By Patrick King, Sportsnet.ca
As Hockey Canada unveiled the 22-man roster which will try to win their fourth-consecutive gold medal at the world junior championships in the Czech Republic, Sportsnet.ca takes a look at each player who made the team and identifies what role they might fill.
Forwards
Zach Boychuk, Center/Wing
Lethbridge Hurricanes
NHL rights: Eligible 2008
2007-2008 stats: 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 34 games
Prognosis: Boychuk is a master of all trades but specializes in the offensive zone with terrific playmaking abilities and a pinpoint accurate shot. Projected as a surefire first-rounder in the NHL draft, Boychuk should see time on the power play and penalty kill. He has great speed and skating ability and could be an offensive catalyst on this team. Boychuk will be relied on to play a defensive role as he practised on the shutdown line with Brandon Sutter and Stefan Legein prior to leaving for Europe.
Colton Gillies, Center/Wing
Saskatoon Blades
NHL rights: Minnesota Wild
2007-2008 stats: 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in 26 games played
Prognosis: The big, bruising forward will predominantly play a defensive role on this year’s team and might not see much ice time outside of the fourth line and penalty kill. Gillies displayed some offensive instincts at the selection camp in Calgary but falls down the depth chart offensively.
Claude Giroux, Right Wing
Gatineau Olympiques
NHL rights: Philadelphia Flyers
2007-2008 stats: 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points in 32 games played
Prognosis: Giroux will be relied upon to provide the bulk of the offence for this year’s team and will more than likely be flanking Turris’ right side. Giroux is more of a playmaker than a sniper but has the ability to put the puck in the net. He could be among the tournament scoring leaders as he should have a lot of assists.
Matt Halischuk, Right Wing
Kitchener Rangers
NHL rights: New Jersey Devils
2007-2008 stats: 12 goals and 35 assists for 47 points in 31 games played
Prognosis: Halischuk is the ideal penalty-killing forward. His versatility makes him such as a special player as he can shut down opposing team’s top forwards and produce offensively when given the chance. Fans will love his penalty-killing presence as his hockey sense is top-notch.
Riley Holzapfel, Center/Wing
Moose Jaw Warriors
NHL rights: Atlanta Thrashers
2007-2008 stats: 10 goals and five assists for 15 points in 23 games played
Prognosis: The Moose Jaw Warriors’ captain was a bit of a surprise pick to make the team and likely won’t see much time in the tournament. Holzapfel will either round out the fourth line or will be the 13th forward on this year’s team.
Stefan Legein, Right Wing
Niagara IceDogs
NHL rights: Columbus Blue Jackets
2007-2008 stats: 17 goals and 10 assists for 27 points in 23 games played
Prognosis: Legein is a gritty, in-your-face style of player who can get opposing players off their game through physical intimidation and trash talking. In addition to his ability to play the perfect pest, Legein also possesses a sniper’s touch around the net and has terrific defensive awareness. He will likely have a big role on this year’s team, playing in all situations similar to the role Steve Downie played for Canada last year.
Brad Marchand, Center/Wing
Val-d’Or Foreurs
NHL rights: Boston Bruins
2007-2008 stats: 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points in 33 games played
Prognosis: One of only two returning players (the other is defenceman Karl Alzner), Marchand should have a big role on this year’s team and could play on Kyle Turris’ left wing on the top line. Marchand is a gifted scorer who’s not afraid to crash the net and plays with a chip on his shoulder. A lot will be expected from Marchand in his second tournament and he should produce big numbers.
Shawn Matthias, Center/Wing
Belleville Bulls
NHL rights: Florida Panthers
2007-2008 stats: 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points in 30 games played
Prognosis: Matthias will feel right at home on the larger ice surface as his home rink in Belleville is Olympic-sized. Matthias brings plenty of size with his imposing frame and has shown the ability to play in all three zones. He will be given a big role on this year’s team playing on the second line with Steven Stamkos and Matt Halischuk and should produce with the gifted Stamkos.
Wayne Simmonds, RW
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
NHL rights: Los Angeles Kings
2007-2008 stats: 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 32 games played
Prognosis: Like Holzapfel, Simmonds will more than likely be a fourth-liner or even the 13th forward on the team. Simmonds was highly sought after in the Ontario Hockey League as was recently traded to Craig Hartsburg’s Soo Greyhounds. His work ethic is fantastic and if given the chance, he could put some points on the board in the tournament.
Steven Stamkos, Center
Sarnia Sting
NHL rights: Eligible 2008
2007-2008 stats: 30 goals and 21 assists for 51 points in 32 games played
Prognosis: The projected top pick in this summer’s NHL draft, Stamkos was easily one of the best players at the selection camp in Calgary. Despite only being 17-years old, Stamkos should have a big role on this year’s team as he is responsible in all ends of the ice, has blazing speed and uncanny offensive abilities. Look for Stamkos to play on the second line in the tournament.
Brandon Sutter, Center
Red Deer Rebels
NHL rights: Carolina Hurricanes
2007-2008 stats: 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 33 games played
Prognosis: The son of New Jersey Devils head coach Brent Sutter, Brandon will play the shutdown center’s role perfectly on this year’s team. Sutter played on a line with Legein during the selection camp and the two complement each other very well on the ice. Look for Sutter to be jumping over the boards late in games and whenever Canada is on the penalty kill.
