WJC U18 - Canada Roster Talk

[Get North]

The CHL seasons are ending in about a month and the U18s are just 2 months away. McLeod had a surgery but it seems like he'll be back in time, Mississauga, Victoriaville, Cape Breton, Brandon, Sarnia, and Moose Jaw are probably the teams that have the top players for Canada. There's already a couple teams that are out of it and have a couple of solid players. My guess from 2 months out,

Steel-McLeod-Malenstyn
Howden-Bitten-Gregor
Katchouk-Ang-Smith
Morand-Stallard-Vilardi
Barron

Bean-Quenneville
Hague-Fleury
Stillman-Candella
Brook

Dipietro
Fitzpatrick

Wildcards: Sarnia - Kyrou and Chychurn. Windsor - Brown. Could be a couple of upsets for Mascherin, Dubois, Laberge + Comtois, Patrick + Clague. Fabbro and Jost are going all the way to the RBC Cup again I bet. Mississauga could advance further since they are tight in the standings. I think some '99s like Keating, Vilardi, and Rassmussen could find themselves a spot on the team, but 2/3 of them aren't great skaters. Stanley is a good prospect, but he's not good enough to be a viable option on the national U18 team.

Overall, I don't think mine is too optimistic.

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[1Gold Standard]

The CHL seasons are ending in about a month and the U18s are just 2 months away. McLeod had a surgery but it seems like he'll be back in time, Mississauga, Victoriaville, Cape Breton, Brandon, Sarnia, and Moose Jaw are probably the teams that have the top players for Canada. There's already a couple teams that are out of it and have a couple of solid players. My guess from 2 months out,

Steel-McLeod-Bastian
Howden-Bitten-Gregor
Malenstyn-Ang-Smith
Katchouk-Stallard-Morand
Barron

Bean-Quenneville
Hague-Fleury
Stillman-Candella
Brook

Dipietro
Fitzpatrick

Wildcards: Sarnia - Kyrou and Chychurn. Windsor - Brown. Could be a couple of upsets for Mascherin, Dubois, Laberge + Comtois, Patrick + Clague. Fabbro and Jost are going all the way to the RBC Cup again I bet. Mississauga could advance further since they are tight in the standings. I think some '99s like Keating, Vilardi, and Rassmussen could find themselves a spot on the team, but 2/3 of them aren't great skaters. Stanley is a good prospect, but he's not good enough to be a viable option on the national U18 team.

Overall, I don't think mine is too optimistic.

I doubt McLeod plays just coming off injury. not worth the risk.

Overall the '98 year is the worst for Canada in 20+ years, little elite level talent and no depth. If we had all our players available we would have a shot at a medal at least, but with the team we'll be sending we have no shot and it could get ugly.

 

[Brock]

Nathan Bastian is a late '97, so not eligible.

The last couple of years we've seen Canada take several high end underagers to the event, and I think that will be the case again this year with the underwhelming crop likely to be made available. A guy like Gabriel Vilardi could definitely be included in that group should Windsor lose in the first round.

In net, I'd say Dylan Wells is more likely to be paired with Fitzpatrick than Michael Dipietro (even with how good Dipietro has been). Wells was Canada's starter at the Hlinka and I know that HC is still a big fan of his, even if he hasn't had the best of seasons.

Another guy to throw out there is Cam Morrison from the USHL. Youngstown is a good team, but if they get ousted early from the playoffs, he would be a lock IMO. I could also see a guy like Matthew Cairns receiving consideration if Georgetown gets ousted reasonably early from the OJHL playoffs.

 

[Brock]

I doubt McLeod plays just coming off injury. not worth the risk.

Overall the '98 year is the worst for Canada in 20+ years, little elite level talent and no depth. If we had all our players available we would have a shot at a medal at least, but with the team we'll be sending we have no shot and it could get ugly.

McLeod is supposed to be back the first or second week of March depending on how quickly he heals. That would give him a solid month of playing and recovery before the U18's.

