WJC: 2022 Team Canada Roster Talk

[Rabid Ranger]

Was the Tverberg invite just to keep him closer to Hockey Canada given the US interest? I didn't hear any buzz about him being on the radar and a 7th round pick playing NCAA hockey would usually struggle to get any recognition.

Possibly. Hockey Canada and USA Hockey love to jockey for duals that usually don't amount to anything.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Not the most common position, but some scouts are horrified by his defence/skating. I can easily see this being an evaluation situation. No two scouts criteria are exactly the same.

If you read between the lines from recent comments with Hockey Canada brass it's clear they view Clarke as a liability that they don't want to worry about in a short, intense tournament.

 

[JackSlater]

I had that same thought. I feel it’s a reaction to the recent Perreault decision to go with the US.

I don't think that he's eligible for USA. Dual citizens essentially have to have played at least two seasons of hockey in a nation if they want to play for that team, which is a decent rule but should be made somewhat longer to cut out most mercenary situations. Perreault has a different issue, though I guess that could be a motivating factor for Hockey Canada. Who knows, the guy might have a great camp and end up on the team.

Pronman listed Bedard as a longshot in his projection of the Canadian WJC team, though he isn't exactly Bob McKenzie. It certainly helps him that the team will have 14 forwards. Pronman also claims that most scouts he's talked to haven't been overly impressed with Clarke's play this year despite his scoring.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I don't think that he's eligible for USA. Dual citizens essentially have to have played at least two seasons of hockey in a nation if they want to play for that team, which is a decent rule but should be made somewhat longer to cut out most mercenary situations. Perreault has a different issue, though I guess that could be a motivating factor for Hockey Canada. Who knows, the guy might have a great camp and end up on the team.

Pronman listed Bedard as a longshot in his projection of the Canadian WJC team, though he isn't exactly Bob McKenzie. It certainly helps him that the team will have 14 forwards. Pronman also claims that most scouts he's talked to haven't been overly impressed with Clarke's play this year despite his scoring.

That's the point. Tverberg is a dual-citizen but doesn't meet the two year residency rule. As a result, he's not eligible for the U.S. even though he apparently expressed interest in going that route. Now Team Canada is calling. How long he has been on their radar I don't know. This isn't the first instance of something like happening though.

 

[JackSlater]

That's the point. Tverberg is a dual-citizen but doesn't meet the two year residency rule. As a result, he's not eligible for the U.S. even though he apparently expressed interest in going that route. Now Team Canada is calling. How long he has been on their radar I don't know. This isn't the first instance of something like happening though.

Tverberg is presumably in the same situation as Walman and Point were when they declared for USA and then got shut down due to eligibility. Doesn't seem that he openly went down the same route. A quick search showed an article in which he says that he wasn't eligible for USA. Under the IIHF a dual citizen can't live in Canada all along, then go to the NCAA and play for USA as a 19 year old. I'd never heard of this guy before, no idea how good he is. I am doubtful that Perreault's situation, which is quite different, altered Hockey Canada's thinking here though.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Tverberg is presumably in the same situation as Walman and Point were when they declared for USA and then got shut down due to eligibility. Doesn't seem that he openly went down the same route. A quick search showed an article in which he says that he wasn't eligible for USA. Under the IIHF a dual citizen can't live in Canada all along, then go to the NCAA and play for USA as a 19 year old. I'd never heard of this guy before, no idea how good he is. I am doubtful that Perreault's situation, which is quite different, altered Hockey Canada's thinking here though.

Yes, I believe his situation is identical to that of Walman and Point.

 

[novisor]

I think you're really underrating Russia. They have one of the deepest teams I've seen from them in many years. This age group also won the U-17 and Hlinka, and many of their players are performing at a very high level in the KHL and VHL.

That would have been the 2019 Hlinka right? Always get confused that the U-18 is for those in their 18th year (i.e. 03' playing in 2021) vs the Hlinka that is for those truly under 18 (i.e. 04's in 2021)

 

[kyle44]

That would have been the 2019 Hlinka right? Always get confused that the U-18 is for those in their 18th year (i.e. 03' playing in 2021) vs the Hlinka that is for those truly under 18 (i.e. 04's in 2021)

Yep, the 02 birth year. When Canada had Byfield, Perfetti, Drysdale, Jarvis, etc.

