[News] Hockey Canada's WJC selection camp (no Flames prospects make roster)

[moon]

Originally Posted by T@T

Ummmm what?..can't read or just understand?

It was an awkwardly structured sentence that made it sound like you were questioning the scouts not implying they don't make the decisions. Not sure why you need to be a jerk about it.

With guys this closely matched in skill I guarantee there is no way 99% of scouts will agree on all the players.

And scouts influence here is much different than a pro scouts.

[HOWITZER]

Maybe I'm just right out to lunch here, but why is Domi a "big shock" to not see selected, but Poirier isn't even mentioned? Or is this just another case of the Toronto Sports Network tooting it's home-town horn?

Would love to see Monahan go though and absolutely DOMINATE. Would at the very least give me a reason to watch the games.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by strombad

Uhhhh, so people can't ask questions they don't already know the answer to?
You're making moon look pretty good right now, that was a ridiculous comment.


OBVIOUSLY I was referring to the top division, considering Japan and Spain don't take part in the WJC :P

Japan has been in the top division though. Peter Forsberg scored 10 points in a 20-1 victory

[カナダ人です]

Originally Posted by chockfullofgoodness

We're not talking about the Olympics. We're talking about kids playing in a tournament that very few people outside of Canada give a S*** about. Too many people here take it way too seriously.

Originally Posted by chockfullofgoodness

Well, Olympic hockey is a hell of a lot more "serious stuff" than a glorified High School tournament.

Come on man, have a little respect.

Remember, these are just kids, 16 to 19 years old, many of which will never make the NHL, 99% of which are still amateurs. To many Junior-aged hockey players in Canada, making the World Junior squad is a dream, and the pinnacle of their hockey careers.

It would obviously be nice for Flames' prospects to do well, but in the end count me as one who will be cheering on our "good Canadian kids" from towns across the country who do their best to do Canada proud (and don't get paid).

Plus, as others have said, how can you not cheer for these local kids?:
Josh Morrissey Springbank Minor Hockey product played Bantam AAA and Midget AAA for Calgary Royals before playing junior in Prince Albert.
Hunter Shinkaruk Another local kid and Calgary Royals Bantam and Midget AAA product!
Matt Dumba Played Bantam AAA for the Calgary Bronks before a season with Edge School AAA Mountaineers and prep.

Go Canada

[strombad]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Japan has been in the top division though. Peter Forsberg scored 10 points in a 20-1 victory

Yes, and that doesn't change the fact that it isn't in the top division.

Point is, Japan isn't going to pay much attention to the WJC OR the Olympics, two tournaments it isn't involved in. On the other hand, you've got a country like Sweden, which (like Canada) highly regards both tournaments. The difference of exposure between the two is negligible.

[Flames89]

Surprised by the choice to leave Poirer off. It sounds like Team Canada is picking roles, and will end up with a Rob Zamuner type pick.

I cheer for Canada every time, though I hope our picks perform well. I can't understand not cheering for Canada. For these kids, this is one of the biggest tournaments there is. For fans of international competition where contracts have yet to spoil the seed, this is also a great tournament - so let's not call it unimportant because you couldn't care less while stuffing your face with Turkey and bonbons over the holidays.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

Maybe I'm just right out to lunch here, but why is Domi a "big shock" to not see selected, but Poirier isn't even mentioned? Or is this just another case of the Toronto Sports Network tooting it's home-town horn?

Would love to see Monahan go though and absolutely DOMINATE. Would at the very least give me a reason to watch the games.

Domi was supposed to be there, he was a near miss last year. He is one of, if not the most, skilled guy(s) in junior. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Poirier, while seemingly (I have not seen him play) having a good year, was a stretch where he was picked and therefore does not have the pedigree.

He's having a good year, but as I said earlier, I would bet that the PIM totals, from an agitator type guy, is likely what gave the scouts and coaching staff second thoughts. Again, I haven't seen him play (as I'm sure 90% of us haven't), so I can't say for sure.

[Erick Estrada]

I thought Poirier would get an invite based on his great season but Canada has a lot of good young players available and IMO this tournament is a little overblown anyway as it's an amateur tournament that nobody cares about but Canada. Lots of great players in the NHL didn't make the WJHC squad and lots of these guys that suit up for team Canada will be the next Nigel Dawes.

[moon]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

Maybe I'm just right out to lunch here, but why is Domi a "big shock" to not see selected, but Poirier isn't even mentioned? Or is this just another case of the Toronto Sports Network tooting it's home-town horn?

Domi was picked 10 picks higher than Poirier and there are 5 forwards picked after him that are there compared to the 1 picked after Poirier. Throw in the fact Domi was just at the Memorial Cup and seemed close to making the Coyotes and he should be a bigger surprise than Poirier. His name likely helps as well but a lot is being made of Nurse being cut as well which is hard to place on some garbage notion of the Toronto Sports Network.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by opendoor

Shinkaruk is more accomplished at the junior level though. You don't just throw out 3 years of his career and his 100+ goals in the WHL level simply because he has played through a hip injury for most of the year so far.

No, but you probably do want to take a slightly closer look...

GPG by year for Shinkaruk and Poirier...

Shinkaruk:
11/12: 49 0.74
12/13: 37 0.58
13/14: 5 0.28

Poirier:
15 0.22
32 0.49
20 0.71

It is a pretty clear tale of two players going in opposite directions. The only thing that Shinkaruk has on Poirier right now is a history with TC.

[SuperMatt18]

Is Shinkaruk a lock?

I have a feeling they won't take all 6 of the more offensive minded forwards (Shinkaruk, Petan, McDavid, Reinhart, Mantha, Drouin), and I think one of Shinkaruk, Petan, or McDavid is left at home.

