WJC: 2025 Team Canada Roster Talk

[ORRFForever]

Mostly Caucasian mid 19 year old males with a splash of color mixed in. Not sure what that has to do with anything?

???

I don't know what that means. I was just curious - my question was not meant in a bad way.

 

[EXTRAS]

???

I don't know what that means. I was just curious - my question was not meant in a bad way.

You asked what they looked like. It was a joke.

 

[Digital Dog]

got wierd in here

 

[frontsfan67]

Any list without Cristall is wrong

 

[Statsy]

Not sure how most people are leaving cristall out when he's destroying the entire chl in points/game.

I can answer that for you. Those people watched the U18 where he really struggled. He went into that as a high scoring player as well.

Having said that, I know how much players improve on a year-to-year basis at this time, so he should at the very least be given a camp invite where he can earn his spot. Keep in mind that this is one of the most competitive player fields I've seen for Canada in the 35 years I've been watching this tournament. Some VERY good players are not going to make this team.

 

[JackSlater]

I can answer that for you. Those people watched the U18 where he really struggled. He went into that as a high scoring player as well.

Having said that, I know how much players improve on a year-to-year basis at this time, so he should at the very least be given a camp invite where he can earn his spot. Keep in mind that this is one of the most competitive player fields I've seen for Canada in the 35 years I've been watching this tournament. Some VERY good players are not going to make this team.

Really deep at forward. Without exaggeration you could make two groups of forwards and both would comfortably be gold medal calibre. Which obviously means that the complaints about who doesn't make the team will be off the charts, especially if the team loses.

 

[Statsy]

Really deep at forward. Without exaggeration you could make two groups of forwards and both would comfortably be gold medal calibre. Which obviously means that the complaints about who doesn't make the team will be off the charts, especially if the team loses.

People hate the old "You could make two teams for Canada..." line, but I agree it's absolutely true this year. Not just on offense either, we're stacked on D as well. Probably not stacked in goal, but we can come up with four good keepers this year for sure.

 

[FourQuarters]

You could make two teams, but you are only allowed to bring one of them to this tournament.

 

[Statsy]

You could make two teams, but you are only allowed to bring one of them to this tournament.

Thanks, you've really encapsulated the problem we were already talking about.

 

[EXTRAS]

I can answer that for you. Those people watched the U18 where he really struggled. He went into that as a high scoring player as well.

Having said that, I know how much players improve on a year-to-year basis at this time, so he should at the very least be given a camp invite where he can earn his spot. Keep in mind that this is one of the most competitive player fields I've seen for Canada in the 35 years I've been watching this tournament. Some VERY good players are not going to make this team.

I understand that but by the time the tournament begins it will be over 18 months since the u18 and its just a 6 game sample. I can understand passing on him if he was at a pace similar to the other leaders in the chl but passing on him for 13 or 14 forwards when he is leading the CHL by nearly .5ppg seems crazy. They could be leaving a guy at home who could have a solid chance at leading the tournament in scoring.

 

[ORRFForever]

You asked what they looked like. It was a joke.

Fair enough.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Is Gavin McKenna making Canada's U20 WJC roster?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Is Gavin McKenna making Canada's U20 WJC roster?

Most likely.

 

[frontsfan67]

Is Gavin McKenna making Canada's U20 WJC roster?

Should make it. Guys like martone, Schaefer, misa etc I’m not sure though.

Mckenna will be a good top 6 guy this year and next year will lead the team

 

[JackSlater]

People hate the old "You could make two teams for Canada..." line, but I agree it's absolutely true this year. Not just on offense either, we're stacked on D as well. Probably not stacked in goal, but we can come up with four good keepers this year for sure.

I don't think that defence is nearly as deep, but should be a good top four at least. Very deep forwards though. Of course having the best B list of forwards doesn't help win the tournament and I'd rather have one clear superstar for this level at forward, but the depth is nice. We'll see what advantage is made from the depth this year though, because if they are set on a top six bottom six team then Canada's depth will barely factor in.

 

[frontsfan67]

anyone have andrew Gibson on their team? Very good defensive d man. The Parekhs and yakemchuks are more entertaining but the gibsons may actually win the championship for them

 

[Mathieukferland]

anyone have andrew Gibson on their team? Very good defensive d man. The Parekhs and yakemchuks are more entertaining but the gibsons may actually win the championship for them

I had a very hard think about putting him 3 RD, but ultimately opted for Brunicke instead. But I think he’s a candidate to play the Hinds role from years past

 

[Statsy]

I don't think that defence is nearly as deep, but should be a good top four at least. Very deep forwards though. Of course having the best B list of forwards doesn't help win the tournament and I'd rather have one clear superstar for this level at forward, but the depth is nice. We'll see what advantage is made from the depth this year though, because if they are set on a top six bottom six team then Canada's depth will barely factor in

I definitely think you’re selling the D short. The number of puck movers we have available this year is freaky. I’m sure there are some solid stay-at-home types out there too.

