At first, I thought maybe only 2016 draftees were eligible, but Juulsen is a 2015.
WTF!!??
Our guy isn't even the most notable snub.
Jake Bean is arguably the best offensive defenseman in our league and a first round pick of Carolina.
Ethan Bear is the most accomplished offensive defenseman in our league, a former Team Canada Captain and a signed Edmonrton Oiler prospect.
Tanner Kaspick is a former Team Canada Captain, NHL draft pick and having a hell of a start to his year.
Zach Sawchenko is a double snub - a former Team Canada goalie passed up in the NHl draft and then passed over here.
Gabrielle is an obvious snub due to game 1 being in Prince George, he's played for Team Canada before, plus the fact that he is probably the best pure goal scorer in the WHL, and has more career goals than all but one (Tyler Soy) WJC eligible forward in our league. He's also 5th this season ppg amongst WHL forwards who are WJC eligible.
You can also make a case for Glenn Gawdin, Brad Morrison, Adam Musil, Liam Gregor and others.
The "snubs" are nothing new. There are at least "perceived snubs" every year. What's weird about this team is the bare minimum number of players selected. Typically the WHL selects about 18 forwards and 8 D and spread them over the 2 games, with some players playing only one game. However, this scaled down roster may be a trickle-down trend from Hockey Canada, which in recent years has trimmed the number of players invited to it's December WJC camp. In some instances (like last years goalie fiasco), they are foolish enough to gift roster spots without a camp.
Another disturbing Hockey Canada trend is nepotism. Though not new, it stands out when players like Cal Foote are selected over Bean & Bear and players like Ty Ronning are selected over Kaspick & Gabrielle. IMO opinion, of course.
Foote would a strong candidate for next years team, but he's not on par with Bear and Bean yet. Ronning as well, is a fine player, but he's clearly cut in line here, again, IMO.
Hockey Canada in general is trending the wrong way though. Needs an overhaul. Has been sliding ever since Jankowski was named head scout.
As far as the WHL Super Series roster, I wouldn't be surprised if they add a player or 2 or 3 yet. Not sure where our guy is on the alternates/add-on pecking order, but I wouldn't completely rule him out yet.
The Canada Russia series is open to any Canadian player and is the precursor to the World Junior Championship roster selection.
The roster for this series is selected by the host league, the two host teams and Hockey Canada.
Quick edit here as well, as I want to pick up on Dom's point.
It's worth noting that there are currently 8 Canadian WJC eligible forwards playing in the NHL. (Speers, McDavid, Marner, Barzal, Beauvillier, Strome, Crouse, Konecny) and 2 D (Chychryn, Chabot).
All but McDavid are strong candidates for loan to WJC. That definitely reduces the roster spots available to CHL players, which could be another very legitimate reason for smaller Super Series rosters this year. With only 5 fwd spots up for grabs, which are likely already penciled in. (think Dubois, Merkely, Jost, Gauthier, Mcleod)
Might be a little more room on D, but I would think Juulsen, Stephens, Guhle, Fabbro and possibly Jeremy Roy are your front runners. Stanley? Cholowski? Dermott? Possibly Lauzon is in the conversation if he is healthy at that time.
The Super Series looks more ceremonial this year than anything else. A fun event to fill with NHL names.