Considering that he's still got a lot to gain from playing in the event (a good performance could make him a surefire Top 10 selection), I'd actually be shocked if he didn't play.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

The U-18 has some weird rules and is preventing 2 out of the 3 goalies I want to be there from going. Although it does makes sense why someone like Auston Matthews can't go considering how close he was to the draft day deadline. Would love to Timpano or Samuel there over Dylan Wells. Take Reilly Pickard or the Dipietro kid instead. Goalies that have actually impressed over a season.

 

[Torts]

The U-18 has some weird rules and is preventing 2 out of the 3 goalies I want to be there from going. Although it does makes sense why someone like Auston Matthews can't go considering how close he was to the draft day deadline. Would love to Timpano or Samuel there over Dylan Wells. Take Reilly Pickard or the Dipietro kid instead. Goalies that have actually impressed over a season.

Timpano in Sudbury? He's a late 97 and ineligible.

 

[VictorLustig]

The U-18 has some weird rules and is preventing 2 out of the 3 goalies I want to be there from going. Although it does makes sense why someone like Auston Matthews can't go considering how close he was to the draft day deadline. Would love to Timpano or Samuel there over Dylan Wells. Take Reilly Pickard or the Dipietro kid instead. Goalies that have actually impressed over a season.

Weird rules? Cutoff by birth year is standard in all(?) junior events in every sport, don't see what the NHL draft cutoff date has to do with anything.

 

[1Gold Standard]

McLeod is supposed to be back the first or second week of March depending on how quickly he heals. That would give him a solid month of playing and recovery before the U18's.

Considering that he's still got a lot to gain from playing in the event (a good performance could make him a surefire Top 10 selection), I'd actually be shocked if he didn't play.

I don't agree and think he has more to lose. It's highly unlikely he has a shot at cracking the top 10, not now and certainly not based on the results of that one tournament. I'd be surprised if he accepts an invite. I'd advise him to take a pass...

but as a Team Canada fan, we sure can use a player like that this year. Canada is in tough with this 1998 group.

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

Timpano in Sudbury? He's a late 97 and ineligible.

Which is why I said I'd love him there but I know he can't go.

 

[thething]

If PG gets knocked out early I think Josh Anderson would add a big physical presence to the lineup.

I like that you added Brook as the possible underage defense men, really like him out of the Canadian 1999 d-man class (especially since their year doesn't have any real standouts)

 

[Get North]

OHL playoffs are set, QMJHL playoffs are set, WHL playoffs are almost set (Medicine Hat vs Edmonton in a tie-break series). Mississauga looks like they'll be out, Moose Jaw, Regina, are some key teams with players, Victoriaville as well. If the favourites win, I think Canada will have a fairly strong team compared to last year. No Barzal, but there's 3-4 other good players that may be here. Windsor-Kitchener have a couple of studs coming out of it with Mascherin and Brown, also Vilardi and Stanley.

Here's what I think will likely end up being the line-up:

Howden-Brown-Bitten
Comtois-McLeod-Laberge
Morand-Steel-Caamano
Katchouk-Ang-Tippett
Malenstyn

Bean-Quenneville
Hague-Fleury
Stillman-Stanley
Cholowski*

BCHL playoffs are in the 2nd round and it seems like Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Penticton are moving to round 3. Then it becomes a round robin between the 3, bottom team gets eliminated, then a series between the top 2 teams. Nanaimo had the least amount of points in the regular season between the 3 teams, Cholowski plays on Chilliwack, Jost and Fabbro play on Penticton. So that will be interesting to watch, no doubt Cholowski is good enough to make the team though.

Overall, I think the roster will be a good one. There's a ton of depth and I missed some outstanding '99s like Vilardi, Keating, Rasmussen, along with some unique '98s like Gregor, Smith, Kryski, Pezzetta, Strome.

 

[Mark Edwards]

Nathan Bastian is a late '97, so not eligible.

The last couple of years we've seen Canada take several high end underagers to the event, and I think that will be the case again this year with the underwhelming crop likely to be made available. A guy like Gabriel Vilardi could definitely be included in that group should Windsor lose in the first round.

In net, I'd say Dylan Wells is more likely to be paired with Fitzpatrick than Michael Dipietro (even with how good Dipietro has been). Wells was Canada's starter at the Hlinka and I know that HC is still a big fan of his, even if he hasn't had the best of seasons.

