WJC: 2025 Team Canada Roster Talk

[Hockeyville USA]

I'd expect at least 1 or 2 guys from the Q to make it. Cataford, Gauthier, and Morin make the most sense

 

[Mathieukferland]

2024-25 Summer Showcase Roster | National Junior Team

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[LeProspector]

McKenna not invited? Guarantee he’s on the team in December…

 

[HighLifeManIsHigh]

McKenna not invited? Guarantee he’s on the team in December…

He’s at the Hlinka camp

 

[JackSlater]

He’s at the Hlinka camp

Good call, I was also surprised that he wasn't invited.

 

[wetcoast]

and then Cowan and Barkey shredded them. I don't think Sennecke is going to be a top 6 guy with the forward talent available, too raw. Lot of good 19 year olds likely to be available and McKenna might force his way into a big role as well. But we'll see.

Maybe not Sennecke but Ritchie is a lock for this team and then some people might start to take notice what a fine pici the Avs here.

The guy is getting slept on a bit.

 

[macbowes]

View attachment 843322

So no Basha, Misa, Akey, Unger, or Gardner, but I didn't think any of them were going to make the final team. I had hopes for Akey, but alas. I think the final team will be:

F: Barkey, Barlow, Catton, Cowan, Cristall, Heidt, Lindstrom, McKenna, Nadeau, Ritchie, Sennecke, Wood, Yager

D: Bonk, Dickinson, Gibson, Molendyk, Morin, Parekh, Yakemchuk

G: Bjarnason, George, Ratzlaff

This is a smaller than average forward group, which might be a problem. Rekhoph was my last cut. I could see Martone or Iginla making the team, but it's going to depend on how many 2006's they want to bring.

I could see the lines being something like:

McKenna-Ritchie-Nadeau
Cowan-Catton-Sennecke
Cristall-Lindstrom-Yager
Barlow-Heidt-Barkey
Wood

Molendyk-Gibson
Dickinson-Bonk
Morin-Parekh
Yakemchuk

Ratzlaff
George
Bjarnason

 

[DavidLamb]

With the upcoming Summer showcase, it will interesting to see how the coaching staff arranges 2 teams (red and white) to play against Finland, Sweden, and USA.

In preparation for the December tournament, it is to best organize main roster to create some line chemistry as soon as possible so that the players get to play with each others as much as possible. This way, there is more time in December to work on special teams and other minor details.

I would hope that the coaching staff will feature all the best possible players on Team A and other runner-ups on Team B. Here is how Team A and B would look like if the coaching staff were willing to go this route to give themselves more time in December:

Team A : (players are organized in their natural position and with regular linemates for ease of transition or with complimentary styles of play )

Catton Ritchie Wood
Barkey Nadeau Cowan
Heidt Yager Martone
Barlow Rehkopf Gauthier

Molendyk Bonk (both 19 years old played together at last year camp)
Price Parekn (Price's speed and defensive play will compliment Parekn)
Dickinson Yakemchuk

PK1 : Gauthier - Barlow - Price- Yakemchuk
PK2: Nadeau - Cowan - Dickinson- Bonk

Team B: (These are comprised of the runner-up to the main team especially players on the top lines on Forwards and Defense: Crystall, Lindstrom, Romani)

Pinelli Lindstrom Romani (two 19 years old goal scorers with Lindstrom)
Iginla Luchanko Crystall
Spence Beaudoin Cataford
Howe Collard Sennecke

Chadwick Gibson (Big pair to see how they handle the speed from Team USA)
Morin Sotheran
Mynio MacKinnon
Burns

 

[DavidLamb]

There are 2-3 players that were not invited to this camp who are more likely to be invited in December:

On forwards : 1. Gavin McKenna
2. Luke Misa
3. Michael Hage
On defense : 1. Beau Akey (likely due his injury last season, so if he plays well this upcoming season, you never know)

 

[Zilo44]

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www.hockeycanada.ca

No Hage and Boisvert shows Hockey Canada does not want to encourage kids leaving for the USHL. Wood and Nadeau being the two non CHL kids invited

