WJC: 2025 Team Canada Roster Talk

[Leviathan899]

Has Akey's game really evolved this season? From previous viewings the past few years I find it hard to fathom him being ahead of some of the guys that didn't make the team.

Akey is a great player and having a good season in barrie. Would definitely take him over Parekh or Yakemchuk for this tournament, much more dependable and a better puck mover/defender. Parekh is too erratic at times. But he’s going to be elite, so don’t jump on me lol

 

[MrCreamm]

Better roster construction this year as opposed to last year, definitely a deeper roster this year. I would've taken one of Parekh or Yakemchuk as the high paced offensive d. Cristall being left off is mind boggling and I would've taken him over a lot of players, honestly I think he could bring more value than even Yager/Cowan if I had to pick between Cristall or them.

Would've added two of Cristall Sennecke and Misa, even if it meant cutting an older Cowan or Yager if that's what it takes to get them in a position in the line up where they are more focused on scoring and don't have to play too heavy of defensive roles. But that said even then I think Misa would do very well almost anywhere u put him in the top 9.

Don't know much about Catafords game tbh so idk if he brings skill and checking or just the latter. I think just by looking at the rejects I think you could find better checking and skills options than Pinelli/Gauthier and I probably cut Howe for a faster player who can speed in on the forecheck and provide some more danger on the 4th while Beaudoin/Cataford manage the game responsibly.

Schaefer, Molendyk, Dickinson make a really strong left side. Would've taken one of Parekh/Yakemchuk on the right side. I think Bonk will be reliable, can't speak to the other right side guys.

 

[Jabba11]

Parekh is a turnovers machine and Sennecke is still pretty raw physically. Both will be on the team next year, but I think TC took the right decisions for this year edition.

I had Parekh as a mid 1st round pick last year and Sennecke around 10th OV, both have weaknesses to work on.

Still, Martone (who I really like as a prospect) over Sennecke?!

 

[Goldenhands]

Still, Martone (who I really like as a prospect) over Sennecke?!

Thats debatable, Martone has work to do away from the puck, but he is built stronger physically than Sennecke and had great chimestry with Mckenna last U18.

Sennecke is very talented, but his 200 ft. game lacks consistency and kid needs to get stronger. He will be a top 6 next year no doubt.

 

[Leviathan899]

Or last years Dumais, who was awful for Canada.

Best part is that if Canada decided to cut him last year at camp, all the internet scouts and fans would be losing their damn minds about leaving off the prolific scorer Dumais! I watch Sennecke play every single game for years now and I’ll even say that I can understand the reasoning behind his cut. Love his game overall and he’s a true game breaker with elite skill, but he’s careless too often still and can be streaky and undisciplined. These guys are in the rinks all year watching these guys, while a bunch hundreds of Twitter accounts who have never watched them play outside TikTok and stats are up in arms. It’s insanity.

 

[Dominance]

I mean I am not a fan of certain choices....but doesn't that just more so speak to the depth this year? Like I feel like change a few names out and we are still having this "B team would be amazing" conversation.

Obviously you’re not wrong, but Howe -> Sennecke, Beaudoin -> Hage, Cataford -> Misa, Gauthier -> Cristall, Pinelli -> Wood/Greentree, plus IMO Gibson -> Brunicke and Akey -> Yakemchuk/Parenh simply delivers an objectively far stronger team.

We could have had far and away the best defense corps in the tourney, plus four of the top five forward lines. You don’t play games when the simple route of crushing every other team with unmatchable skilled depth presents itself so clearly.

Whatever. On we go.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Obviously you’re not wrong, but Howe -> Sennecke, Beaudoin -> Hage, Cataford -> Misa, Gauthier -> Cristall, Pinelli -> Wood/Greentree, plus IMO Gibson -> Brunicke and Akey -> Yakemchuk/Parenh simply delivers an objectively far stronger team.

We could have had far and away the best defense corps in the tourney, plus four of the top five forward lines. You don’t play games when the simple route of crushing every other team with unmatchable skilled depth presents itself so clearly.

Whatever. On we go.

I don't disagree with most of your point tbh I just hope most of the next couple weeks isnt spent talking about it now nothing we can do to change it though one note Brunicke was named to the camp but got injured.

 

[1Gold Standard]

Gotta say I'm loving the 1980's style Gretzky flow he's got goin on. Hopefully he has a Wayne Gretzky impact on the tournament that Wayne had way back in the day. That should generate a billion $ profit for TSN.

Gavin McKeena "Do your best to stay off social media." Is the most important thing he said in that quick little interview.

Words to live by, Gavin!

 

[novisor]

I think he's just saying the guys going to be 17 during the tournament but he's being grouped in with the 16 year olds because of his double draft underage status. Nothing about his play

This is what I'm saying. Regardless of being a late birthday for the NHL draft he is and will be a 17yo for this tournament, and will have 2 years remaining eligibility to play in the WJC after this iteration. A 16 year old would have 3 years. All i'm trying to say he isn't in the same category technically as a Crosby in 04'., McDavid 14' or Lindros 90'. Skill-wise he probably is, but not eligibility or age wise.

