Canada may have lost returnee, Formenton

Speedy forward on crutches, but listed as day-to-day for now

COLWOOD, B.C. — One of Canada’s two returning players was on crutches Thursday and awaiting word from doctors about when he can hit the ice again after suffering a leg injury Wednesday in a warm-up game ahead of the world junior hockey tournament.

Forward Alex Formenton tried to cut through the defence on a high-speed rush late in overtime but fell awkwardly and ended up skating to the bench without putting any pressure on his right leg.

National team director Shawn Bullock said Formenton is listed as day-to-day and no decisions are being made about his future with the team, which starts tournament play on Dec. 26 against Denmark at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.

“I don’t want to get into any type of synopsis that I would be able to share with you,” said Bullock. “Our doctors are doing a great job. We’re certainly looking at his right leg and we’ll have a better feel in the future.”

He said team officials have spoken with the 19-year-old’s parents, his junior team, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, and the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, who drafted Formenton in 2017.

Formenton is viewed as one of Canada’s veteran leaders, said Bullock.

“He’s a guy who was with us last year and a big contributor to our success,” Bullock said. “You can’t buy experience. He’s very meaningful to our team, but the beauty of our country is we have depth.”

Bullock said forwards Gabe Vilardi, a Los Angeles Kings draft pick, and Jaret Anderson-Dolan, also a Kings draft choice, are other players on the injury list who are skating with the team at its selection camp.

Bullock said injuries are a fact of team play and team’s must make adjustments constantly.

“Any time you get involved with a national junior team or under 18s or world men’s championships, nothing goes in a straight line,” Bullock said. “We’re dealt some cards we have to adapt to.”

The juniors played their second pre-tournament game Thursday against a squad of Canadian university players — losing 5-3 after winning Wednesday’s opener 3-2 in a shootout — with that three-game series wrapping up today. Canada will also play pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Slovakia and Finland next week.

There are 34 players at the selection camp and the roster will be reduced to 22 players by Saturday.