 

[JackSlater]

So no Basha, Misa, Akey, Unger, or Gardner, but I didn't think any of them were going to make the final team. I had hopes for Akey, but alas. I think the final team will be:

F: Barkey, Barlow, Catton, Cowan, Cristall, Heidt, Lindstrom, McKenna, Nadeau, Ritchie, Sennecke, Wood, Yager

D: Bonk, Dickinson, Gibson, Molendyk, Morin, Parekh, Yakemchuk

G: Bjarnason, George, Ratzlaff

This is a smaller than average forward group, which might be a problem. Rekhoph was my last cut. I could see Martone or Iginla making the team, but it's going to depend on how many 2006's they want to bring.

I could see the lines being something like:

McKenna-Ritchie-Nadeau
Cowan-Catton-Sennecke
Cristall-Lindstrom-Yager
Barlow-Heidt-Barkey
Wood

Molendyk-Gibson
Dickinson-Bonk
Morin-Parekh
Yakemchuk

Ratzlaff
George
Bjarnason

Seems very unlikely that Rehkopf, a returnee who played well last year, gets cut.

 

[MeHateHe]

Surprised that they have Ravensberger, a draft-eligible goalie, in this camp and not at the Hlinka camp. Why wouldn’t they send him to Edmonton in August, I wonder. They could still include him in consideration for the WJC regardless, but I think it’d be better to give the kids some reps in international play regardless.

 

[kyle44]

Surprised that they have Ravensberger, a draft-eligible goalie, in this camp and not at the Hlinka camp. Why wouldn’t they send him to Edmonton in August, I wonder. They could still include him in consideration for the WJC regardless, but I think it’d be better to give the kids some reps in international play regardless.

Ravensbergen is not eligible for the Hlinka tournament; it's 07 birth year and under.

 

[Kingpin794]

edit: someone else said it before me

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I get wanting to invite a range of different play styles, but Collard over Hage or Boisvert is a wild choice in my eyes. I get they're salty when guys don't come up in Canadian juniors but still.

 

[JackSlater]

No Hage and Boisvert shows Hockey Canada does not want to encourage kids leaving for the USHL. Wood and Nadeau being the two non CHL kids invited

Canada had 9 first rounders in the bottom of the first round of the 2024 draft, including Parascak who was drafted ahead of Boisvert and Hage. Only 1 of those 9 players, Beaudoin, was invited and he projects to play a different role. I'm confident that Hockey Canada does prefer that players go through the CHL generally but I don't think Hage and Boisvert not getting invites indicates much. If they have very strong starts to the next season they will be in contention for the team and regardless next summer they will be invited to Canada's assessment activities as 19 year olds.

I would have liked to have seen Hage get an invite though.

 

[wetcoast]

Canada had 9 first rounders in the bottom of the first round of the 2024 draft, including Parascak who was drafted ahead of Boisvert and Hage. Only 1 of those 9 players, Beaudoin, was invited and he projects to play a different role. I'm confident that Hockey Canada does prefer that players go through the CHL generally but I don't think Hage and Boisvert not getting invites indicates much. If they have very strong starts to the next season they will be in contention for the team and regardless next summer they will be invited to Canada's assessment activities as 19 year olds.

I would have liked to have seen Hage get an invite though.

For me the problem is the huge number of invites and it seems like it's a "they left for the USHL" type of thing but for elite players like Wood and Nadeau HC doesn't have the balls to go there.

It's petty plain and simple.

 

[JackSlater]

For me the problem is the huge number of invites and it seems like it's a "they left for the USHL" type of thing but for elite players like Wood and Nadeau HC doesn't have the balls to go there.

It's petty plain and simple.

It is possible but the evidence isn't really there. Wood was on the team last year and Nadeau is 19. Boisvert and Hage are 18 and there are other players their age with similar draft position who were not invited, even in the CHL. Hockey Canada is going to want older guys in general and it is going to want role players most likely.

 

[Hossa]

Seems very unlikely that Rehkopf, a returnee who played well last year, gets cut.