Another guy to throw out there is Cam Morrison from the USHL. Youngstown is a good team, but if they get ousted early from the playoffs, he would be a lock IMO. I could also see a guy like Matthew Cairns receiving consideration if Georgetown gets ousted reasonably early from the OJHL playoffs.

Morrison could indeed get an invite. I'm guessing Cholowski would go before Cairns if available but HC will look to CHL first and only go BCHL route if they really need to IMO.

OHL playoffs are set, QMJHL playoffs are set, WHL playoffs are almost set (Medicine Hat vs Edmonton in a tie-break series). Mississauga looks like they'll be out, Moose Jaw, Regina, are some key teams with players, Victoriaville as well. If the favourites win, I think Canada will have a fairly strong team compared to last year. No Barzal, but there's 3-4 other good players that may be here. Windsor-Kitchener have a couple of studs coming out of it with Mascherin and Brown, also Vilardi and Stanley.

Here's what I think will likely end up being the line-up:

Howden-Brown-Bitten
Comtois-McLeod-Laberge
Morand-Steel-Caamano
Katchouk-Ang-Tippett
Malenstyn

Bean-Quenneville
Hague-Fleury
Stillman-Stanley
Cholowski*

BCHL playoffs are in the 2nd round and it seems like Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Penticton are moving to round 3. Then it becomes a round robin between the 3, bottom team gets eliminated, then a series between the top 2 teams. Nanaimo had the least amount of points in the regular season between the 3 teams, Cholowski plays on Chilliwack, Jost and Fabbro play on Penticton. So that will be interesting to watch, no doubt Cholowski is good enough to make the team though.

Overall, I think the roster will be a good one. There's a ton of depth and I missed some outstanding '99s like Vilardi, Keating, Rasmussen, along with some unique '98s like Gregor, Smith, Kryski, Pezzetta, Strome.

I mentioned on radio last week that Tippett and Hague are good bets if available. Katchouk is injured and status is up in the air right now. He could be healthy by then tho. He's a lock if available.

 

[sbtatter]

If Bdn get locked out they will send reinforcements, Patrick, clague and Kaspick

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Is Logan Brown definitely going to suit up for Canada?

 

[AlternateSideParking]

If PG gets knocked out early I think Josh Anderson would add a big physical presence to the lineup.

I like that you added Brook as the possible underage defense men, really like him out of the Canadian 1999 d-man class (especially since their year doesn't have any real standouts)

He's wearing a back brace and likely done for the U18's. Good physical shutdown type but became more of a goon this season.

 

[Brock]

OHL playoffs are set, QMJHL playoffs are set, WHL playoffs are almost set (Medicine Hat vs Edmonton in a tie-break series). Mississauga looks like they'll be out, Moose Jaw, Regina, are some key teams with players, Victoriaville as well. If the favourites win, I think Canada will have a fairly strong team compared to last year. No Barzal, but there's 3-4 other good players that may be here. Windsor-Kitchener have a couple of studs coming out of it with Mascherin and Brown, also Vilardi and Stanley.

Here's what I think will likely end up being the line-up:

Howden-Brown-Bitten
Comtois-McLeod-Laberge
Morand-Steel-Caamano
Katchouk-Ang-Tippett
Malenstyn

Bean-Quenneville
Hague-Fleury
Stillman-Stanley
Cholowski*

BCHL playoffs are in the 2nd round and it seems like Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Penticton are moving to round 3. Then it becomes a round robin between the 3, bottom team gets eliminated, then a series between the top 2 teams. Nanaimo had the least amount of points in the regular season between the 3 teams, Cholowski plays on Chilliwack, Jost and Fabbro play on Penticton. So that will be interesting to watch, no doubt Cholowski is good enough to make the team though.

Overall, I think the roster will be a good one. There's a ton of depth and I missed some outstanding '99s like Vilardi, Keating, Rasmussen, along with some unique '98s like Gregor, Smith, Kryski, Pezzetta, Strome.

I would go with Givani Smith over Caamano as an OHL observer. I do like Caamano as a mid/late round pick, but Smith is the better prospect and player. Only issue is if Hockey Canada feels like they can trust him on the ice (with the style of game he plays). Could be valuable though for getting under the skin of the opposition.

