WJC: 2023 Team Canada Roster Talk

[JackSlater]

Would be nice to see Stéphane Julien named Head Coach, knows the upcoming age groups well and coaches a fast, offensive brand of hockey contrary to Cameron’s hermetic systems

Sherbrooke plays a good brand of hockey, though Julien's experience seems to be mainly with the age group that will comprise the core of the team in two years. The assistant coaches in 2022 were Michael Dyck (Vancouver), Louis Robitaille (Gatineau), and Dennis Williams (Everett). The 2023 summer camp had Steve Hartley (Drummondville), Jim Hulton (Charlottetown), Brent Kisio (Lethbridge), Brad Lauer (Edmonton), Ryan Oulahen (North Bay), and Sean Clouston (Kamloops) overseeing it. I'd guess that one of the assistant coaches or summer camp coaches gets the spot. Not sure who the best options really are.

 

[Mooche]

Yeah, didn't love the 7/8 defencemen being LHD experiment, particularly as the team notably struggled to cleanly exit the defensive zone. I'm comfortably with Zellweger playing on the right side after this last tournament and Clarke and Ceulemans are 19 year old first round RHDs. I doubt we'll see Mailloux even at the selection camp but who knows. Between Clarke, Ceulemans, and Zellweger being proven on the right it should be ok.

Agreed, 100%.

I stand by saying that I don't want to forsake talent to simply have a balanced LHS/RHS type of scenario on the team. It just needs to be a bit more of a focus going into the 2023 WJC, IMO.

I think it was a key component of why the team looked so sloppy to exit and start their break-outs watching guys struggle a bit on their off side. That being said, I also think the lack of coaching was quite evident in that respect, as all tournament the defenders and forwards didn't look totally in sync to be comfortable to work the puck out and move up the ice. This was obviously highlighted when Canada played stiffer competition, especially the Finns at points in the GMG. Dave Cameron hockey in a nutshell, really.

Zellweger was phenomenal playing on the right side. He's one of those rare talents with his hockey IQ, skating ability, and just overall vision of the ice where he's going to be just fine at this level doing so. He was a treat to watch. I can't wait to see him take even another step at the next tournament for Canada.

True but prior to Johnson scoring the Golden Goal, he was getting ripped (mercilessly) on HF because of how ineffective he was. Why? He was trying to be too clever by half - instead, dump, chase and put the puck in the net. NO "Michigan" garbage.

Can't lie, I thought Kent Johnson was pretty underwhelming, outside of the "Michigan", for what I expected overall in the tournament until the SF and GMG. I really was wanting more from him and I thought even against the Swiss he had a lot more to give for the team. That being said, things seemed to change dramatically as he along with Stankoven really put the team on their back offensively and started to be an extremely dangerous duo. He seemed to be willing to engage more physically and go to the dirty areas as the going got tougher which was extremely nice to see. I thought he played his second best, overall game against the Czech, and then he played his best game against the Finns. There's something to be said about that for a kid in this moment. Loved how it was Stank and Johnson who connected one of the more famous goals in Canadian WJC memory as they truly deserved for picking up their play when it mattered most.

 

[J bo Jeans]

Lots of praise here for Johnson on the game winning goal. Of course he deserves some of it since hes the one who potted it. But the only reason he had the opportunity was because Stankoven turned on the jets, undressed his defender and made an incredible pass across to Johnson. Honestly, most players should be scoring after receiving that pass, especially on Team Canada.

 

[ORRFForever]

Agreed, 100%.

I stand by saying that I don't want to forsake talent to simply have a balanced LHS/RHS type of scenario on the team. It just needs to be a bit more of a focus going into the 2023 WJC, IMO.

I think it was a key component of why the team looked so sloppy to exit and start their break-outs watching guys struggle a bit on their off side. That being said, I also think the lack of coaching was quite evident in that respect, as all tournament the defenders and forwards didn't look totally in sync to be comfortable to work the puck out and move up the ice. This was obviously highlighted when Canada played stiffer competition, especially the Finns at points in the GMG. Dave Cameron hockey in a nutshell, really.

Zellweger was phenomenal playing on the right side. He's one of those rare talents with his hockey IQ, skating ability, and just overall vision of the ice where he's going to be just fine at this level doing so. He was a treat to watch. I can't wait to see him take even another step at the next tournament for Canada.