Especially in favour of small wingers - of which they have many options - that have struggled with the pace of international hockey in the past (eg. Cristall, Heidt).

 

[DavidLamb]

In preparation for Team A against USA, here some possible line combo that the coaching can use. I cannot say enough about giving them more time to gel and play together:

Rehkopf Yager Wood (the returnees)
Barkey Nadeau Cowan (combo of speed, passing, and for-check)
Catton Heidt Martone (fast and creative)
Barlow Ritchie Gauthier (these guys play a simpler game with for-checks and create opportunities)

Molendyk Bonk (both 19 years old played together at last year camp)
Price Parekn (Price's speed and defensive play will compliment Parekn)
Dickinson Yakemchuk

PK1 : Ritchie - Gauthier - Price- Yakemchuk
PK2: Nadeau - Cowan - Dickinson- Bonk
PK3 : Catton - Heidt - Molendyk - 7th defenseman

We will see on who will develop into the core 6-8 forwards and top 3 defensemen.
I suspect this is how they will look:

PP1 : LW&C ,Yager- Net-front or LW, Wood - RW or high-slots, Rehkopf - LD to high slots, hope for McKenna but have to stick with Heidt and RD, Bonk

PP2: LW&C, Nadeau, Net-front or LW, Cowan, RW or high-slots, Catton - LD to high slots, Barkey and RD, Yakemchuk

 

[DavidLamb]

Team B:

Team B will have much younger forwards, but it is easier for the coaching staff to see who will stand out or ready to make to the A team. Whether it is Lindstrom, Crystall, Iginla, Sennecke, it will be in their hands to show when they play against top competition such as Finland and Sweden.

Pinelli Lindstrom Romani (two 19 years old goal scorers with Lindstrom)
Iginla Luchanko Crystall
Spence Beaudoin Cataford
Howe Collard Sennecke

By separating these defenders from the Team A defenders who are slightly better skaters; this will leave them exposed, and the coaching staff will have better ideas of who can play well against top competition:

Chadwick Gibson (Big pair to see how they handle the speed from Team USA)
Morin Sotheran
Mynio MacKinnon
Burns

 

[SOLR]

So no Basha, Misa, Akey, Unger, or Gardner, but I didn't think any of them were going to make the final team. I had hopes for Akey, but alas. I think the final team will be:

F: Barkey, Barlow, Catton, Cowan, Cristall, Heidt, Lindstrom, McKenna, Nadeau, Ritchie, Sennecke, Wood, Yager

D: Bonk, Dickinson, Gibson, Molendyk, Morin, Parekh, Yakemchuk

G: Bjarnason, George, Ratzlaff

This is a smaller than average forward group, which might be a problem. Rekhoph was my last cut. I could see Martone or Iginla making the team, but it's going to depend on how many 2006's they want to bring.

I could see the lines being something like:

McKenna-Ritchie-Nadeau
Cowan-Catton-Sennecke
Cristall-Lindstrom-Yager
Barlow-Heidt-Barkey
Wood

Molendyk-Gibson
Dickinson-Bonk
Morin-Parekh
Yakemchuk

Ratzlaff
George
Bjarnason

Cristall, Heidt, Barkey not sure what you are smoking.
Martone, Iginla and Rekoph would be ahead.

 

[macbowes]

Cristall, Heidt, Barkey not sure what you are smoking.
Martone, Iginla and Rehkoph would be ahead.

It's just me preferring to select 2005's over 2006's, because it's their last chance, and I think Cristall/Heidt/Barkey had seasons superior to Martone/Iginla/Rehkopf. I get it, they're all small, but they aren't playing against men at the WJC, they're playing against junior players, and they all have shown the ability to dominate juniors. Sure, they'd be in the bottom 6 at the WJC, but I don't think that playing a bottom 6 role is enough reason to doubt them.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Rehkopf/Martone/Iginla making the team ahead of Barkey/Cristall/Heidt. Martone is probably a future WJC captain, Rehkopf was one of the better players at last years WJC, and Iginla was just drafted 6OA, and has better size/physicality compared to Barkey/Cristall/Heidt. That being said, WJC is a junior tournament, Martone and Iginla get to play again next year, none of the Barkey/Cristall/Heidt get to. Rehkopf/Martone/Iginla combined for 250 points in 184 (1.36ppg) games, compared to Barkey/Cristall/Heidt who combined for 330 in 192 games (1.72ppg). I realize points aren't everything, and that the smaller group is going to be playing lower in the lineup than they do with their regular teams, but they already dominate juniors much more significantly than the others.

