Canada U18 Roster Released

Hot off the press... here is Hockey Canada's list as they have officially announced the roster for the U18s that kicks off for real on April 9th in Fargo, ND. You can tell by looking at the names why Hockey Canada waited so long to make it official as some of these players were still active in their league playoffs until the last 48 hours.

Goalies

1 Bryce O'Hagan 6'2" 194 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
30 Michael Zador 6'2" 189 Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Defence

3 Brayden McNabb 6'4" 195 Kootenay Ice (WHL)
4 Simon Despres 6'4" 214 Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
5 Erik Gudbranson 6'3" 195 Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
6 Stefan Elliott 6'1" 184 B.C. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
12 Dylan Olsen 6'2" 195 Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
24 Calvin de Haan 6'0" 170 Oshawa Generals (OHL)
26 Taylor Doherty 6'8" 218 Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Forwards

7 Michael Fine 6'0" 191 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
8 Brett Connolly 6'1" 162 Prince George Cougars (WHL)
9 Ryan O'Reilly 6'0" 205 Erie Otters (OHL)
10 Zack Kassian 6'3" 205 Peterborough Petes (OHL)
14 Byron Froese 6'0" 171 Everett Silvertips (WHL)
15 Garrett Mitchell 5'11" 181 Regina Pats (WHL)
16 Landon Ferraro 5'11" 165 Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
17 John McFarland 6'0" 192 Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
18 Joey Hishon 5'10" 166 Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
21 Cody Eakin 5'11" 174 Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
22 Curtis Hamilton 6'3" Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
23 Kyle Clifford 6'1" 200 Barrie Colts (OHL)
25 Ethan Werek 6'2" 195 Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Thoughts: A trio of '92 born players made the cut including a defenceman but not Mark Pysyk as some had thought/hoped... There are four underage forwards including two 'late' 91's in Joey Hishon and Curtis Hamilton.... One of the big surprises is in net where Scott Stajcer is a notable omission which makes me wonder if there is an injury to the Owen Sound keeper... TPS Guest bloggers Ethan Werek and Dylan Olsen are on the team as is another unannounced but verbally committed contributor... potential WHL rookie of the Year Brett Connelly is the youngest player on the team... the breakdown by league is OHL (12), WHL (8), AJHL (1), QMJHL (1)...