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

[puckluck2]

I'm surprised people thought Jankowski might make it. I think if there were two Canadian teams he'd still have a hard time getting a spot.

[boogerz]

Who is Josh Anderson, Chris Bigras, and Felix Girard, and what did they do to justify a spot?

Surely those spots could have been better used on better players like Pulock, Poirier, Domi, etc. Sounds like the jr equivalent of taking Rob Zamuner to Nagano...

[moon]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I'm a Calgary Flames fan more than a Team Canada fan.

So if Canada plays Czech at the Olympics you are cheering for the Czech's because they (likely) will have Smid and Hudler on it?

This is the only tournament and fanbase (and this is from personal experience so could differ from others) that I have ever heard fans saying they are cheering for their own team, and not guys who are even on the team or in some cases having a better than 50/50 chance of being on the team, over their own country.

I can't imagine Arsenal fans are cheering for Giroud and France to beat England or Dortmund fans hoping Germany loses to Poland and Lewandoski.

It is a weird, weird scenario to me especially because these kids don't even play for the team and can easily be moved (and then hated) before even playing for the team.

[moon]

Originally Posted by boogerz

Who is Josh Anderson, Chris Bigras, and Felix Girard, and what did they do to justify a spot?

Surely those spots could have been better used on players on Pulock, Poirier, Domi, etc. Sounds like the jr equivalent of taking Rob Zamuner to Nagano...

Is that based on your experience scouting those players mentioned or seeing their names in the media?

What exactly makes Pulock, Poirier and Domi better than Anderson, Bigras and Girard?

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by boogerz

Who is Josh Anderson, Chris Bigras, and Felix Girard, and what did they do to justify a spot?

Surely those spots could have been better used on better players like Pulock, Poirier, Domi, etc. Sounds like the jr equivalent of taking Rob Zamuner to Nagano...

They're building a team not an All-star team. You need different type of players to win not the best players all the time.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Not seeing Poirier on there slightly dampens my excitement for this tournament, but IMO the world Jrs are the fastest most exciting hockey until playoffs, cant wait for Dec. 26th.

[chockfullofgoodness]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I think its less about jumping ship on Team Canada and more about being Calgary Flames fans more than Team Canada fans, which history has shown has some politics involved.

If Poirier made the team I would be cheering for them to win it hands down.

But since its looking like he will not I think Team Canada becomes a team you'll cheer for so long they don't come up against a significant Flames prospect i.e. Gillies. Last year I was happy to see Gaudreau dominate and win gold along with Gillies and Sieloff over Canada.

If Team Canada doesn't have a Flames prospect on it I feel like I'm cheering for other teams prospects aka Flames future opponents. Which is fine since its Team Canada but not if they play a future Flame since winning will be good for that player and as a result the Flames.

I'm a Calgary Flames fan more than a Team Canada fan.

I feel the same way. It's fantastic hockey, but I want to watch Flames prospects succeed no matter which country they represent. I do not care which country wins the tournament.

[chockfullofgoodness]

Originally Posted by moon

So if Canada plays Czech at the Olympics you are cheering for the Czech's because they (likely) will have Smid and Hudler on it?

This is the only tournament and fanbase (and this is from personal experience so could differ from others) that I have ever heard fans saying they are cheering for their own team, and not guys who are even on the team or in some cases having a better than 50/50 chance of being on the team, over their own country.

I can't imagine Arsenal fans are cheering for Giroud and France to beat England or Dortmund fans hoping Germany loses to Poland and Lewandoski.

It is a weird, weird scenario to me especially because these kids don't even play for the team and can easily be moved (and then hated) before even playing for the team.

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.

[moon]

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.

Very few people outside of Canada give a s about the Olympic hockey tournament.

And I am talking about the idea that someone is a Flames fan over a Canada fan as he said in his post. At least with Smid and Hudler those are guys actually playing for and contributing to the Flames. With guys that go to the WJHC there is usually a good chance they never even play for the Flames.

[CliffFletcher]

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.

So 16-19 year olds playing for their country is mickey-mouse, but 20-35 year olds playing for their country is serious stuff?

And you'd be surprised at how few people outside a handful of countries give a crap about Olympic hockey.

[Table 5]

The difference between Gillies and Hudler/Smid, is that one is a prospect, and the others are not. A great tourney for Gillies is a positive sign that the guy is the real deal, and will develop into something good. I'd bet you if there was some hot Arsenal prospect, those fans would want that guy to do his absolutely best, even if meant it was against England in some inconsequential tourney.

Hudler/Smid are not going to get better, so it really doesn't matter that much what they do. However, sure, if there's someone on the Czech team that's going to score, sure I'd rather it be one of those two guys. I cheered for Kipper too. It doesn't mean I hate Canada all of a sudden.