Can't lie, I thought Kent Johnson was pretty underwhelming, outside of the "Michigan", for what I expected overall in the tournament until the SF and GMG. I really was wanting more from him and I thought even against the Swiss he had a lot more to give for the team. That being said, things seemed to change dramatically as he along with Stankoven really put the team on their back offensively and started to be an extremely dangerous duo. He seemed to be willing to engage more physically and go to the dirty areas as the going got tougher which was extremely nice to see. I thought he played his second best, overall game against the Czech, and then he played his best game against the Finns. There's something to be said about that for a kid in this moment. Loved how it was Stank and Johnson who connected one of the more famous goals in Canadian WJC memory as they truly deserved for picking up their play when it mattered most.

Johnson needs to stick to the basics when playing best on best - he scored a "Michigan" and was never effective, again.

I just HATE that "Michigan" crap. I hate it when other countries do it and I hated it when Johnson did it.

Lots of praise here for Johnson on the game winning goal. Of course he deserves some of it since hes the one who potted it. But the only reason he had the opportunity was because Stankoven turned on the jets, undressed his defender and made an incredible pass across to Johnson. Honestly, most players should be scoring after receiving that pass, especially on Team Canada.

Agree. Stankoven did all of the work - he deserves the credit.

Johnson's read too many of his press clippings - raving about his skills.

 

[bsu]

I didn't think Kent Johnson was as good as this forum made him out to be during the tournament. He had great moments for sure but he gave away the puck way too easily, way too much. Stankoven was much better overall IMO.

 

[tunnelvision]

True but prior to Johnson scoring the Golden Goal, he was getting ripped (mercilessly) on HF because of how ineffective he was. Why? He was trying to be too clever by half - instead, dump, chase and put the puck in the net. NO "Michigan" garbage.

Johnson's problem has nothing to do with the Michigan or creativity, his decision-making is too slow so he misses simple plays. This is very frustrating for a coach, seeing all these opportunities just die on his stick - and then he goes to do something very experimental and it works, just compounds it.

I wonder how much of the slower decision-making has to do with undeveloped physique. McTavish for example looks strong physically compared to Johnson, and it's no surprise to me that he's also more reliable on puck reception and quicker at executing passes. Not to mention insane release on the shot, and the quick recovery speed if he ever mishandles pucks.

It's possible that Johnson actually recognizes potential puck play options as quickly (or nearly as quickly) as player like McTavish, but because he knows he can't do all of them as efficiently, he sometimes decides hold on to the puck and try some "fancier" looking play. If a player doesn't have very good balance and stronger hands/upper body, the player needs to move his legs and rest of their body more while passing or shooting than a stronger player. The obvious disadvantage that comes with an issue like this is greater predictability. They're giving more cues to the opponent about what they're going to do with the puck. It's not always smart to go for the most obvious play if there's a big chance the pass/shot gets blocked. Johnson might be aware of this weakness.

It's just a theory of mine though, who knows what really accounts for his current style of play.

 

[SOLR]

I wonder how much of the slower decision-making has to do with undeveloped physique. McTavish for example looks strong physically compared to Johnson, and it's no surprise to me that he's also more reliable on puck reception and quicker at executing passes. Not to mention insane release on the shot, and the quick recovery speed if he ever mishandles pucks.

It's possible that Johnson actually recognizes potential puck play options as quickly (or nearly as quickly) as player like McTavish, but because he knows he can't do all of them as efficiently, he sometimes decides hold on to the puck and try some "fancier" looking play. If a player doesn't have very good balance and stronger hands/upper body, the player needs to move his legs and rest of their body more while passing or shooting than a stronger player. The obvious disadvantage that comes with an issue like this is greater predictability. They're giving more cues to the opponent about what they're going to do with the puck. It's not always smart to go for the most obvious play if there's a big chance the pass/shot gets blocked. Johnson might be aware of this weakness.

It's just a theory of mine though, who knows what really accounts for his current style of play.

