WJC: 2025 Team Canada Roster Talk

[TheDoldrums]

no yakemchuk in a torunament in ottawa in his final year he can play is a big slap in the face if i was him i would remember this if he turns into a good career and hockey canada come calling for the worlds in a few years in may... might be petty but my answer would be no especially considering theres like 2 or 3 d man on the camp roster better then him or equal to his skills max

More time for Sens fans to focus on their only WJC representative, Kazakhstan goalie Vladimir Nikitin!

 

[novisor]

Even more reason to at least invite Sennecke

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Even more reason to at least invite Sennecke

Ya why does that post even list Hage instead of Sennecke?

 

[NewOilersFan]

Why is everyone so upset about the people left off and not upset about the "locks". Returning players at this point shouldn't be "locks" in any sense of the word give the performance that they had last year. I know a lot can change but let's just wait and see the final roster before everyone gets upset. This group has a good shot at gold with any of these kids. No one attending camp should feel safe. They almost got relegated last year. I don't hate the Cam Allen Pick. He was once considered a top 10 NHL draft contender. Given the missed time for shoulder surgery and the strong start it's definitely something to consider. Yes he had some issues at the U18 tournament but lets see what he's got. And I know people will consider it insane, but given Parekh's attitude and the short time these kids have to act like a team, it's a no brainer to give him another year to mature.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Ya why does that post even list Hage instead of Sennecke?

Probably the 17 points in 13 NCAA games

 

[Bounces R Way]

Forgot there was good reason I didn't like Dave Cameron. That reason being that he's a total idiot.

 

[hockey20000]

Forgot there was good reason I didn't like Dave Cameron. That reason being that he's a total idiot.

at nhl level yea but he has won a gold and silver at world juinors

 

[TheBeard]

The non-invite roster is insane.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Canada has an immense prospect pool. Every time they make selections it will be controversial to some because a lot of good players will be left off

 

[NordiquesForeva]

More time for Sens fans to focus on their only WJC representative, Kazakhstan goalie Vladimir Nikitin!

I knew buying the Group B package would be a good investment.

 

[the valiant effort]

How is this crop of goalies on a scale of Glass-to-Price?

 

[JackSlater]

As much as some of the individual camp snubs are surprising, on the whole it is not surprising that Canada leaves some potential stars home for potential plugs. We'll see what the team ends up being, but it further demonstrates that they need a bigger camp.

The annoying thing is what some have already said, it feels like Canada makes it harder on itself. The team may win - I hope they do. But Canada's biggest advantage over every other country at this tournament this year is depth, and this team shed a lot of its depth already. No other country could throw out Yakemchuk on its third pairing or Misa and Sennecke as part of its fourth line, and now Canada can't either.

 

[Senator Stanley]

As much as some of the individual camp snubs are surprising, on the whole it is not surprising that Canada leaves some potential stars home for potential plugs. We'll see what the team ends up being, but it further demonstrates that they need a bigger camp.

The annoying thing is what some have already said, it feels like Canada makes it harder on itself. The team may win - I hope they do. But Canada's biggest advantage over every other country at this tournament this year is depth, and this team shed a lot of its depth already. No other country could throw out Yakemchuk on its third pairing or Misa and Sennecke as part of its fourth line, and now Canada can't either.

Well said. Hockey Canada management groups have been making this mistake for decades.

 

[JackSlater]

The Athletic has an article on Canada's selections, I'll post some of the thoughts. They are not McKenzie level insiders but Wheeler and Pronman do closely follow this stuff, often attend the camps in person, and their views are interesting.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5963479/2024/12/02/canada-world-juniors-roster-selection-camp-2024/

They seem to think that all of McKenna, Martone, and Schaefer will make it. They are surprised that both Yakemchuk and Parekh didn't even make camp, but thought one would make it as a specialist. They think that questions exist about their ability to defend at even strength. They believe that Iginla and Sennecke were viewed as top nine or bust, and that Martone's excellent start to the season bumped them out. Wheeler thinks that Rehkopf and Ratzlaff are not locks to return, and Pronman raised the possibility that Wood could be cut though he would be surprised.

This is their projected roster.

 

[flin flon bombers]

I think we are fortunate to have players that can be disruptive on the forecheck and adding some hits with bite,while still being able to add some offense.i think we win gold,go canada

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Ridiculous decisions.

Still going to be a world-class team but this is called overthinking.

 

[Digital Dog]

The Athletic has an article on Canada's selections, I'll post some of the thoughts. They are not McKenzie level insiders but Wheeler and Pronman do closely follow this stuff, often attend the camps in person, and their views are interesting.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5963479/2024/12/02/canada-world-juniors-roster-selection-camp-2024/

They seem to think that all of McKenna, Martone, and Schaefer will make it. They are surprised that both Yakemchuk and Parekh didn't even make camp, but thought one would make it as a specialist. They think that questions exist about their ability to defend at even strength. They believe that Iginla and Sennecke were viewed as top nine or bust, and that Martone's excellent start to the season bumped them out. Wheeler thinks that Rehkopf and Ratzlaff are not locks to return, and Pronman raised the possibility that Wood could be cut though he would be surprised.