Not every stupid little thing has to be tied to Patriotism. You guys have been watching way too many Tim Hortons/Molson Canadian commercials...you can still be a fan of Canada and want other individuals to succeed.

[strombad]

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.

Boo, no.

The WJC is pretty darn big in Scandinavia. As well, the Olympics aren't some magical tournament that is of the utmost importance to everyone. Even the US aren't that concerned with the Winter Olympics, let alone the hockey tournament.

I've never heard of any fans of any sport cheering for opposing countries because their favourite player is on that squad, unless of course their own squad is eliminated. People are ridiculous sometimes.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

Emile Poirier leads the CHL in shorthanded goals (5) and points (6)
Emile Poirier would rank third among all invited forwards in goals with 20
Emile Poirier would rank sixth among all invited forwards in points with 44
Emile Poirier would rank tied for third among all invited forwards in +/- with a +18

It sucks as a fan to see one of your favorite prospects get overlooked continuously by the minds at HC (he has never suited up for TC at any level..) but honestly more than anything I just feel terrible for him. This was his last opportunity to ever get a chance to play in a tournament that he probably grew up watching and dreaming about playing in. He has done absolutely everything in his power to put himself in a position to earn a spot on this team and yet comes up just short despite being one of the more productive and qualified players in the country.

Hopefully he takes this omission in a positive light and uses it as the fuel he needs to accelerate his development.

As for the team itself..I have a hard time believing they can win with the tandem of goaltenders we have between the pipes. When compared to the likes of the US (Gillies & Stolarz) and Russia (Vasilevski & Nalimov) we simply don't stack up.

I'm still not convinced that Stolarz is the best goalie in London....I'm surprised he is on Team USA.

[moon]

I think pretty much everyone wants Gillies to do well just not over Canada. There is a big difference between saying I am cheering for Gillies to do well and I am cheering for the Americans over Canada. I also don't think cheering for your country is being overly patriotic or that it is some stupid little thing

And for me this is not some inconsequential tournament so that may be the biggest difference we have. Although if it is inconsequential then who cares how Gillies does?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by moon

And for me this is not some inconsequential tournament so that may be the biggest difference we have. Although if it is inconsequential then who cares how Gillies does?

Fan bragging rights pretty much.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by boogerz

Who is Josh Anderson, Chris Bigras, and Felix Girard, and what did they do to justify a spot?

Surely those spots could have been better used on better players like Pulock, Poirier, Domi, etc. Sounds like the jr equivalent of taking Rob Zamuner to Nagano...

Go back and read the thread. Josh Anderson is far more deserving than Domi, and I like Domi.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by moon

And for me this is not some inconsequential tournament so that may be the biggest difference we have. Although if it is inconsequential then who cares how Gillies does?

I meant inconsequential on the world stage to people outside the country. The winter Olympics might not be as big as the summers, but there's a HUGE difference in terms of audience and importance compared to the WJCs. In the US, the WJC's doesn't even register a blip (at all, not even hilights)...the Olympics on the other hand are a whole different animal. When I still lived in the US, I remember being in a packed bar full of Americans during the Canada/USA final...it was as rowdy as passionate as I've ever seen in Canada.

But anyway, the WJCs might be a big deal to you, and it might not be to others. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. No need to get out the pitchforks on either side. Personally, I won't be cheering for the Americans, but I will cheering for Gillies to do his absolutely best..even if it's against Canada. There is a difference.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by moon

Is that based on your experience scouting those players mentioned or seeing their names in the media?

What exactly makes Pulock, Poirier and Domi better than Anderson, Bigras and Girard?

What a steaming pile of

Bigrats over Pulock doesn't make much sense when you look at the other stay at home D they picked it doesn't at all, Pulock has 2x the overall talent.


Anderson/Girard do nothing that Poirier can't do and they don't even come close to doing the things he can.

How about you tell us what exactly makes Anderson, Bigras and Girard better than Pulock, Poirier or even Domi.

Good luck!

[chockfullofgoodness]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

So 16-19 year olds playing for their country is mickey-mouse, but 20-35 year olds playing for their country is serious stuff?

And you'd be surprised at how few people outside a handful of countries give a crap about Olympic hockey.

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

But I do agree that only a handful of countries care about Olympic hockey.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by moon

I think pretty much everyone wants Gillies to do well just not over Canada. There is a big difference between saying I am cheering for Gillies to do well and I am cheering for the Americans over Canada. I also don't think cheering for your country is being overly patriotic or that it is some stupid little thing

And for me this is not some inconsequential tournament so that may be the biggest difference we have. Although if it is inconsequential then who cares how Gillies does?

I hope Gillies shuts them out in the semis and they don't get a medal just so HC fails at another. hopefully then big changes will come to end the ######ed political bias crap that goes on.