It is already the end of October, and one of the most exciting events in hockey is right around the corner. In less than 2 months, the IIHF World Junior (Under 20) Hockey Tournament will take place in the nation's capital, and team Canada will try for its record tying 5th straight gold medal, a record which Canada holds in their 1993-1997 run.
The annual tournament displays the world's best talent and has a history of being a "coming-out party" for many of the NHL stars of the future. Among those stars that have competed in this tournament since 1993 are Peter Forsberg, Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Marian Hossa, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc-Andre Fleury, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Carey Price, and Sid the Kid Crosby (Just to name a few).
In order for Canada to continue its domination at the world stage, a team of elite Canadian players is needed. In the last 16 tournaments, Canada has registered 9 gold medals, 4 silver, and 2 bronze. With the next 4 tournaments on North American soil (Ottawa 09, Regina/Saskatoon 2010, Buffalo 2011, Calgary/Edmonton 2012), Canada has an excellent opportunity to bring a total of 8 consecutive gold medals in front of Canadian fans.
Among these elite young players, you will probably see the following players sporting the red and white this year:
1. JOHN TAVARES - C OSHAWA GENERALS
Probably the safest bet to make the team this year, John Tavares is the most anticipated draft pick of 2009, definitely a lock for the #1 or #2 overall pick.
2. JORDAN EBERLE - C REGINA PATS
Our hometown hero is a 2008 first round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, and was sent back to his junior team of Regina after training camp for his development as a player. Expect Eberle to be one of the top 2 line forwards for the Canadian team this year.
3. COLTON TEUBERT - D REGINA PATS
A fellow teammate of Eberle, Tuebert is a big, powerful defenseman who is also a 2008 first round pick, chosen by the Los Angeles Kings. Teubert will be one of the key faces of team Canada's blue line this year.
If there is one thing that is not a lock, is the job for not only the backup goaltender, but also the starting goaltender. Last year, there were two clear choices for a number one goaltender in Jonathan Bernier, and the eventual top goaltender of the tournament, Steve Mason. This year, expect any of these top keepers from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL
Dustin Tokarski, Chet Pickard (WHL)
Jason Guy, Andrew Engelage (OHL)
Nicola Riopel (QMJHL)
The reason why I only have one goaltender listed for the QMJHL is because we are unlikely to see a goaltender from this league in the top 2 positions. If I had to pick a lock for one of these positions....
CHET PICKARD - Tri-City Americans
As our interview with former teammate Tanner Gillies suggests, Pickard has spent a great deal of time learning everything he could from one of the NHL's elite young keepers, Carey Price, when he played for the Americans. This young keeper may be the top goaltender in the CHL at the moment, and the Nashville Predators see this talent, having drafted him 18th overall in 2008.
And our "perhaps biased" pick for Pickard's backup, or maybe potentially the starter, is......
Saskatchewan's own...
DUSTIN TOKARSKI - Spokane Chiefs
This product of Watson, Saskatchewan is the biggest underdog in the league, at the same time as being one of the elite goaltenders in the league. It is amazing how much this promising young star has flown under the radar, considering his resume. He has won a Canadian Midget National Championship with the Prince Albert Mintos, and led the Spokane Chiefs to a Memorial Cup last season, winning the tournament MVP award in the process, and yet the Tampa Bay Lighthing were able to draft Tokarski in a "steal" pick in the 5th round.
We at the PrairiePuck would love to see a Pickard/Tokarski tandem as the goaltender core for this years Canadian Junior team.
On that note, we're out.
Until next time,
PP
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