Anyways, just a preference, although, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Rehkopf/Martone/Iginla make the team.

 

[PatrickMcC]

Mckenna-Ritchie-Rehkopf
Catton-Lindstrom-Sennecke
Cowan-Iginla-Martone
Barlow-Yager-Barkey
Wood

Dickinson-Bonk
Molendyk-Yakemchuk
Morin-Gibson
Parekh

Ratzlaff/Bjarnasson

 

[SOLR]

It's just me preferring to select 2005's over 2006's, because it's their last chance, and I think Cristall/Heidt/Barkey had seasons superior to Martone/Iginla/Rehkopf. I get it, they're all small, but they aren't playing against men at the WJC, they're playing against junior players, and they all have shown the ability to dominate juniors. Sure, they'd be in the bottom 6 at the WJC, but I don't think that playing a bottom 6 role is enough reason to doubt them.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Rehkopf/Martone/Iginla making the team ahead of Barkey/Cristall/Heidt. Martone is probably a future WJC captain, Rehkopf was one of the better players at last years WJC, and Iginla was just drafted 6OA, and has better size/physicality compared to Barkey/Cristall/Heidt. That being said, WJC is a junior tournament, Martone and Iginla get to play again next year, none of the Barkey/Cristall/Heidt get to. Rehkopf/Martone/Iginla combined for 250 points in 184 (1.36ppg) games, compared to Barkey/Cristall/Heidt who combined for 330 in 192 games (1.72ppg). I realize points aren't everything, and that the smaller group is going to be playing lower in the lineup than they do with their regular teams, but they already dominate juniors much more significantly than the others.

Anyways, just a preference, although, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Rehkopf/Martone/Iginla make the team.

Canada doesn't pick for last chance and CHL stats do not correlate with WJC stats, thus they pick for hardest to play against - that's Iginla, Martone and Rehkopf.

Cristall is a nono particularly, he's just too slow and small.
Iginla vs. Barkey, I think it's an easy choice.
Heidt has more of a case as a bottom 6 player, but then I think it's more important to have a guy like Martone that can go both ways.
Rehhkof, we just don't have that many good pure wingers with size, so he fits in on a 3rd line.

Mckenna-Ritchie-Rehkopf
Catton-Lindstrom-Sennecke
Cowan-Iginla-Martone
Barlow-Yager-Barkey
Wood

Dickinson-Bonk
Molendyk-Yakemchuk
Morin-Gibson
Parekh

Ratzlaff/Bjarnasson

Again no go for Wood vs. Barkey, it's Wood and it's easy.

And Yager much higher in the lineup...I mean come on guys. This is team Canada. Yager was the top center at Hlinka 2 years ago, that's usually how it goes unless there is a prodigy.

Mckenna - Yager- Barlow/Rehkopf
Lindstrom - Catton - Sennecke
Cowan- Ritchie - Rehkopf/Barlow
Wood - Iginla - Martone

Yager is the first center. Yager can play with anyone and has a good shot, he's our only scoring center for our top play maker McKenna.

Unless Catton takes it. But I think using Catton in the play maker role with the twin tower of destruction Lindstrom and Sennecke, is much wiser.

Lindstrom don't think is used as a center, like in the NHL...

Ritchie at best is a 3rd liner center. If paired with 2 gritty guys, they can stop anyone. This is where Heidt could potentially beat out Ritchie as a specialist bottom 6.

Iginla centering a fourth line that can absolutely make the other team camp behind their net is perfect, can score, will tire the opposition a ton. Reminds me of the 2005 team - fair to say that we are favourites. That 4th line is better than the US 2nd line.