 

[newfy]

This point was echoed by a Hockey Canada management member on the radio today when asked about Bedard. He said that they are aren't worried about a slower start in Regina in a less than ideal situation there and how Bedard has had a reputation everywhere he's been to manufacture offence in the biggest situations. They had heard it going into the U-18's and then watching him prove it there in the medal rounds made an enormous impression on the brass.

Yep, thats not surprising at all. Who cares about 20 slow(ish, his numbers are still really good) games when he did what he did at the u18s and last season. You have to give him a chance

I also remember thinknig at the U-18's that Clarke's role/icetime were huge to start the tourney and that it slowly diminished as the games went on. Does anyone else remember that? No icetime stats to back it up. It's possible that HC saw something there that they didn't like.

I dont remember one way or the other but I watched that whole tournament and it didnt stick out one way or the other. I remember leaving that tournament thinking he helped his draft stock though. Not sure what happened with his icetime

Yep, the 02 birth year. When Canada had Byfield, Perfetti, Drysdale, Jarvis, etc.

Canada was really good in that tournament. The Russians won it but I remember Askarov stealing that game if I remember correctly. I'm not sure Michkov and Bedard are old enough to make a huge impact, but adding those 2 talents to those teams is going to make for really good hockey

 

[Dominance]

Projected line-up:

Johnson-Lapierre-Guenther
Perfetti-Wright-Bourgault
Stankoven-McTavish-Bedard
Neighbours-Grieg-Sourdif
Cuylle, Desnoyers

Power-Seeley
Guhle-Lambos
Cormier-Hunt
Sebrango, Thompson

What could have been:

Perfetti-Byfield-Guenther
Johnson-Sillinger-Bedard
Othmann-Wright-McTavish
Savoie-Lapierre-Grieg
Neighbours, Bourgault

Power-Drysdale
Guhle-Clarke
Cormier-Hunt
Seeley, Sebrango

So many f***ing LHD the Clarke omission is f***ing unacceptable.

 

[newfy]

What do people see in Ronan Seeley? I havent seen him play but I've seen a few people projecting him to play with Power which would imply top pairing minutes. He was a 7th rounder having what looks like a solid offensiv start in the dub, but nothing crazy. He doesnt have a history with HC and theres a few other physical, steady types with draft pedigree and a HC history that could fill that same role.

I'm not saying he should be cut or anything, but without watching him play it really doesnt seem like a player I would be pairing with Power personally. Is he really better than guys like O' Rourke, Lambos or Sebrango who have pro experience, HC experience and higher draft pedigree? And thats just the physical, more defensive tpe guys, I could see putting an offensive guy with Power instead as well. All of that is assuming Guhle is anchoring the 2nd pair

I dunno, I just dont see it

 

[Dominance]

What do people see in Ronan Seeley? I havent seen him play but I've seen a few people projecting him to play with Power which would imply top pairing minutes. He was a 7th rounder having what looks like a solid offensiv start in the dub, but nothing crazy. He doesnt have a history with HC and theres a few other physical, steady types with draft pedigree and a HC history that could fill that same role.

I'm not saying he should be cut or anything, but without watching him play it really doesnt seem like a player I would be pairing with Power personally. Is he really better than guys like O' Rourke, Lambos or Sebrango who have pro experience, HC experience and higher draft pedigree? And thats just the physical, more defensive tpe guys, I could see putting an offensive guy with Power instead as well. All of that is assuming Guhle is anchoring the 2nd pair

I dunno, I just dont see it

Seeley’s a really good two-way defenseman. I don’t know about the pro upside, but he’s a good player at this level and having a really strong season.

But to be honest, the right side is an absolute mess. Power, Guhle, and Cormier are clearly the three LD, but I have no idea who plays alongside them. I don’t think Iorio is good enough, which leaves Thompson as the only RHD. It just makes the Clarke snub all the more mind-bendingly idiotic.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Seeley’s a really good two-way defenseman. I don’t know about the pro upside, but he’s a good player at this level and having a really strong season.

