On the eve of the 2020 World Juniors, there is a lot to be proud of in Ostrava as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey get set to square off in a matinee battle. This has been the case since selection camp started in Oakville, Ontario which saw Dale Hunter compile a roster consisting of 31 eligible players.
However, after a camp that went on for four days, the first round of cuts were made shortly thereafter. This would see Cole Perfetti, Thomas Harley and Connor Zary be cut, though six more players would be part of the process, trimming the roster to 24 players.
Joining these three in departure would be Dylan Holloway, Alex Newhook and Peyton Krebs, meanwhile, a pair of defensemen would be turned away alongside Hunter Jones. This would include Braden Schneider and Peter Diliberatore of the NCAA.
With Hunter Jones amongst the nine cuts, it left Hockey Canada with with only three goaltenders, these being Nico Daws of the OHL’s Guelph Storm in addition to Joel Hofer and Olivier Rodrigue. Of course, with two weeks, this meant that one more cut from the group was still pending. As for the last game in Oakville, it saw Team Canada fall 2-1 to USports, however, during the game, it was announced that Barrett Hayton would be released from Arizona to the World Juniors.
With that being said, after touching down in Vienna and Brno last weekend, the group, led by Hunter and Andre Tourigny, have been hard at work making final decisions. As such, after six days of prepping, the axe finally fell from within on Saturday. This would see Hockey Canada release Benoit-Olivier Groulx back to the Halifax Mooseheads. However, as luck would have it, just two days later, Groulx was traded to Moncton for a pair of draft picks.
While none of these are easy decisions, the process to making them is dreadful and gruelling and as Shawn Bullock recounted shortly after, much credit is due to those involved in selection. “The management group and coaches have done a terrific job working with the players and finalizing the roster. This team has a lot of skill, a good mix of youth and experience and, most importantly, is a group of quality young men.”
Speaking to that skill and raw talent following games against Finland, the U.S. and Team Germany, the Canadian roster was set in stone with seven defensemen, 13 forwards and three goaltenders. As for the notable name game which comes aplenty for the holiday tournament, the list is led by Alexis Lafreniere, Jared McIsaac, Ty Smith and Joe Veleno. As well, all four, alongside Hayton, all happen to be returnees representing Team Canada.
Despite the obvious, however, there is much more for the team to look forward to as Quinton Byfield prepares for his debut, representing his country alongside Jamie Drysdale. Speaking of which, the 17-year-old will lead Team Canada’s defence ahead of Bowen Byram. While these are the standout names, the pairings include another level of talent. As such, joining Smith and McIsaac are Calen Addison and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
What also stands out for Team Canada amidst the roster that Brad McEwen has shaped is the fact that it includes five undrafted players and one in college in Jacob Bernard-Docker. The 19-year-old defensemen is currently playing with North Dakota. With that in mind, Team Canada’s roster is formed as follows:
Alexis Lafreniere (F)
Barrett Hayton (F)
Jared McIsaac (D)
Ty Smith (D)
Joe Veleno (F)
Calen Addison (D)
Jacob Bernard-Docker (D)
Nico Daws (G)
Joel Hofer (G)
Olivier Rodrigue (G)
Quinton Byfield (F)
Jamie Drysdale (D)
Bowen Byram (D)
Dawson Mercer (F)
Liam Foudy (F)
Akil Thomas (F)
Ty Dellandrea (F)
Dylan Cozens (F)
Aidan Dudas (F)
Nolan Foote (D)
Kevin Bahl (D)
Connor McMichael (F)
Raphael Lavoie (F)
After exhibition play ended on Monday following a 4-2 win over Team Finland, Team Canada continued internally to finalize details still lingering about. With that being said, the team announced on Wednesday morning that Barrett Hayton had been named Canada’s captain after being loaned from the NHL. Joining the centreman as alternates are Joe Veleno of the QMJHL, Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs and Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds.
When speaking about the leadership that he was assigned by head coach Dale Hunter, Hayton told TSN’s Mark Masters, “Just incredibly honoured. This is the tournament you grew up watching and you idolized the guys who played here so to be able to lead this team is a special feeling. Having that responsibility is something I love and have a lot of pride in.”
For Hayton, who plays for the Greyhounds, this is a new level reached in his career and with the experience that he brings from the Coyotes, he’ll be looking to maximize on it more in Ostrava. His first challenge, however, is against the U.S. to kick things off on Thursday.
When speaking about the historic battle and the expectations that fall in line with it, Bernard-Docker said after Canada’s practice, “Heated. Two countries that don’t like each other playing against each other.” This was then agreed upon by Barrett Hayton who brings aggression to the team. “That’s what you think about when you think of international competition. It’ll definitely be an intense game.”
With a fight expected in Ostrava, Team Canada finds themselves up for the challenge with a roster of talent and intensity jam-packed and ready to put on a matinee performance. When speaking about the excitement and anticipation that comes with this contest, Joe Veleno said, “The boys are really hyped up. Going to be a lot of chirping and some physicality going on.”