If not them, I'd almost rather take a '99 like Vilardi (along with Tippett). This is especially true if Boris Katchouk can't pass the concussion protocol.

 

[Dodospice]

Mess with the lines how you please, but I could see the roster shaking down something like this:

Comtois- Brown- Bitten
Morand- McLeod- Laberge
Katchouck- Steel- Howden
Gregor- Ang- Vilardi
Tippett

Bean- Quenneville
Stanley- Fleury
Hague- O'Grady
Day (has he closed the door on HC?)

Wells
Fitzpatrick

Others I would consider:
F: Smith, Barron, Steenbergen, Pilon, Rasmussen, Morrisson (Will HC look at USHL?), Jost (availability?)
D: Candella, Stillman, Anderson (will he be healthy?), Cholowski (if he's available), Fabbro (same deal)
G: Pickard, DiPietro

 

[wings5]

OHL playoffs are set, QMJHL playoffs are set, WHL playoffs are almost set (Medicine Hat vs Edmonton in a tie-break series). Mississauga looks like they'll be out, Moose Jaw, Regina, are some key teams with players, Victoriaville as well. If the favourites win, I think Canada will have a fairly strong team compared to last year. No Barzal, but there's 3-4 other good players that may be here. Windsor-Kitchener have a couple of studs coming out of it with Mascherin and Brown, also Vilardi and Stanley.

Here's what I think will likely end up being the line-up:

Howden-Brown-Bitten
Comtois-McLeod-Laberge
Morand-Steel-Caamano
Katchouk-Ang-Tippett
Malenstyn

Bean-Quenneville
Hague-Fleury
Stillman-Stanley
Cholowski*

BCHL playoffs are in the 2nd round and it seems like Nanaimo, Chilliwack, Penticton are moving to round 3. Then it becomes a round robin between the 3, bottom team gets eliminated, then a series between the top 2 teams. Nanaimo had the least amount of points in the regular season between the 3 teams, Cholowski plays on Chilliwack, Jost and Fabbro play on Penticton. So that will be interesting to watch, no doubt Cholowski is good enough to make the team though.

Overall, I think the roster will be a good one. There's a ton of depth and I missed some outstanding '99s like Vilardi, Keating, Rasmussen, along with some unique '98s like Gregor, Smith, Kryski, Pezzetta, Strome.

Cam Morrisson put up around ppg in USHL as a 17 year old which is really rare outside of the NTDP team he should definitely be there. Felhaber and Smith should definately be there as well. I pretty much agree with the 99s you chose, it would be nice if Levin could suit up for us too. Defence seems to be really weak but I don't see any other options really. Goaltending imo has the best crop in years if any of Lafontaine, Hart, Skinner or Fitzpatrick are available, would greatly help out the weak defence. Noticed you didn't list Sean Day as well.

 

[covfefe]

Still possible that Fabbro and Jost are available for this tournament. Their series is tied 2-2 after West Kelowna took down both of their home games

 

[Get North]

Add Fabbro and Jost. Wow that's a surprise and Edmonton up 2-0 on Brandon.

 

[93LEAFS]

Add Fabbro and Jost. Wow that's a surprise and Edmonton up 2-0 on Brandon.

Happy about this, will be good to see them vs some tougher teams particularly the USA.

 

[Mark Edwards]

Is Logan Brown definitely going to suit up for Canada?

Some NHL scouts told me last night that he will not play for Canada.

 

[Mark Edwards]

Add Fabbro and Jost. Wow that's a surprise and Edmonton up 2-0 on Brandon.

Jankowski was in Kitchener last night. I'm sure Penticton result made his night.

Like many NHL scouts, I'm happy I'll get to see them in Grand Forks.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Some NHL scouts told me last night that he will not play for Canada.

That's interesting. I know he played in both USA Hockey and Hockey Canada events last year. I wonder if this means he's leaning towards the U.S.?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

If Kamloops can get by Kelowna, Dube and Johansen would be automatics (I assume ?).

If Kamloops gets knocked i'd think Pilon and Davidson would have a shot. Maybe long shots depending on who else is available and what type of players they're looking for with the last adds.