Maybe, but that's giving a lot of credit to a young player in the thick of the action. I think Johnson needs to improve how ready he is before he receives the puck, so there is no hesitation over what to do.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

I didn't think Kent Johnson was as good as this forum made him out to be during the tournament. He had great moments for sure but he gave away the puck way too easily, way too much. Stankoven was much better overall IMO.

That line was bad for the first two and a half games of the tournament for Canada. I wanted them broken up bad. But it all worked out in the end.

Stankoven will be a great returnee.

 

[wishywashy19]

TBH, I agree with him, S. I hate that "Michigan" stuff. I really think trying to be fancy hurts the kids.

Do I ever hate the Michigan connotation
it should be called the Crosby but Don Cherry sure pulled the rug out on that move.

 

[Statsy]

Do I ever hate the Michigan connotation
it should be called the Crosby but Don Cherry sure pulled the rug out on that move.

It should be called the Armstrong for the guy that actually invented it.

 

[Gold Standard]

I don't know about you guys/gals, but I'm ready for another World Juniors. That was a blast.

 

[JackSlater]

I don't know about you guys/gals, but I'm ready for another World Juniors. That was a blast.

Crowds were bad the the coverage was below the usual standard, but the summer tournament did have a lot of good games and memorable goals/moments. Four months to the next one.

 

[canuck2010]

Yeah, didn't love the 7/8 defencemen being LHD experiment, particularly as the team notably struggled to cleanly exit the defensive zone. I'm comfortably with Zellweger playing on the right side after this last tournament and Clarke and Ceulemans are 19 year old first round RHDs. I doubt we'll see Mailloux even at the selection camp but who knows. Between Clarke, Ceulemans, and Zellweger being proven on the right it should be ok.

If Mailloux is good enough to play he should play. He's done his legal duty, he has been contrite, have him do some kind of public service spots. Remember the folks at Hockey Canada have done far worse and it seems a little crazy to keep using this kid as a punching bag. A bunch of high salaried fat cats were happy to have him as a lightening rod. Let's see what kind of severance these guys get when they are given the boot. Justice in our society needs to be worked at it doesn't just happen.

 

[canuck2010]

It should be called the Armstrong for the guy that actually invented it.

Whatever, imo it's a bullshit play. Borderline against the essence of hockey for me. Probably won't happen today however it would be fun to see one of these guys come around the net and meet up with Scott Stevens or any old time NHL defenceman.

 

[Gold Standard]

Crowds were bad the the coverage was below the usual standard, but the summer tournament did have a lot of good games and memorable goals/moments. Four months to the next one.

Doesn't make any difference to me. entertainment value for a Team Canada WJHC game is not predicated on how many are in the arena or what TSN viewership numbers are.

If that were the case I never would have started watching the tournament in the mid 80's before the days TSN marketed the crap out of it.

I'm hoping it reverts back to a junior tournament in junior arenas with junior ticket pricing.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

I like Jack Matier for the 3rd pair. Long shot and not a popular player but he plays a different style and could add some size to the D. His junior coach is also Dave Cameron with the Ottawa 67s and he's his go-to guy already (22-23min / night).

His numbers are not good but Ottawa had the worst offense (only 199 goals) in the OHL this year. RHD also.

To make the 2023 national team, Matier needs to play a lot more like he did at the start of his last season than he did towards the middle/end. Him, and really the entire 67s team went through a lull and kind of limped into the playoffs, and Matier (imo) looked fairly bad (or at least playing at a level below he was capable of) for a large part of the year. That more or less coincided with Beck's injury (Beck is another guy who could be in contention for the 2023 national team...). Seemingly every game he'd go for a Rob Blake-style hip check along the boards and get burned, but in all fairness he was probably gassed from playing big minutes on a thin defensive corps.

That said, he should be in contention for a depth role (3rd pairing/extra D) if buttons things down and plays a more conservative defensive style...even if Cameron doesn't return as the coach (which I wouldn't expect him to or want him to, really). He has great size, and is a very good skater for a big man.

 

[Statsy]

Whatever, imo it's a bullshit play. Borderline against the essence of hockey for me. Probably won't happen today however it would be fun to see one of these guys come around the net and meet up with Scott Stevens or any old time NHL defenceman.

I enjoy the play, but as was pointed out during TSN‘s coverage, it has a time and a place. It’s not to be done EVERYTIME you get a second alone behind the net.