This is their projected roster.

So thats the Athletic and Craig Button who have described Schaefer as a lock now, think they must have some inside info on him as this wasnt expected but im excited for it, this guy has WHEELS!!!

 

[JackSlater]

So thats the Athletic and Craig Button who have described Schaefer as a lock now, think they must have some inside info on him as this wasnt expected but im excited for it, this guy has WHEELS!!!

I don't put any stock in what Button predicts. Pronman and Wheeler have been wrong before, but they go to team Canada events and talk with people around the rink. McKenzie's show will be on later and I will be curious to hear his thoughts on Schaefer because McKenzie is the main guy who can call someone a lock and have it be actually true.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I mean end of the day that projected team is really really good. Unquestionably going to be one of the pre tournament favourites going in. I just wish they would adjust their strategy on picking the team year to year. Like just give the guys a chance at camp and see what happens, if they aren't good enough then atleast you gave them an honest look.

 

[MeHateHe]

I mean end of the day that projected team is really really good. Unquestionably going to be one of the pre tournament favourites going in. I just wish they would adjust their strategy on picking the team year to year. Like just give the guys a chance at camp and see what happens, if they aren't good enough then atleast you gave them an honest look.

Back in the day, Hockey Canada would bring in 40-some guys to camp for a couple of weeks, knowing that 12-14 of their slots were already locked up. I mean, even if Gavin McKenna skates out to centre ice and takes an enormous dump, he's going to be on the roster in Ottawa. Really, you'd have 10 d-men competing for two open spots. At the other end, you've got 18 major junior teams missing their stars for 4 games, with a very slim hope of actually making the team. And then a bunch of their teams are going to be without their best players for the better part of a month.

That burns goodwill between the clubs, the leagues and Hockey Canada. That's why they don't bring 40 guys to an extended training camp anymore.

 

[Digital Dog]

I don't put any stock in what Button predicts. Pronman and Wheeler have been wrong before, but they go to team Canada events and talk with people around the rink. McKenzie's show will be on later and I will be curious to hear his thoughts on Schaefer because McKenzie is the main guy who can call someone a lock and have it be actually true.

i don't diagree re Button but with both him and the guys from Athletic saying lock, its odd, lets see...

But more interestingly do you want him to be a lock? I feel its a nice idea given the overall profile of the other d-men on the inital roster, Schaefer does offer something quite different and little more dynamic

 

[DavidLamb]

Here is the list of projected Dec Camp invitee based on Summer and current season performance (approximately 10 -12 games)

Nadeau - Ritchie - Cowan
Crystall- Catton - Wood
Barkey - Yager - Sennecke - (checking line)
Rehkopf - Heidt- Martone
McKenna

19 Years Old Invitees:
Pinelli Cataford Gauthier

18 0r 17 years old Invitees:
M. Misa - Iginla - Luchanko

Molendyk - Bonk
Mynio - Parekn
Dickinson - Gibson
Price -Yakemchuk
Smith - Marelli

Forwards likely not invited due to poor performance or injury:

Barlow - poor perfomance against other elite junior players and not playing well.
Lindstrom - Herniated Disc
Romani - Injury

I can see that that there are a number of 18 years old players that HC left off with good reasons and there are one or 2 surprises but not really a surprise:

1. Again, it looks like most comments on this site is from someone who is a fan of a hockey player.
2. Note that you need to invite players that you have not seen or players who can play with pace and speed against the American team. After all, USNTD is likely the best program if not the best.
3. I have Yakemchuk as the 8th defenseman on this roster because he just lacks the speed and pace when he was playing during the summer development games. So, not inviting him is not that big of a deal. His draft position was a lot higher than the skill package that he possess as of July 2024. He needs to prove his worth by improving his skating.
4. This is 19 years 19-year-old tournament, hence i am not surprised Senneck and Iginla are not invited as they do not display the level of speed and pace required for this tournament during the summer development camp against team USA.
5. M. Misa did not look like he has the strength and speed to play against 19 years old player when i watched him during the CHL USA prospect games. Only 2 players demonstrated exceptional ability, they are Schaeffer and Martone.
5. HC wants to see Akey and Allen and Brunicke, so they have to leave off the poor or average performers during the summer games.
6. The better performers during the summer games on defense are Molendyk, Bonk, Dickinson, Gibson, and Mynio.
7. I suspect these 7-9 forwards are on the bubble as they may ormay not play well during December camp. Although, HC should allow them 3-5 days before they make the decisions :

Denver Barkey
Cole Beaudoin
Mathieu Cataford
Ethan Gauthier
Riley Heidt
Tanner Howe
Jett Luchanko
Luca Pinelli
Brayden Yager

We will have to see which forward will demonstrate that they have speed and pace during games against the U-sports. I am hoping that HC keep some extra forwards around to play against other teams.