I agree in principle that you do need some game breakers, but I think if you’re looking for one truly elite guy that we have that in Gavin McKenna. Hopefully, they don’t bury him down the lineup.

I come on here and do an annual rant when all these forum posters are talking “top six/bottom six” about a Canadian Junior team. When the coaches actually played it that way last year, I was beyond horrified. We have far too much talent to choose a team that way. If it happens again I’m going to lose my sh!t.

 

[JackSlater]

I definitely think you’re selling the D short. The number of puck movers we have available this year is freaky. I’m sure there are some solid stay-at-home types out there too.

I agree in principle that you do need some game breakers, but I think if you’re looking for one truly elite guy that we have that in Gavin McKenna. Hopefully, they don’t bury him down the lineup.

I come on here and do an annual rant when all these forum posters are talking “top six/bottom six” about a Canadian Junior team. When the coaches actually played it that way last year, I was beyond horrified. We have far too much talent to choose a team that way. If it happens again I’m going to lose my sh!t.

With Anholt and to a lesser degree Cameron I won't be shocked if Canada goes with whiffs of a top six bottom six layout. I think it's obvious that would be a mistake since the whole reason for a top six and bottom six is due to NHL teams not having enough talent to make four talented lines, but the idea persists.

 

[NordiquesForeva]

With Anholt and to a lesser degree Cameron I won't be shocked if Canada goes with whiffs of a top six bottom six layout. I think it's obvious that would be a mistake since the whole reason for a top six and bottom six is due to NHL teams not having enough talent to make four talented lines, but the idea persists.

The issue with Cameron isn’t necessarily adhering to an old school top-6/bottom-6, but rather a strong preference for a certain type of player - fast, hard-working, hard-skating, fully-committed, defensively responsible, and tough to play against. The 67s often play with a lack of discipline when it comes to the silly after the whistle stuff…common observation/complaint amongst 67s fans. Those characteristics seem to often trump skill, at least when he’s doling out playing time for the 67s.

I honestly thought he was pulling strings behind the scenes last year when I saw Owen Allard had been selected. He’s THE definition of a Cameron player. I’m fairly sure if he could take 12 Owen Allards in his forward group he would.

Edit: on a more positive note his teams are usually exceptionally well-conditioned and prepared. Not uncommon for lesser-talented 67s teams to get off to strong starts to their seasons based largely on conditioning and preparation, before the more talented teams ultimately catch up to them as the season goes on.

 

[Halfy]

Think we get the camp roster tomorrow? Thinking Wednesday at the latest based on previous years

 

[JackSlater]

The issue with Cameron isn’t necessarily adhering to an old school top-6/bottom-6, but rather a strong preference for a certain type of player - fast, hard-working, hard-skating, fully-committed, defensively responsible, and tough to play against. The 67s often play with a lack of discipline when it comes to the silly after the whistle stuff…common observation/complaint amongst 67s fans. Those characteristics seem to often trump skill, at least when he’s doling out playing time for the 67s.

I honestly thought he was pulling strings behind the scenes last year when I saw Owen Allard had been selected. He’s THE definition of a Cameron player. I’m fairly sure if he could take 12 Owen Allards in his forward group he would.

Edit: on a more positive note his teams are usually exceptionally well-conditioned and prepared. Not uncommon for lesser-talented 67s teams to get off to strong starts to their seasons based largely on conditioning and preparation, before the more talented teams ultimately catch up to them as the season goes on.

Cameron is a weird case. He's been the coach two times, both teams made the final, both teams collapsed in the final, one team did win, neither team ever really looked awful but they always left you wanting more too. To his credit both years his teams were solid despite a significant amount of NHL interference, but some decisions were so strange. Along the lines of what you are saying, I clearly recall being in Buffalo in 2011 and finding it so strange that Foligno and especially Kassian were two of the main offensive focuses on the team, even on the power play. His record is not bad so I can't totally rip the guy and I agree he will have the team prepared, but I was not clamouring for my third Dave Cameron experience.

Combining Cameron with Anholt leads me to think that there will be some somewhat unexpected depth guys on this team.