[moon]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Is Shinkaruk a lock?

I have a feeling they won't take all 6 of the more offensive minded forwards (Shinkaruk, Petan, McDavid, Reinhart, Mantha, Drouin), and I think one of Shinkaruk, Petan, or McDavid is left at home.

When I did my mock roster I left him off.

hudon-Drouin-Mantha
Petan-Reinhart-Lazar
Rychel-Laughton-Girard
Horvat-Gauthier-Anderson
McDavid

I think locks up front are: Hudon, Drouin, Mantha, Laughton, Lazar.

I would say very, very likely are: Rychel, Reinhart, Gauthier, Girard

Then you have: Petan, Horvat, Anderson, McDavid, Shinkaruk, Leier.

I think McDavid is taken as the 13th forward, sees PP time on top unit replacing Hudon on the QMJHL line and plays against the lesser guys.

I left off Shinkaruk and Leier because I think they included Anderson for a reason and will take him. If Monahan comes back I see them dropping Horvat or Gauthier and Reinhart moves to 4th line.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The only thing that Shinkaruk has on Poirier right now is a history with TC.

Which is pretty much how Hockey Canada works. Don't forget the Subway super series as well. Poirier played 2 games and had 0 points, while Shinkaruk had a goal. Hate to say it, but Shinkaruk is simply the more proven player.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FAN

Which is pretty much how Hockey Canada works. Don't forget the Subway super series as well. Poirier played 2 games and had 0 points, while Shinkaruk had a goal. Hate to say it, but Shinkaruk is simply the more proven player.

Well if a point in the SS mattered, Leipsic should have been a lock.

But yeah, Shinkaruk has a long history with TC.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by moon

When I did my mock roster I left him off.

hudon-Drouin-Mantha
Petan-Reinhart-Lazar
Rychel-Laughton-Girard
Horvat-Gauthier-Anderson
McDavid

I think locks up front are: Hudon, Drouin, Mantha, Laughton, Lazar.

I would say very, very likely are: Rychel, Reinhart, Gauthier, Girard

Then you have: Petan, Horvat, Anderson, McDavid, Shinkaruk, Leier.

I think McDavid is taken as the 13th forward, sees PP time on top unit replacing Hudon on the QMJHL line and plays against the lesser guys.

I left off Shinkaruk and Leier because I think they included Anderson for a reason and will take him. If Monahan comes back I see them dropping Horvat or Gauthier and Reinhart moves to 4th line.

It appears you have put a ton of thought into this. A hell of a lot of talent there Moon, didn't really realize how much skill is there.

You got to think as well Team Sweden is going to be coming real hard as it is on their soil this year. Should make for a very good tournament this year the top 4 should be all close. To think Team Canada has that much skill it is much easier to see how Poirer will not be at evaluations.

[moon]

Originally Posted by FakenHaken

It appears you have put a ton of thought into this. A hell of a lot of talent there Moon, didn't really realize how much skill is there.

It does come with a big asterik of not seeing any of the Q players and limited amounts of some of the OHL guys. So based mainly off the Super Series, U-18's and reading articles by others.

I think the top line will be set with the Q guys and Laughton is going to be the checking line center. Other than that tough to set lines with so few returnees.

I think I read that Sweden looks to have a very young roster this year but will be tough at home. Canada always has the talented just a matter of whether they gel and can adapt to the big ice in Europe.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

No, but you probably do want to take a slightly closer look...

GPG by year for Shinkaruk and Poirier...

Shinkaruk:
11/12: 49 0.74
12/13: 37 0.58
13/14: 5 0.28

Poirier:
15 0.22
32 0.49
20 0.71

It is a pretty clear tale of two players going in opposite directions. The only thing that Shinkaruk has on Poirier right now is a history with TC.

So like I said, Shinkaruk is the more proven player save for a tiny sample this year where he has struggled through a hip injury (he had 4 goals and 10 points in 6 games before being injured).

And there's a good chance even he'll be left off the team when all is said and done if he doesn't get back to what he's capable of in fairly short order. There sure is a lot of angst over a camp invite for guys who weren't even NHL team property 6 months ago.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by opendoor

So like I said, Shinkaruk is the more proven player save for a tiny sample this year where he has struggled through a hip injury (he had 4 goals and 10 points in 6 games before being injured).

And there's a good chance even he'll be left off the team when all is said and done if he doesn't get back to what he's capable of in fairly short order. There sure is a lot of angst over a camp invite for guys who weren't even NHL team property 6 months ago.

If his hip is affecting his play, he should be out.

If it isn't, he is sucking this year.

Either way, he is the opposite of progressing.

[Enoch Root]

Every year we look at TC and imagine what it would be like if everyone was available, or who should and shouldn't be on the team, or can Canada send two competitive teams. So I thought I would look at what a second team would look like, (including the pros).

Here's what I threw together pretty quickly - who did I miss? Who do you disagree with? How does it compare to the actual team?

Leipsic - McKinnon - Tom Wilson
Domi - Monahan - Poirier
Dal Colle - Jankowski - Connor Brown
Klimchuk - Gaunce - Tierney
DeLuca

Reilly - Pulock
Nurse - Koekkoek
Morin - Heatherington
Finn

Driedger
Jarry

(never really gave any consideration to goalies as I haven't seen much of the guys out east - no doubt there are better choices).

This team easily medals IMO.

[Tinordi]

There are politics at play. Hockey Canada tracks players early to include to their development programs and TC representation. If you aren't on that track and are a late bloomer it's very difficult to get into the club. Poirier fits the bill here. By my read, he should have been a lock for an invite what with his ability to play both wings, his 200 ft game and his finishing skills.