World Junior Championships 2017: Canada

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.