John Tavares, Center
Oshawa Generals
NHL rights: Eligible 2009
2007-2008 stats: 24 goals and 44 assists for 68 points in 30 games played
Prognosis: The Canadian Hockey League’s player of the year made the team in his second try. Although his defensive game has improved over last year, chances are Tavares will play in a reduced role on this year’s team. Tavares will likely start the tournament on the fourth line and power play much like Sam Gagner did last year as a 17-year-old. However, if Tavares gains some confidence and produces offensively he could move up to the second line.
Kyle Turris, Center
Wisconsin Badgers
NHL rights: Phoenix Coyotes
2007-2008 stats: seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 16 games played
Prognosis: Remember Jonathan Toews at last year’s tournament? Turris will be the player taking over Toews’ role as the top line center. Turris is one of the most gifted natural scorers on the team but will see the added ice time due to his fantastic defensive awareness. He will play in every situation and log more than 20 minutes each game in this year’s tournament and could be the tournament’s top forward.
Defencemen
Karl Alzner, D
Calgary Hitmen
NHL rights: Washington Capitals
2007-2008 stats: four goals and 15 assists for 19 points in 33 games played
Prognosis: Perhaps only outmatched by Schenn in terms of smarts and hockey sense, Alzner will play in every situation on this year’s team after playing in a reduced role last year. As one of only two returning players, Alzner will have a big leadership role on the team. He has terrific skating ability which will be an advantage on the big ice surface and should produce offensively. Alzner will also likely need to provide a physical presence on this team as the majority of the defencemen on this team’s forte is their skating and puck-carrying ability.
Drew Doughty, D
Guelph Storm
NHL rights: Eligible 2008
2007-2008 stats: seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 30 games played
Prognosis: Doughty is one of many defencemen on this team who are smart with the puck and he has great offensive instincts as he was once a forward. Dougthy played the entire camp on a pairing with Alzner and will likely play in a shutdown role with Alzner. In addition to his role on the shutdown pair, look for Doughty to produce offensively on the power play due to his elite vision.
Josh Godfrey, D
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
NHL rights: Washington Capitals
2007-2008 stats: 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points in 32 games played
Prognosis: Godfrey will most likely be part of the third pair of defenceman or even the seventh defenceman on this team. His biggest asset is unquestionably his cannon-like slapshot which is used predominantly on the power play. Godfrey’s slapshot will give the Canadian team an advantage on the power play as opposing teams will need to play one forward high which should open up lanes down low.
Thomas Hickey, D
Seattle Thunderbirds
NHL rights: Los Angeles Kings
2007-2008 stats: seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 30 games played
Prognosis: Hickey will have a big role on this year’s team on the second pairing with Luke Schenn. Hickey, the fourth overall pick last summer by L.A., is a natural leader who brings poise and great decision-making abilities. He should see some time on the power play and given how the tournament plays out, could form the top shutdown duo with Schenn if they prove more capable than the pairing of Alzner and Doughty.
Logan Pyett, D
Regina Pats
NHL rights: Detroit Red Wings
2007-2008 stats: 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 35 games played
Prognosis: Pyett will likely be the fifth defenceman on this team on a pairing with either Subban or Godfrey. Pyett is a strong puck-carrying defenceman who provides a good first pass out of his zone and has the ability to hit the open man on the stretch pass to create breakaways.
Luke Schenn, D
Kelowna Rockets
NHL rights: Eligible 2008
2007-2008 stats: five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 31 games played
Prognosis: Schenn might be the best all-around defenceman on this team and is a lock for the top five for this summer’s draft. Schenn’s defensive awareness is pro-caliber and he will be the main defenceman used in all key defensive situations. He will likely need to provide the bulk of the physical play from the back-end as his physical presence is also strong. Look for him to also figure in on the offence on the power play. Schenn should be a candidate for the tournament all-star team and top defenceman award.
P.K. Subban, D
Belleville Bulls
NHL rights: Montreal Canadiens
2007-2008 stats: six goals and 22 assists for 28 points in 30 games played
Prognosis: Could find his way on the third pair and should see some time on the power play but won’t likely play much outside of special teams and as the seventh defenceman.
Goaltenders
Jonathan Bernier, G
Lewiston MAINEiacs
NHL rights: Los Angeles Kings
2007-2008 stats: 2.95 goals against average and 0.903 save percentage in 15 games played
Prognosis: Team Canada won’t disclose the starter until shortly before the tournament opens but many think it will be Bernier. He was the key piece to the MAINEiacs team last season that went to the Memorial Cup as Lewiston wouldn’t have won the league title without him. Bernier’s foot-speed is quicker than a stopwatch can function. He has strong positioning but has the ability to recover from any mistakes given his quickness.
Steve Mason, G
London Knights
NHL rights: Columbus Blue Jackets
2007-2008 stats: 2.79 goals against average and 0.916 save percentage in 26 games played
Prognosis: In all honesty, Team Canada can’t go wrong with either of these two goaltenders as their starter. It’s hard to imagine where the London Knights would be if it weren’t for Mason who has been absolutely spectacular this season in the OHL. Like Bernier, Mason thrives on playing in big-game situations and is great at holding a lead for his team regardless of the shot count.