Going up against the United States, it won’t be easy which brings that excitement as Team Canada will face the likes of Cole Caufield, Mattias Samuelsson and Nick Robertson. As cited by TSN, Robertson is expected to play a key role and when asked after practice on Wednesday about Cole Caufield from a hockey IQ standpoint, he said, “He’s so skilled and so smart, it’s incredible.”
Cole Caufield, a Canadiens prospect, later spoke about expectations and when asked by The Canadian Press about the history these two sides have shared, he said, “That rivalry’s one like no other. It’s country versus country. It’s not just a team versus a team. It’s going to be so special to be a part of it.”
Speaking of the American sniper, he joined the record book earlier this year when he tied Alex Ovechkin’s goals record (14) at the under-18 Worlds in Ornskoldsvik and Umea. When asked about the impact that has and any lingering effects it will play on this tournament, he said, “That’s in the past now, I think there’s a lot of things I need to prove in this tournament too.”
Caufield was not alone in discussing the meeting that would lie ahead as Mattias Samuelsson, Team USA’s captain, said of the heat that will heavily factor it, “Neither team likes each other. It’ll be a good game to start.”
Having seen some pre-tournament game action, the players are ready for all possible outcomes and when speaking about what has to happen and how systems will play a role for teams early on, Ty Dellandrea said, “You’ve got a big test right away. It’ll be good for us to bring our game to the highest level right off the start.”
Dellandrea also spoke about the election of Barrett Hayton as captain and after a pair of games now under his wing, the Dallas Stars drift pick told The Canadian Press, “A lot of people think of him as a skill guy, but he’s tough and aggressive and that’s underrated about him. The way he carries himself, everybody listens to him.”
While Barrett Hayton embarks on a new challenge, he is keeping his head down on the ice as rumours have circulated in recent days indicating he may be traded if sent back to the Greyhounds. However, with that not being his focus, he’s keeping his attention on the task out before him. With regards to the whirlwind his career has seen as his progress continues, Hayton said, “It’s been crazy. I still haven’t really taken it all in yet. It’s one of those things … I don’t know if I’ll be able to appreciate it as much as I should until I look back.”
As far as things go on the captaincy front, Barrett Hayton told The Canadian Press, “I was just incredibly honoured. You idolize the guys who play here.” Dale Hunter also spoke of the centreman after coming to a verdict to give him the ‘C’ and when discussing the reason he got it, the former NHL bench coach told The Canadian Press, “He’s a leader. On and off the ice he’s a character kid.”
While there’s a first time for everything, Barrett Hayton will take it all in, but he’s not alone as goaltender Nico Daws is with Hockey Canada for the first time in his career. Daws comes about from the Guelph Storm where he has put up record numbers all season and after two shutouts during pre-tournament action, it’s likely he will be given the start on Thursday.
When speaking about his role for Team Canada, the 19-year-old native of Burlington said, “It’s a big setting. Very intimidating, I guess you could say. But I’m just there to stop pucks.” After a difficult conclusion last winter, Daws will be looking to limit opponents while keeping Team Canada in the game a full sixty-minutes.
The Canadians enter this year’s tournament after falling short to Team Finland last winter, a game they dropped in the quarterfinals while looking to get back there this winter in Ostrava. When asked about what’s needed to endure such a match like this, Barrett Hayton said, “I don’t think there are any words needed. We all have that fire inside of us.”
When these teams last met in Buffalo, the Canadians fell to the U.S. in a shootout and after falling to the Finns last winter, a game that saw them drop the gold medal final, the Americans are equally as passionate to claim the victory in their 49th meeting. When speaking to the loss in Victoria, Mattias Samuelsson told The Canadian Press, “Last year was a heartbreaker. That feeling that you had, you don’t want it again.”
For the U.S., much like the Canadians, Samuelsson is one of five players returning and after a week of preparations in Europe which saw a pair of morning practices and game action, it left both countries not only feeling ready, but antsy to battle in the boxing day classic. When speaking with regards to the attitudes that are required for a game of this magnitude, Shane Pinto said, “There’s no putting your foot into the water — you’ve got to go full in. It’s going to be a tough one, but I think we’re ready.”
This was the message re-iterated by Dale Hunter, Team Canada’s bench boss, as he said when discussing the rivalry being renewed in the Czech Republic, “This is what you drive for. They’re a good team, we’re a good team. That’s what’s going to make it a heck of a hockey game. You want that adrenaline. You want to be in the action. That’s what it’s all about.”
Following Canada’s 6-4 victory over the U.S. on Thursday in Ostrava, Barrett Hayton looks to lead his team when they take on Russia on Saturday in Ostrava. With a win to break open the tournament, Team Canada is off to a stellar beginning and with that said, will be looking to build on it while seeking their 18th World Juniors Championship.
The headliner, being played on Friday, will be available to take in on cable on TSN 1, 4 and 5 and RDS while found online using TSN GO. Puck drop on Saturday is scheduled for 1:00pmET from Ostravar Arena with Ray Ferraro and Gord Miller on the call, providing wall-to-wall game coverage and in-depth analysis.