudbury
Sean Monahan- Ottawa
Michael Bournival- Shawinigan
Injury Replacements: Michael Ferland- Brandon, Josh Nicholls- Saskatoon, Colton Scissons- Kelowna
The official announcement comes tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Don’t forget, we’ll have all of Canada’s games live on the Sportsnet 590 The FAN:
Monday, Dec. 26 – 3:00 p.m. vs. Finland Wednesday
Dec. 28 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Czech Republic
Thursday, Dec. 29 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Denmark
Saturday, Dec. 31 – 7:30 p.m. vs. USA
*Quarterfinals – Monday, Jan. 2 – 4:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
Semifinals – Tuesday, Jan. 3 – 4:30 p.m. AND 8:30 p.m.
*Bronze medal game – Thursday, Jan. 5 – 3:00 p.m.
Gold medal game – Thursday, Jan. 5 – 7:30 p.m.
*FAN will only carry if Canada is playing
*All times listed are EST
In the meantime, tune in to Friday Night Hockey on Sportsnet ONE when the Ottawa 67’s play host to the Windsor Spitfires.