The Canadian team is fast. They don't have any big name, high draft choice players for the first time in a long time. I often wonder if they would play better without the future superstars. We'll find out this year. They have a small, mobile defense, large, hard-hitting and goal scoring forwards and the best goalie in the tournament. It's been a long time since we could say that! Carter Hart has only been scored on 22 times in 17 games this year. He is dominating Jr. hockey with a .961 save percentage and 5 shutouts, 4 games one goal against. He got a lucky goal scored on him in the pre-tournament game vs. the Swiss, but I don't expect to see much rubber getting behind him in this tournament. He may be expected to steal a game or two against the Swedes or Americans, (who have 10 first round forwards), or Russians, but he can do it.
The forwards are hard to figure as far as which line will be ranked where, and I like that. The apparent first line is either Dube, Kyroo and Steel or Raddysh, Katchouk and Thomas. I think I like the latter so we'll start with them.
LINE ONE
#16 Taylor Raddysh is a guy who you will remember from last year's squad. In fact, he scored 4 goals in one game last year vs. Latvia, even though he was one of the guys who wasn't a shoe-in to make the team. He's still with the Eerie Otters this year and has played 30 games with 15 goals and 29 assists for 44 points. Point and a half a game, goal every two. Not bad at all! He's 6'2, 209 so he's big, he's playing for the second time in the tournament so he's not going to be intimidated. He could be up there in the scoring race. He will probably score at a better pace than that with his linemates who he has shown great chemistry with, especially Robert Thomas. 2 goals and 4 points vs. Czech Repub.
#27 Robert Thomas scored a gorgeous, tic-tac-toe goal from Raddysh in the pre-tourney game vs. the Czechs. He's got 20 goals in 27 games for the London Knights this year along with 26 assists. Again, his pace will probably improve with stellar linemates. 4 points vs. Czech Repub.
#12 Boris Katchouk has 27 goals in 30 games with Sault Ste. Marie this year. That's almost a goal a game and with the two guys above, might get a goal in every game this tourney.
LINE TWO
#9 Dylan Dube is another returning player. He waited until the pre-tourney game against Switzerland and he got 8 points along with his linemates in the game. This article calls them the top line for Canada, but I don't think they will be. Still, he's going great for the Kelowna Rockets with 27 18 21 39. I hope he can stay healthy.
#25 Jordan Kyroo is a VERY fast skater! A couple times we saw him outskate everyone on the ice in pre-tourney action. He is lighting it up for the Sarnia Sting with almost 2 points a game. It'll be fun to watch him with Dube and Steel.
#23 Sam Steel has 27 14 21 35 for the Regina Pats this season. I've seen nothing flashy from him yet but nothing detrimental.
LINE THREE
#11 Jonah Gadjovich is a Vancouver Canuck prospect who is nicknamed the "Manchild." He's 6'2 201 and he's thrown some nice hits. He's looked great with Steenbergen and McLeod! Scored a goal against the Czechs.
#17 Tyler Steenbergen has 35 goals in 27 games with Swift Current this year. I can't wait to see what he'll do in the tournament! I think he could be the top goal scorer for Canada with lots of time on the power play. He'll get lots of even strength points too.
#20 Michael McLeod has looked great in pre-tournament games! He's a bit of a mystery man having only 11 games with the Mississauga Steelheads with 8 goals and 5 assists, but I think he will be a great fit on this third line that will make them look like the first line.
LINE FOUR
#14 Maxime Comtois is a point-a-game guy for the Victoriaville Tigres. He's 6'2 212 so that's a nice thing to have going for you! Howden, Formenton and him scored a beautiful 4 or 5 pass goal in the game vs. the Czechs. If they can keep up that chemistry, they'll be dangerous.
#24 Alex Formenton is also a point-a-game guy but for the London Knights. He actually played a game for Ottawa this year so he's good.
#21 Brett Howden has thrown some nice hits and along with Comtois makes this a bruising line. But he's got 31 points in 20 games this year for Moosejaw so he can score.
EXTRAS
#19 Drake Batherson has 24 17 22 39 for Cape Breton this year, but can't seem to fit on any line for this team. He got a goal against the Czechs and a nice deflection goal against the Swiss. It'll be hard to keep him out of the lineup.
Dante Fabbro is in an ankle boot right now so he's a big question mark. He's a CIJHL player of the year and a very offensive defenceman. If he can't make it, Josh Mahura, a point-a-game defenseman, will take his place. He looked good in pre-tournament action.
DEFENCE
#28 Victor Mete is a small but good puck-moving defenceman. He has had a cup of coffee with the Montreal Canadiens.
#10 Kale Clague is returning for his second World Jr.'s and looking great! He is scoring a LOT in pre-tournament action and in Brandon this year he has 47 points in only 28 games! He is gonna light it up!
#2 Jake Bean almost made the Carolina Hurricanes this year. Lucky for the Jr. team he didn't because he and Clague are going to outscore a lot of forwards! 27 points in 25 games with the Calgary Hitmen this year so far.
#6 Cal Foote is the son of Adam and on a team when all the D are 170 or 180 lbs., he's the big man at 6'4 212. He's got 30 pts. in 30 games with the Kelowna Rockets but I think he'll be used in more of a stay-at-home roll on this team.
#7 Cale Makar is likely to be another shut-down defenceman.
#3 Conor Timmins has 34 points in 28 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He is also slightly injured and may leave a spot open on the team for Josh Mahura.
I will be up at 5 AM this morning wearing my Team Canada jersey and watching the game. I expect Canada to win convincingly even though the Finns are highly regarded. We shall see what happens.
Only 13 more hours to go!
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