My Team Canada for 2012 WJC
We are getting near the time of the exciting, annual World Junior Championships which is taking place in Edmonton and Calgary in 2012.
2011 saw the Canadians in their tenth consecutive appearance in the final against a Russian team looking for revenge, where they had lost three straight gold medals to Canada.
A little early I know, but I would like to give my account on who suits up for Team Canada in 2012. I also have to weigh in the fact that certain NHL rookies like Couturier and Nugent-Hopkins, who are eligible for the roster, will more than likely not be granted permission to play, but this is all speculation at the moment as to whether their respective teams will allow them to participate or not.
This team is not as ‘star studded’ as in previous years but very hard-working and talented nonetheless. Below, I have discussed my reasoning on why I have selected these players.
Goaltenders
Tyler Bunz (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Louis Domingue (Quebec Remparts)
Defence
Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips)
Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs)
Nathan Beaulieu (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67′s)
Joe Morrow (Portland Winterhawks)
Ryan Murphy (Kitchener Rangers)
Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats)
Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Freddie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs)
Ryan Strome (Niagara IceDogs)
Ryan Spooner (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College)
Mark Scheifele (Barrie Colts)
Matthew Bisssonnette (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)
Quinton Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Ty Rattie (Portland Winterhawks)
Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67′s)
Boone Jenner (Oshawa Generals)
Zack Phillips (Saint John Sea Dogs)
Mark Stone (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Goaltenders
Team Canada probably boasts one of, if not, the best goalie set-up in Juniors today. Tyler Bunz is one of the hottest goalies in the WHL and will thrive on playing in front of his potential future home crowd as an Oilers prospect (that is if any Canadian games will be played in the smaller Rexall Arena). Bunz, for me, would get number 1 duties. He has excellent mobility and superb composure.
Louis Domingue is a consistently great goalie in the QMJHL and is having another good season so far in Quebec. Sticking with either goalie will not be a concern. Unfortunately for Calvin Pickard, I don’t see him breaking through this year.
Defence
The superb and ever reliable Ryan Ellis is gone. Who is going to step up to the plate and look to replace Ellis in years to come? He comes in the name of Ryan Murray. He has the potential to be a franchise captain at some point in his career and is hotly tipped as the best defensemen in the 2012 NHL draft. His ankle injury this season is a slight concern but should be ready to go for the tournament.
After being cut last year, Murray, should not be the only rookie on Team Canada’s blue line in 2012. Kitchener’s powerplay quarterback, Ryan Murphy will look to cement his place as a top 4 defenceman.
Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick, Joe Morrow, edges out Jérome Gauthier-Leduc personally because of Morrow’s all round game. Morrow is an excellent shut-down guy who can also contribute offensively when needed. With so much skill on offer on defence, he will provide solid cover at home.
Nathan Beaulieu of the superb Saint John Sea Dogs, will finally crack the roster after being overlooked.
Playing with tremendous poise for his age, Cody Ceci is more than proving he can mix in with the big boys, scoring over a-point-per-game with the Ottawa 67′s and featuring for Team OHL against Russia in the Subway Super Series – he, like Murray, is a 2012 draft pick and Ceci is a big, strong kid.
The huge Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs is a shoe-in.
Brandon Gormley is my pick for Captain. It is amazing to see the likes of Gormley potentially making his first World Juniors and it also being his last. Canada are that deep.
Forwards
Colorado College winger, Jaden Schwartz is one of two returnee forwards for Team Canada. Schwartz fractured his ankle in just his second game at the 2011 WJC but impresses enough to be given another shot.
The other? Moose Jaw’s Quinton Howden, who is currently in his final eligible year as a junior. Along with Schwartz, the pair will assert valuable experience to a rookie team.
Jonathan Huberdeau can be penciled in now, he has his plane ticket, unless his broken foot says otherwise. Canada are so stacked at centre that a few competent forwards may not make the cut.
Mark Scheifele will be the only player appearing at the 2012 tournament for Canada with NHL experience. If he can break an NHL roster, he will be there in Edmonton and Calgary.
Islanders 2011 pick, Ryan Strome, was sent back to junior just before the start of the 2011-12 season. I do not see any reason why this fine playmaker should not feature.
Matthew Bisssonnette, at 6ft 4″ and 200lbs, will provide a big, strong presence. He powered a hat-trick past the Russians at the recent Subway Super Series.
Right winger Ty Rattie of the Portland Winterhawks is one of the leading scorers in the WHL at present and should make the cut. He is talented.
The ever-productive LA Kings prospect, Tyler Toffoli of the Ottawa 67′s get the nod, as well.
The skillful Freddie Hamilton gives Canada the option of playing alongside Niagara IceDogs teammate, Ryan Strome.
Boston Bruins prospect, Ryan Spooner, can play centre or on the wing and this also gives Canada an excellent alternative. He is too good to leave out.
Centre, Boone Jenner, has a combination of size, skill and grit and could fit nicely alongside Bissonnette. The forward line could use some toughness to balance it all out.
Although he was not at the Development Camp in the summer, I would like to see Huberdeau’s Sea Dog teammate Zack Phillips, given a chance. He is a superb playmaker and with the chemistry he and Huberdeau has in Saint John, it could work out very well. Phillips can also play centre as well as right wing.
Last but no means least, the leading scorer in the CHL, Brandon Wheat Kings’ Mark Stone. Some may question this selection as he put up big points during Brayden Schenn’s and Scott Glennie’s time in Brandon and also wonder if it was a case of just being on a very productive team. He is doing it again and at a faster rate than last season, even without Schenn and Glennie who have moved on to the pros. He also has good size at 6’3 and almost 200lbs.
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