 

[Digital Dog]

I get the feeling Nick Lardis might be an unlikely choice Canada will make

 

[NordiquesForeva]

Cameron is a weird case. He's been the coach two times, both teams made the final, both teams collapsed in the final, one team did win, neither team ever really looked awful but they always left you wanting more too. To his credit both years his teams were solid despite a significant amount of NHL interference, but some decisions were so strange. Along the lines of what you are saying, I clearly recall being in Buffalo in 2011 and finding it so strange that Foligno and especially Kassian were two of the main offensive focuses on the team, even on the power play. His record is not bad so I can't totally rip the guy and I agree he will have the team prepared, but I was not clamouring for my third Dave Cameron experience.

Combining Cameron with Anholt leads me to think that there will be some somewhat unexpected depth guys on this team.

Expect the unexpected when it comes to player selections. Cameron can be stubborn when it comes to (not) making tactical changes depending on game situation or, in the context of the OHL, a playoff series. The 67s had Pavel Mintyukov on their 2022-23 roster….now, down 2-1 or 3-1 in a tight playoff series, would you have expected a coach to take the reins off and unleash a d-man that would be a very good NHL regular a few months later? Probably, right? Well, Cameron didn’t. Continued rolling 6 d-men with the same pairings, same conservative play style, no new approach or tactics making use of Mintyukov’s outstanding skill.

I think that’s what we need to watch with Cameron…not so much the player selections, but more a stubbornness and conservative approach that isn’t quick to adapt to changing situations.

 

[Dominance]

M. Misa-Catton-Greentree

Wanting to recreate the productivity of Misa and Catton from Hlinka, I opt to pair those two again. Greentree is rewarded for his strong start and clutch u18 by playing the role of Wetsch on that line, a big body that can win battles and create space

McKenna-Ritchie-Sennecke

Sennecke and Ritchie have familiarity from Oshawa even if they haven’t always played on the same line on there. Ritchie played really well with Celebrini at the U18, so he can handle the sometimes difficult intellectual aspect of playing with a player as talented as McKenna

Rehkopf-Yager-Martone

Rehkopf and Yager played well together last year and were some of the lone bright spots for a team that was starved of offense. They no longer have Celebrini centring them, but a player that Rehkopf is familiar with from Mississauga, Martone, is added to the line to add size and skill. This is a ridiculous secondary scoring line that few teams will have an answer for.

Cowan-Luchanko-Boisvert

Cowan and Luchanko are the closest to what I would call matchup players in this forward group. Boisvert gets the DEI Quota inclusion being the sole Quebec player on this team because he can hit and plays physical and play on the type of matchup line that is useful in a tournament like this. Cataford was bad in the Hlinka I saw him play in, Gauthier is having just an okay season, and Carbonneau doesn’t fit the profile of someone who plays on a line like this

Nadeau

I put a heavy emphasis on chemistry to avoid the issues of last year, so it was a bit hard to find a spot to put Nadeau. Nonetheless, he’s a capable offensive player than can fill in anywhere in the top 9 if a spark is needed

Extra: Iginla, Cristall

Iginla is in tough to make the team on a stacked left side, and Cristall just left such a bad taste in my mouth after his u18 that I would rather forgo his offensive production than have to deal with all the off the puck issues

Molendyk-Yakemchuk

Molendyk is basically a returnee and will log heavy minutes. He provides a safety blanket for Yakemchuk to activate more often as he has in Calgary.

Dickinson-Bonk

Logical pairing because they play on the same brigade in London even if they aren’t always paired together. Dickinson has been the best defenseman in the CHL and brings everything in all aspects, Bonk was just okay last year but has become better with London as time has gone on.

Schaefer-Brunicke

Schaefer’s unbelievable start and Sterling international record earns him a spot. He’s paired with a safety blanket in Brunicke who can give him licence to get forward. Familiarity from the u18s.

Price

Had a good u18 on an otherwise bad defensive group, has many aspects to his game and can be versatile if he needs to fill in throughout the top 6

Extras: Mews, Parekh

Mews is probably closer than most people think because of his connections to Cameron, and he has a good u18 and Hlinka. Parekh is someone that is deemed surplus to requirements, as there already plenty of offensive producers in the group that render his risk-reward style too risky for a stage this big.

Bjarnason
George

George has played well for Canada in the past, and even on a terrible Owen Sound team has decent Numbers. Bjarnason has been one of the best if not the best goaltenders in the whole CHL, and has the profile of a true number 1, the best Canada would have had at this tournament since Carter Hart.

Extra: Ravensbergen

Beats out Ivankovic and will gain valuable experience for next year. Looked solid in the prospects game

Absolutely perfect. Let’s circulate HC a petition for you to be named WJC GM!