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Canada still team to beat at world juniors
12/24/08
Some random thoughts as we head into the Christmas tradition that is the World Junior Hockey Championships:
- Canada is currently chasing a fifth consecutive gold medal. As a nation, we’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to lose at the Junior level. Remember the mid 1990’s? It was the same feeling, and then all of a sudden, we couldn’t win a thing. Seven years, no gold medals. The drive for five? It was more like the run for one. Don’t take this run of success for granted.
- Home ice advantage is great and all, but there’s something inherently Canadian about getting up at 3:30 in the morning on boxing day to watch Canada route France 15-0 when the tourney is played overseas.
Is a 5 p.m. start convieniant? Sure. Is it as fun? Not even close.
- I was very disappointed to see Dana Tyrell go down with a knee injury in Canada’s first exhibition game on Friday. Injuries happen, but it’s so unfortunate to see Tyrell miss not only his only crack at the World Junior tourney, but also the rest of the WHL season.
I was a big advocate of the Prince George Cougar’s captain making the squad, and I was of the firm belief he was set to play a sizeable role.
- Each and every year, there are a few Canadian players who go into the tournament a little under the radar of Canadian hockey fans, but by the end..they become household names. Last year, there was no better example than Shawn Matthias.
A few years ago, the rest of the country got their first REAL look at Dion Phaneuf. This year, Jamie Benn, Tyler Ennis, and Cody Hodgson are going to turn a lot of heads.
- I’ve never seen him play in person, but I’m extremely intrigued by the skill-set possesed by 17-year-old blueliner Ryan Ellis. He’s small, shifty, and is putting up points at a rapid pace in the OHL. He won’t see a ton of five-on-five action, but will quarterback the powerplay, and was the sole reason for Pat Quinn opting to take eight defensemen this year.
- Canada has to be the odds on favourite again at this tournament, but I’ll admit, the United States squad scares the living bejeezus out of me.
Pound for pound, their blueline may be the best in the world, led by Vancouver Giants captain Jonathan Blum. Up front, power forward James Van Riemsdyk should contest for the tournament scoring lead.
The U.S. should be able to matchup with just about everyone…and should it come down to a one-game winner take all final? Then it would be a toss up.
- Remember when Team Canada’s goaltender would automatically come out of Quebec? How times have changed. Of the last four gold medal winning netminders, one has been from the OHL (Steve Mason in 2008) while the other three have been from the Western League (Jeff Glass in 2005, Justin Pogge in 2006, and Carey Price in 2007). This year, both Spokane’s Dustin Tokarski and Tri City’s Chet Pickard will get a chance to establish themselves as the number one, but I believe Pickard will eventually be the go-to guy in the medal round.
- Every year there is always a ton of press directed to Russia’s latest superstar. In recent years, Nikita Filatov, Alexei Cherepanov, Illya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin, and Alexander Ovechkin have all had their way in this tourney.
I don’t think the Russians will boast a prospect that is extremely high end this year, but keep a close eye on 17-year-old Quebec-league blueliner Dmitry Kulikov.
Enjoy the world junior’s, and here’s hoping Red Deer is well-represented next season!
- Andrew Walker is the game night host of Rebels hockey on BIG 105 fm. Check out his online blog: www.bigdrivesports.blogspot.com
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