Here’s what’s really interesting to me. So many kids are attempting this trick play, but how many kids are attempting to learn to use the “Gretzky’s Office” strategy of setting up and distributing to onrushing pointmen? Why is it that nobody has emulated the most impactful tactics in the history of the game? Weird.

 

[JackSlater]

Doesn't make any difference to me. entertainment value for a Team Canada WJHC game is not predicated on how many are in the arena or what TSN viewership numbers are.

If that were the case I never would have started watching the tournament in the mid 80's before the days TSN marketed the crap out of it.

I'm hoping it reverts back to a junior tournament in junior arenas with junior ticket pricing.

Shitty crowds is a pretty obvious negative in terms of entertainment and no one was talking about TSN's viewership. We'll see what the tickets prices are like in the Atlantic zone this time. They were quite reasonable for the same location 20 years ago, but that was roughly the beginning of the tournament becoming a big moneymaker.

If Mailloux is good enough to play he should play.

I doubt that it matters how well he is playing. It should matter, but I don't imagine that they will view him as worth the rhetoric and exaggerations that would come from his selection. They invited 15 defencemen to the summer camp and he predictably wasn't one of them, which doesn't mean he's off the team but it doesn't help.

 

[PecnoTrunk]

Shitty crowds is a pretty obvious negative in terms of entertainment and no one was talking about TSN's viewership. We'll see what the tickets prices are like in the Atlantic zone this time. They were quite reasonable for the same location 20 years ago, but that was roughly the beginning of the tournament becoming a big moneymaker.



I doubt that it matters how well he is playing. It should matter, but I don't imagine that they will view him as worth the rhetoric and exaggerations that would come from his selection. They invited 15 defencemen to the summer camp and he predictably wasn't one of them, which doesn't mean he's off the team but it doesn't help.

Mailloux was hurt

Why no love for Mailloux ?? Does anyone think he might make it to this years camp ?

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Mailoux vs similar options.... team is going to go with similar options. Just not worth it to bring Mailoux... maybe if he was legit a top option, but i feel like at best hes a 5/6/7, plenty of other dmen for canada to choose, without having to deal with the backlash

On a side note it would be kinda funny if Canada passed on clarke agian

 

[ORRFForever]

I don't know about you guys/gals, but I'm ready for another World Juniors. That was a blast.

Amen, brother.

If Mailloux is good enough to play he should play. He's done his legal duty, he has been contrite, have him do some kind of public service spots. Remember the folks at Hockey Canada have done far worse and it seems a little crazy to keep using this kid as a punching bag. A bunch of high salaried fat cats were happy to have him as a lightening rod. Let's see what kind of severance these guys get when they are given the boot. Justice in our society needs to be worked at it doesn't just happen.

I have no problem with him playing.

Whatever, imo it's a bullshit play. Borderline against the essence of hockey for me. Probably won't happen today however it would be fun to see one of these guys come around the net and meet up with Scott Stevens or any old time NHL defenceman.

Agree, 100%.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

With the drama around HC - Mailloux isn‘t in consideration in the slightest.
I think the hockey world would explode if he were invited to camp given the allegations that currently surround HC.

Logan Mailloux is not a guy worth discussing for the roster.

 

[JackSlater]

Mailloux was hurt

Why no love for Mailloux ?? Does anyone think he might make it to this years camp ?

With Hockey Canada involved in these sexual assault allegations and knowing that Mailloux shared sexual images without a girl's consent while in Sweden, I doubt that Hockey Canada would bother dealing with the surrounding noise that would come from selecting him. It will be interesting to see how he plays in the next few months but I do not think he can play his way on to the team.

 

[ORRFForever]

Any idea what the TV ratings were?

 

[Statsy]

Mailloux was hurt

Why no love for Mailloux ?? Does anyone think he might make it to this years camp ?

The lack of love for Mailloux has nothing to do with his play and everything to do with off ice considerations. We’re talking about an organization trying to get past allegations that they turned a blind eye to sex crimes, and you’re suggesting they invite a guy to camp that has been involved in a sex crime. I have no doubt Mailloux will get past this and hopefully not be eternally dogged by this scandal, but Hockey Canada giving him an invite would be painfully tone deaf.