WJC: 2025 Team Canada Roster Talk

[ORRFForever]

Didn’t see any updates, but didn’t look good.

I imagine he’ll be out for a bit unfortunately

Thanks, meng.

 

[JackSlater]

With regards to the organisational structure; I think the GM should have been changed from last year as I’ve stated many times , but I think the root cause is probably Salmond. He has taken over the WJC programme after the 5 peat and achieved…. Mixed results.

Based on the talent available, 5 golds in a 14 year period is the bare minimum, when I would say that, apart from maybe 2018, 2019 and 2024, Canada had the most talent available to them vis à vis the other nations.

He is the one that I think ultimately needs to step aside and have a more qualified "sélectionneur" take a permanent job as part of the WJC programme head. I’ve suggested permanently naming the Hunters to run the WJC programme, i really liked what they did in 2020. I think that would be a better and more transparent way to run the programme rather than some stop gap GM with the murky figure of Salmond making shadow decisions in the background. Because I find it hard to believe that he is not somewhat responsible for the philosophical change in the Hockey Canada youth programmes in the last 15 years

Anholt should have been removed after a quarterfinal finish. No excuses there. Salmond should also not be involved in actually selecting the team. I'd rather have someone or a group of three signed on for a clear limit - maybe three years. CHL GMs of proven track record, or perhaps an NCAA coach sometimes if possible to advocate for those players sometimes. Canada has underachieved so there are improvements that can be made. It is not as if the team is poorly picked every year but it should be a rarity rather than the expectation.

 

[Leviathan899]

Anholt should have been removed after a quarterfinal finish. No excuses there. Salmond should also not be involved in actually selecting the team. I'd rather have someone or a group of three signed on for a clear limit - maybe three years. CHL GMs of proven track record, or perhaps an NCAA coach sometimes if possible to advocate for those players sometimes. Canada has underachieved so there are improvements that can be made. It is not as if the team is poorly picked every year but it should be a rarity rather than the expectation.

I believe Kyle Turris is the main scout and guy responsible for selecting the U17’s this past year, and both teams were excellent and played in the Gold Medal game. I know it’s different than U20 but a young guy like Turris, whose only 35 and obviously has a strong pedigree in the game, would be a nice option to head the U20 program for the foreseeable future. Give him the reigns and let him and a guy like Seabrook work together. Get rid of bureaucrats like Salmond.

 

[JackSlater]

I believe Kyle Turris is the main scout and guy responsible for selecting the U17’s this past year, and both teams were excellent and played in the Gold Medal game. I know it’s different than U20 but a young guy like Turris, whose only 35 and obviously has a strong pedigree in the game, would be a nice option to head the U20 program for the foreseeable future. Give him the reigns and let him and a guy like Seabrook work together. Get rid of bureaucrats like Salmond.

But think of all the championships Anholt has won as GM in the WHL!

Oh, none. I'd be fine with mixing some young, for hockey executives, guys in. They are probably less bogged down in hockey dogma and honestly, it isn't that hard to pick team Canada. Pick the best players but make sure you have enough guys who can kill penalties and provide some balance - and shockingly sometimes the best players can also do those things.

 

[Leviathan899]

But think of all the championships Anholt has won as GM in the WHL!

Oh, none. I'd be fine with mixing some young, for hockey executives, guys in. They are probably less bogged down in hockey dogma and honestly, it isn't that hard to pick team Canada. Pick the best players but make sure you have enough guys who can kill penalties and provide some balance - and shockingly sometimes the best players can also do those things.

Exactly. I’ve watched every Oshawa game this season and Ritchie has been their main FO and PK guy since being sent back from Colorado. His PK game has grown to be near elite, while also being a guy on pace for 144 points. He can kill penalties for us at the WJC. A lot of skilled players have high IQ’s and are able to adapt to the role. I think a guy like Turris would be a welcome breath of fresh air to the program.

 

[Statsy]

But think of all the championships Anholt has won as GM in the WHL!

Oh, none. I'd be fine with mixing some young, for hockey executives, guys in. They are probably less bogged down in hockey dogma and honestly, it isn't that hard to pick team Canada. Pick the best players but make sure you have enough guys who can kill penalties and provide some balance - and shockingly sometimes the best players can also do those things.

You actually bring up an interesting question. What do tournament GM's actually DO other than pick the team? Obviously, running a league team is a hugely complicated issue, but how much logistical stuff are these guys doing for a tournament? I'm sure it's more involved than we all think it is, but I'd love to get an insider's take on that. In any case, the career hockey execs probably look at this as a position you earn from years of experience. We do see younger guys running the show at less prestigious events though.

 

[JackSlater]

You actually bring up an interesting question. What do tournament GM's actually DO other than pick the team? Obviously, running a league team is a hugely complicated issue, but how much logistical stuff are these guys doing for a tournament? I'm sure it's more involved than we all think it is, but I'd love to get an insider's take on that. In any case, the career hockey execs probably look at this as a position you earn from years of experience. We do see younger guys running the show at less prestigious events though.

The logistics is where Hockey Canada and a guy like Salmond should come in, since the organization is involved in the logistics every year and you do not need to be a hockey expert to fill that role. I get the sense that there is some bloat with Hockey Canada and these events. For example for the four nations, I know that Dubas has a player personnel role and Getzlaf is involved in a role pertaining to player experience or something like that.

