Team Canada
Head Coach: Dominique Ducharme
Assistant Coaches: Tim Hunter, Kris Knoblauch, Misha Donskov
Captains: Dylan Strome (C- Erie Otters), Mathew Barzal (A-Seattle Thunderbirds) , Thomas Chabot (A-Saint John Sea Dogs)
2016 Finish: Lost in the Quarterfinals to Finland
Wild Prospects: None
Forwards:
Dylan Strome - Erie Otters
Mathew Barzal - Seattle Thunderbirds
Anthony Cirelli - Oshawa Generals
Dillon Dubé - Kelowna Rockets
Pierre-Luc Dubois - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Julien Gauthier - Val-d'Or Foreurs
Mathieu Joseph - Saint John Sea Dogs
Tyson Jost - University of North Dakota
Michael McLeod - Mississauga Steelheads
Taylor Raddysh - Erie Otters
Nicolas Roy - Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Blake Speers - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Mitchell Stephens - Saginaw Spirit
Defensemen:
Jake Bean - Calgary Hitmen
Thomas Chabot - Saint John Sea Dogs
Kale Clague - Brandon Wheat Kings
Dante Fabbro - Boston University
Noah Juulsen - Everett Silvertips
Jeremy Lauzon - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Philippe Myers - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Goalies:
Carter Hart - Everett Silvertips
Connor Ingram - Kamloops Blazers
Preliminary Schedule
Monday, December 26th - Canada vs Russia - 6:00pm Central - Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Tuesday, December 27th - Canada vs Slovakia - 6:00pm Central - Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Thursday, December 29th - Latvia vs Canada - 6:00pm Central - Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Saturday, December 31st - USA vs Canada - 2:30pm Central - Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Team Notes
Canada often dominates international competitions, but at last year’s World Junior Championships, Canada lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual tournament winner, Finland. After that dissapointment for Canada and five returning players, you can expect Team Canada will be highly motivated to win it all this year.
Every player on Canada’s roster is already a NHL prospect, and that certainly shows in their forward lines. While there aren’t necessarily any superstars among the thirteen forwards, they still have plenty of offensive talent including two third overall picks in Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois and the current OHL point leader, Taylor Raddish. Furthermore, Canada’s offensive talent doesn’t drop much as you go down the lineup, and their scoring should be well balanced during the tournament.
Defensively, there are a few more question marks. Thomas Chabot is the only returning defender, and the overall lack of experience could be a detriment throughout the tournament. Luckily for Canada, they have two of the best goaltenders in the WHL to back them up. Ingram leads the league in save percentage with .935 and Hart is right behind him with .928.
Even in the more competitve Group B, which also includes Russia and the USA, Canada has a good shot at winning the group and setting themselves up for success in the quarterfinals.
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