McDavid is barely different. You want to make a huge distinction between McKenna (turns 17 in December) and McDavid (turns 17 in January, a few weeks after the tournament?

In terms of eligibilty it is. McDavid could play in 3 more tournaments after play in 2014 WJC. Mckenna after this can play in two.

 

[novisor]

Hmmm... maybe. Perhaps he can clarify.

That was it. Nothing about his play or how impressive it is for his age. Just saying he is not a true 16 year-old a la Lindros, Bedard, Crosby, Bouwmeester, Spezza, McDavid.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Speak to me Canadians…..thoughts on Cristall not making it.

 

[JackSlater]

Speak to me Canadians…..thoughts on Cristall not making it.

Not surprised, and I think it is justifiable. Would not have been against him making the team either.

 

[Statsy]

That was it. Nothing about his play or how impressive it is for his age. Just saying he is not a true 16 year-old a la Lindros, Bedard, Crosby, Bouwmeester, Spezza, McDavid.

Fair enough. Funny anecdote that relates to this topic. A 16 year old Gretzky was devastated after Canada failed to win gold in 1978. “Well, at least I’ve got three more of these to play in”, he mistakenly thought.

 

[qc14]

Canada's biggest strength this year was its depth at every position, especially compared to the US. They could have easily run 4 lines and 3 pairs with more scoring talent than all but the US' top 5 guys but just completely nuked that advantage for no reason. Just a completely unforced error, especially after they were embarrassed last year because ... they couldn't score.

 

[JackSlater]

Canada's biggest strength this year was its depth at every position, especially compared to the US. They could have easily run 4 lines and 3 pairs with more scoring talent than all but the US' top 5 guys but just completely nuked that advantage for no reason. Just a completely unforced error, especially after they were embarrassed last year because ... they couldn't score.

That is the thing. This is going to be the best roster there. It might be the best team too. But they put on a ceiling that was lower than necessary.

 

[jefforteo]

Why bother having camp if you know the roster going in?

Good point

 

[jefforteo]

Deep year

I forgot about Lardis

 

[Mathieukferland]

Speak to me Canadians…..thoughts on Cristall not making it.

He wasn’t on my team and I’m not surprised. Obviously elite when he has the puck, but they have plenty players of similar ability to him that are much less of a liability defensively and bring more physicality

 

[1Gold Standard]

That is the thing. This is going to be the best roster there. It might be the best team too. But they put on a ceiling that was lower than necessary.

I've said it countless times over the years, Hockey Canada very much subscribes to the NHL theory that parity is good for business....and when it comes to this U20 tournament Hockey Canada is in the making money business as much as they are in the winning hockey tournaments business. It's a 50/50 split.

 

[Statsy]

I've said it countless times over the years, Hockey Canada very much subscribes to the NHL theory that parity is good for business....and when it comes to this U20 tournament Hockey Canada is in the making money business as much as they are in the winning hockey tournaments business. It's a 50/50 split.

I can guarantee you that Canada didn't make these roster decisions in order to make a more competitive tournament, if that's what you're suggesting. With this being held in Canada, it would have been better for ticket sales to be able to promote a Canadian juggernaut.

 

[ORRFForever]

Jett Luchanko could pass for a 30 year old - nice looking kid.

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I will bow to many of you when it comes to knowledge of junior hockey (I didn't think Tanner Howe had a chance) but I kinda like the team.

 

[landy92mack29]

I honestly kinda hope they lose out in the quarters again so maybe someone is held accountable for this...

Could've been
Mckenna-Catton-Yager
Cristall-Ritchie-Sennecke
Heidt-Luchanko-Wood
Cowan-Misa-Martone
Cataford

Molendyk-Yakemchuk
Dickenson-Parekh
Price-Bonk
Schaefer

Bjarnason
George
Ravensbergen

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I can guarantee you that Canada didn't make these roster decisions in order to make a more competitive tournament, if that's what you're suggesting. With this being held in Canada, it would have been better for ticket sales to be able to promote a Canadian juggernaut.

Occam's Razor here folks. This is who Team Canada envisioned to be the best team capable of winning gold.

 

[Statsy]

I honestly kinda hope they lose out in the quarters again so maybe someone is held accountable for this...

Could've been
Mckenna-Catton-Yager
Cristall-Ritchie-Sennecke
Heidt-Luchanko-Wood
Cowan-Misa-Martone
Cataford

Molendyk-Yakemchuk
Dickenson-Parekh
Price-Bonk
Schaefer

Bjarnason
George
Ravensbergen

Put McKenna with Misa and Martone, and it’s perfect.

 

[ORRFForever]

Posters have been complaining about Wood's skating for years. Now everyone wants him on the team?

Picking teams is like going to a buffet. People long for what they didn't take.