“I just like everything he does,” said Team Canada head scout Kevin Prendergast. “He plays well at both ends of the ice. He’s an excellent skater. He’s a smart hockey player. He’s one of those players we’re looking at as a bottom-six forward kind of thing.
“He can kill penalties. If need be, he skates well enough that he can play in the top-six.”
Holland, 19, is willing to play any role at all if it means a spot on Team Canada at the IIHF world junior hockey championships starting on Boxing Day in Edmonton and Calgary. After the initial shock of the invitation wore off, he began to see how his versatility might pay off on the biggest national stage for a junior hockey player.
“I can do anything they want, I guess,” he said. “In junior, I pretty much play all roles. I feel like I’m a pretty well-rounded player. I’m not a fighter. I don’t hammer guys out on the ice. But I can play a fine checking role. I can create energy pretty well. I kill penalties on a regular basis.
“So I guess I can step into any role they want.”
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Holland didn't look very good at the game tonight. Don't know if it was nerves or what, but he had a bad game. Good positionally, but with the puck he was bad. Probably the worst I've seen him play.
Still confused as to why rheinhart isn't at this camp......good on holland but man you have to give your head a shake at some of the players not invited.
Still confused as to why rheinhart isn't at this camp......good on holland but man you have to give your head a shake at some of the players not invited.
i think that discussion can really only begin if/when the team doesn't win gold.
I've only seen Holland play once, in a playoff game here in Vancouver. He was very average in the game I saw. He didn't stand out at all. I only noticed him because I knew he was a Flames pick. I assumed from that game he'd not make the NHL. I was thinking he might not even be Heat worthy. Silly to judge someone on one game, I know, but he was bad.
I hope he kicks butt this year I'll make a point to see him more than once.
Patrick Holland @ WJC camp article
I'll make a point to see him more than once.
