Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Canada's U18 team gives us peak into 2012

Canada released it's U18 roster that will try and win gold at the World Championship later this month. The club got together in Toronto today this and leave for Germany Thursday with 7 players who aren't eligible until the 2012 draft.

The full roster can be found here.

Hockey Canada Head Scout Kevin Prendergast told us on Saturday that there could be as many as four 2012 blueliners on the team and he lived up to his prediction. Morgan Rielly (as reported on this blog Tuesday) of Moose Jaw, Slater Koekkoek of Peterborough, Cody Ceci of Ottawa and Ryan Murray of Everett are the 4 youngsters that will patrol the blueline.

Malcolm Subban who minded the twine for Belleville this year is the likely starter, and he is also a 2012 draft eligible goaltender. Up front Charles Simard-Hudon of Chicoutimi is the lone 16 year old forward.

There are 14 OHL, 2 QMJHL and 6 WHL players, which might surprise some with a WHL head coach, but with this team it's all about availability as so many teams are still involved in CHL playoffs.

I would expect Ryan Murray, who played and captained this team last year as an underaged player to wear the C again. Ryan Murphy and Mark McNeill are good choices in my opinion as assistant captains.

Canada will be trying to improve on last year's 7th place finish.

No comments: