With the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships beginning in three weeks to the day, teams are beginning to prepare for the second version of the tournament in just five months due to COVID. Organizations are already starting to release their first edition of rosters for the tournament, with USA Hockey doing so earlier today. Hockey Canada joined them minutes ago, releasing their list of 29 players invited to their World Junior Championship Selection Camp.
The organization will need to make six cuts before the tournament, but their camp selections are as follows:
F Caedan Bankier – Kamloops, WHL (MIN 86th overall, 2021)
F Owen Beck – Mississauga, OHL (MTL 33rd overall, 2022)
F Connor Bedard – Regina, WHL (2023 draft-eligible)
F Zachary Bolduc – Québec, QMJHL (STL 17th overall, 2021)
F Colton Dach – Kelowna, WHL (CHI 62nd overall, 2021)
F Zach Dean – Gatineau, QMJHL (VGK 30th overall, 2021)
F Jordan Dumais – Halifax, QMJHL (CBJ 96th overall, 2022)
F Adam Fantilli – Michigan, NCAA (2023 draft-eligible)
F Nathan Gaucher – Québec, QMJHL (ANA 22nd overall, 2022)
F Ryan Greene – Boston University, NCAA (CHI 57th overall, 2022)
F Riley Kidney – Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL (MTL 63rd overall, 2021)
F Zack Ostapchuk – Vancouver, WHL (OTT 39th overall, 2021)
F Brennan Othmann – Peterborough, OHL (NYR 16th overall, 2021)
F Joshua Roy – Sherbrooke, QMJHL (MTL 150th overall, 2021)
F Reid Schaefer – Seattle, WHL (EDM 32nd overall, 2022)
F Logan Stankoven – Kamloops, WHL (DAL 47th overall, 2021)
D Nolan Allan – Seattle, WHL (CHI 32nd overall, 2021)
D Ethan Del Mastro – Mississauga, OHL (CHI 105th overall, 2021)
D Tyson Hinds – Sherbrooke, QMJHL (ANA 76th overall, 2021)
D Kevin Korchinski – Seattle, WHL (CHI 7th overall, 2022)
D Carson Lambos – Winnipeg, WHL (MIN 26th overall, 2021)
D Jack Matier – Ottawa, OHL (NSH 124th overall, 2021)
D Evan Nause – Québec, QMJHL (FLA 56th overall, 2021)
D Ethan Samson – Prince George, WHL (PHI 174th overall, 2021)
D Olen Zellweger – Everett, WHL (ANA 34th overall, 2021)
G Tyler Brennan – Prince George, WHL (NJD 102nd overall, 2022)
G Benjamin Gaudreau – Sarnia, OHL (SJS 81st overall, 2021)
G Thomas Milic – Seattle, WHL (undrafted)
G William Rousseau – Québec, QMJHL (undrafted)
While Shane Wright is noticeably absent from this roster, all it means is that the Kraken have yet to loan him to Team Canada. Wright is eligible to play in the tournament as long as he is loaned to Canada by December 25.
Connor Bedard…Where I have heard that name before? I’ll come to me as soon as I shake Rusanowsky’s voice out of the cobwebs…
Errata — IT will come to me…damn Rusanowsky! He’s going to be saying, “Oh, No!” a lot this year.
No Wright, must be wrong !
@Johnny Z—The Azzkrapen are waiting on Hockey Canada’s agreed loan payment for Wright—A coveted Sopwith Camel, in mint condition, piloted by a famous dog. ;)
I’m assuming Dylan Guenther must also be loaned by Arizona — same as Wright — if the Coyotes so choose?
@Jplane—I found this while searching for an answer for you — link to dailyfaceoff.com
At first, I wasn’t sure of Steven Ellis, the author, but then saw the site name.
Correct!
I think if it’s a team with any form of playoff aspiration, Guenther doesn’t get loaned. He’s been way too good.
By *any* form, I mean like, a 1.5% chance
@Josh—Now you’ve done it! They won’t let you within a mile of the Moo-lay ice barn, just off the Superstition. But, maybe that Godfather’s Pizza *might* still be a short drive south-ish. At least Plan B is appetizing! :)
@Josh—Too much chaff and not enough wheat in my searches for that Godfather’s. You might have to settle for the All-You-Can-Eat Tuna Casserole Buffet in Apache Junction.
@Josh oh man, Canucks are loving that OEL trade! Thanks Benning!!
Put Bedard on a line with Stankoven and Bankier to build that chemistry for the eventual trade to Kamloops! Give ‘em all the picks! Get it done! A guy can dream right? Lol.