But to be honest, the right side is an absolute mess. Power, Guhle, and Cormier are clearly the three LD, but I have no idea who plays alongside them. I don’t think Iorio is good enough, which leaves Thompson as the only RHD. It just makes the Clarke snub all the more mind-bendingly idiotic.

Yeah the hole at RHD is a mess. O'Rourke can comfortably play the right side though. I think Cormier can as well.

 

[covfefe]

Seeley’s a really good two-way defenseman. I don’t know about the pro upside, but he’s a good player at this level and having a really strong season.

But to be honest, the right side is an absolute mess. Power, Guhle, and Cormier are clearly the three LD, but I have no idea who plays alongside them. I don’t think Iorio is good enough, which leaves Thompson as the only RHD. It just makes the Clarke snub all the more mind-bendingly idiotic.

Can't wait to see a bunch of LD trying to corral corner pucks on their backhands under pressure. What could go wrong?

 

[SpoolCat]

Perfetti Lapierre Johnson
Guenther McTavish Neighbours
Bourgeoult Bourque Evangelista
Sourdif Greig Stankhoven
Wright, Bedard
Power Thompson
Guhle O Rourke
Sebrango Zellweger
Lambos

Cossa
Garand
Brochu

I still can't understand why we didn't at least invite Clarke and Ceulemans our defence looks so much weaker without them.

 

[JMac13]

Yeah the hole at RHD is a mess. O'Rourke can comfortably play the right side though. I think Cormier can as well.

Hunt plays the right side with Moose Jaw at the moment as well. I suspect it'll be either him or O'Rourke who ends up beside Power if I had to guess.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Jack Finley is a big boy. 197 cm and 101 kg. Is he physical? Could be a force with that size.

Greig - Finley - Roy could be an annyoing checking-line

 

[gotyournose]

I sincerity hope they bring Bedard. I was watching highlights of the 2013 wjc and if Nathan Mackinnon had been given a significant prominent role and ice time, Canada would have been done better. Not saying they would have won gold but definitely done a lot better.

Connor Bedard is a must for me.

 

[wishywashy19]

Jack Finley is a big boy. 197 cm and 101 kg. Is he physical? Could be a force with that size.

Greig - Finley - Roy could be an annyoing checking-line

we have had big bodies before that couldn’t skate fast enough to partake in any net presence
Don’t need him if he can’t skate

 

[CapsFans]

we have had big bodies before that couldn’t skate fast enough to partake in any net presence
Don’t need him if he can’t skate

I've seen Finley play a little and he can definitely skate quite well, but don't expect any crazy offensive prowess from him. Definitely more of a bottom six pk kind of guy.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I've seen Finley play a little and he can definitely skate quite well, but don't expect any crazy offensive prowess from. Definitely more of a bottom six pk kind of guy.

Fredrik Gauthier 2.0?

 

[bsu]

Zel is going to play the right side maybe they liked his mobility over Clarke. He is playing elite right now.

 

[Gold Standard]

4th. line wouldn't be my picks, other than perhaps Cuylle, but it does fit Coach Cameron's effin size fetish.

camp intrigue should be a blast.

Among the Fs. Wright and McTavish won't be returning next year, and perhaps not even Guenther, for that reason Bedard and Stankoven will be the 13th. and 14th. forwards. just my guess. you got to take some returning experienced players to Siberia next year.

And Bedard would be best served to play another U18 tournament in April. none of this Hockey Canada graduation rule nonsense. The kid needs his reps. all he can get.

C PERFETTI	K JOHNSON	S WRIGHT
J NEIGHBOURS	M MCTAVISH	D GUENTHER
H LAPIERRE	X BOURGAULT	M BOURQUE
W CUYLLE	J FINLEY	W DUFOUR

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

C BEDARD L STANKOVEN

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

O POWER	J THOMPSON
K GUHLE	D HUNT
D SEBRANGO	R O’ROURKE
C LAMBOS/ O ZELLWEGER

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

S COSSA

D GARAND

B BROCHU

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[therealdeal]

Why was Clarke not invited?

 

[covfefe]

Why was Clarke not invited?

pick one:

- shoddy defense
- bad skating
- pissed someone off at HC

i'd say it's most likely the latter and that the holes are more than covered up by his excellence in other areas.