Like USA Hockey did yesterday, Hockey Canada has announced their preliminary World Junior Championship roster for the upcoming tournament in Buffalo, NY. The Canadian selection camp will have 32 players in it, but will have to whittle it down before the tournament begins. That group could potentially get a bonus should someone like Nolan Patrick or Victor Mete be sent back from their NHL squads in the next few weeks. The tournament officially begins on December 26th.
The roster is as follows:
G Carter Hart (PHI)
G Michael DiPietro (VAN)
G Colton Point (DAL)
G Samuel Harvey (2018 draft eligible)
D Kale Clague (LAK)
D Cale Makar (COL)
D Dante Fabbro (NSH)
D Jake Bean (CAR)
D Connor Timmins (COL)
D Logan Stanley (WPG)
D Cal Foote (TBL)
D Josh Mahura (ANA)
D Dennis Cholowski (DET)
D Mario Ferraro (SJS)
F Sam Steel (ANA)
F Michael McLeod (NJD)
F Jordan Kyrou (STL)
F Robert Thomas (STL)
F Dillon Dube (CGY)
F Brett Howden (TBL)
F Boris Katchouk (TBL)
F Nick Suzuki (VGK)
F Max Comtois (ANA)
F Alex Formenton (OTT)
F Jonathan Ang (FLA)
F Drake Batherson (OTT)
F Jonah Gadjovich (VAN)
F Cody Glass (VGK)
F Tanner Kaspick (STL)
F Kole Lind (VAN)
F Taylor Raddysh (TBL)
F Tyler Steenbergen (ARI)
The biggest surprises for Team Canada may be in the exclusions. Owen Tippett (FLA), Cliff Pu (BUF), Michael Rasmussen (DET), Adam Mascherin (FLA) and others were all expected to at least receive an invitation to the selection camp, but they will have to watch as their countrymen battle it out for the final spots.
For the first time in a few years, I actually really like Canada’s roster. It seems they’ve finally brought the best available talent as opposed to normally bringing some talent and a bunch of players that play “the Canadian way”. Deep in net, deep on D and some really, really talented forwards. Hopefully they mesh together quickly because if they do, man they’ll be an exciting group to watch.
Hey Doc, are you aware of any reasons as to why Rasmussen was left off of the Canadian roster? We have heard absolutely nothing here in Michigan. Thanks, Brother.
Nothing is being reported but I did a bit of digging and my best guess(and pure speculation) is his age(18) and 5v5 game are what kept him off the roster. It’s really the only thing that makes sense as his even strength game was his one noted weaknesses going into the draft. I’m going to guess he’ll be a featured talent on next year’s team as a 19 year old.
Again Doc, thanks so much for sharing what you know. I am not really savvy with a computer so, it is so much faster to put a question out there. Thank you Brother,as always you have been a big help.
Doc, I’m sorry but can you answer another question for me that I forgot about earlier?
Why do expansion fees differ so much from area to area? I have paid very little attention to this part of the hockey business. Thanks.
No worries PK. Potential Market, league revenues, competition(Seattle, Quebec, Houston, etc) and the success of Vegas and Winnipeg in long term season ticket sales are probably why the NHL is seeking a bigger expansion fee for the next go around.
Thank you once again, Brother.
Yeah, No Matthew Phillips? Muh size!!1!