On Wednesday morning, Hockey Canada announced all 38 players that have been invited to the World Junior development camp, in order to decide which players will make the final roster after the camp concludes on December 15th. Among the 38, the Western Hockey League is extremely well represented, accounting for 3 of the 4 goaltenders, 6 of the 14 defencemen, and 9 of the 20 forwards.
Originall, we here at the PrairePuck would have hoped to see all 7 Saskatchewan-born players from the ADT Canada/Russia Challenge to be invited to camp, but 4 out of 7 is not bad at all. The 4 Saskatchewan-born players are:
G Dustin Tokarski - Spokane Chiefs (Drafted by TB) ---> Watson, SK
D Keith Aulie - Brandon Wheat Kings (Drafted by CGY) --> Rouleau, SK
F Jordan Eberle - Regina Pats (Drafted by EDM) ----------> Regina, SK
F Brayden Schenn - Brandon Wheat Kings (Eligible 2009) -> Saskatoon, SK
There are only 4 returning players to camp this year, consisting of P.K. Subban, Zack Boychuk, Thomas Hickey, and superstar Jon Tavares, so needless to say, this team will be a young one. One thing that the Canadian squad will not be short of is talent. Goaltending is solid with a duo of either Chet Pickard/Dustin Tokarski, or Chet Pickard/Tyson Sexsmith. Either way, Pickard has the start in our book. Defense is big, quick, and strong, and the list of forwards provides some extraordinary scoring talent to the mix, including of course Jon Tavares, Eberle, Evander Kane of the Vancouver Giants, and a surprise cut last year, Angelo Esposito. If this isn't enough, Hockey Canada also has the option to add players to the roster that are still eligible that play in the NHL. Among these are Phoenix's Kyle Turris, Minnesota's Coelton Gillies, Carolina's Brandon Sutter, LA's Drew Doughty, Tampa's Steven Stamkos, Toronto's Luke Schenn, NYI's Josh Bailey, and Edmonton's Sam Gagner. We wouldn't hold our breath about these NHL clubs releasing these players for the tournament, though.
Team Canada is in a good position to win their 5th consecutive gold medal in our nation's capital, beginning on Boxing Day vs the Czech Republic.
PP
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