In my eyes once the team is picked, the GM or GMs should basically just be kept informed of potential situations like Canada had last year with Firkus. Though picking the correct number of players would also mitigate that.

 

[SpoolCat]

I hadn't given Salmond a lot of thought but there definitely has been a history of hockey Canada not taking skilled younger players for older grit players. They won that year but I keep thinking of 2018 I don't think Suzuki was even invited whereas noted superstar Jonah Gadjovich made the team and I don't really recall him doing anything during the tournament.
Also just a fun fact for you guys the goalie coach for the Lethbridge Hurricanes
(Anholts whl team) is Brodan Salmond whose Dad is Scott. He was hired right out of University too.

 

[Casper The Soy Ghost]

Edit: posted in the wrong thread.

 

[JackSlater]

I hadn't given Salmond a lot of thought but there definitely has been a history of hockey Canada not taking skilled younger players for older grit players. They won that year but I keep thinking of 2018 I don't think Suzuki was even invited whereas noted superstar Jonah Gadjovich made the team and I don't really recall him doing anything during the tournament.
Also just a fun fact for you guys the goalie coach for the Lethbridge Hurricanes
(Anholts whl team) is Brodan Salmond whose Dad is Scott. He was hired right out of University too.

Very interesting, did not know that. What are the odds that Hockey Canada has picked a GM who has won nothing and kept him on despite a terrible failure and also that the very same GM has fast tracked the son of one of Hockey Canada's main bureaucrats? What a small world.

 

[kyle44]

Very happy to see Parekh get the opportunity but do others find this odd? Brunicke is a great defender and plays quite a different style than Parekh. I would've thought they would've brought another defense first guy, but perhaps the next best RHD in that mold wasn't close to Parekh on a net basis. All the talking heads seemed to think they already had their quota for offensive dmen and if Parekh or Yakemchuk were named it would've been at the expense of Schaefer, etc.

Overall, it makes me further question the decision-making and why Parekh wasn't just invited in the first place; it's not as if he was in competition for the role Brunicke would've played. I am pleasantly surprised, though, as when I heard Brunicke might be out for a while, I was expecting a Dylan MacKinnon or Quinton Burns to be added.

 

[Halfy]

Unfortunately is almost a guaranteed cut

 

[LDN]

Unfortunately is almost a guaranteed cut

He might light up the camp. Extra motivated

 

[TheDoldrums]

Interesting that of the two big snubs on defense, the guy that didn't have his GM whining to the media got invited.

 

[hockey20000]

lol parekh over carter okay hockey canada what a joke

 

[Mathieukferland]

lol parekh over carter okay hockey canada what a joke

We’ll never know, but perhaps Yakemchuk’s GM publicly criticising Hockey Canada when, in my opinion at least, Yakemchuk is a better option that Parekh, led to an organisation as petty as hockey Canada is making the decision the way they did

 

[BondraTime]

Parekh can get experience for next year, from camp or from the 7th spot. Brunicke is losing that experience

Not to mention his coach is on the staff

 

[landy92mack29]

can someone take out Akey so they have to bring Yakemchuk? a couple mystery illnesses for the forwards would be nice also

 

[Dack]

Interesting that of the two big snubs on defense, the guy that didn't have his GM whining to the media got invited.

I'd bet that didn't help but it could also just be that they don't expect Parekh to make it (or even if he does he'll play a minor role) but see him as a likely part of the team next year who can get some experience at this level whereas Yak is one and done because of his age.

 

[Statsy]

Unfortunately is almost a guaranteed cut

I actually like his chances. They still had more dmen then they needed so they didn't need to invite anybody else to camp. He is going to have to show that he can play both ends though.

 

[dino200022]

I actually like his chances. They still had more dmen then they needed so they didn't need to invite anybody else to camp. He is going to have to show that he can play both ends though.

I do not think he is quite good enough at this point. He is mesmerizing with the puck but he looks lost everywhere else. Most of his 43 pims this season have come off stick infractions because he is always so far out of position. If there is a spot on the bench to be a PP specialist and fill in on the odd shift then he might have a chance. But I feel that would be a wasted spot.

 

[JackSlater]

I actually like his chances. They still had more dmen then they needed so they didn't need to invite anybody else to camp. He is going to have to show that he can play both ends though.

I seem to remember someone once being a late add to camp and then making the team. Cannot call a nam to mind though. I don't think he has 0 chance, they could have just brought in some generic defensive defenceman if they wanted someone to replace Brunicke in scrimmages and go through the motions.

I'm sure that Staios acting childishly holding Hockey Canada accountable really helped Yakemchuk here.

 

[Dominance]

can someone take out Akey so they have to bring Yakemchuk? a couple mystery illnesses for the forwards would be nice also

Seriously. Can’t help but hope for a broken pinky or other minor injury to a Howe or Pinelli so HC is forced to take this guy:

 

[mooseboy28]

B. Nadeau - C. Ritchie - B. Yager
G. McKenna - B. Catton - P. Martone
C. Rehkopf - J. Luchanko - E. Cowan
T. Howe - C. Beaudoin - M. Cataford
A. Cristall

T. Molendyk - O. Bonk
S. Dickinson - Z. Parekh
S. Mynio - M. Schaefer
A. Gibson

C. Bjarnason
C. George
S. Ratzlaff

Enough crying about the selections. LET’S GO!!!

 

[Halfy]

I still can’t believe they didn’t take Sennecke