WORLD JUNIORS
Steel hoping to make cut
After being released by Canada’s world junior team nearly a year ago, Sam Steel is hoping to be a cut above this time around.
Hockey Canada confirmed the inevitable on Wednesday, announcing that the Regina Pats’ star centre will be among 32 hopefuls at the world junior selection camp — an event that will also include Steel’s teammate, defenceman Josh Mahura.
The four-day camp is to begin Tuesday in St. Catharines, Ont. The top 23 players will represent Canada at the world juniors, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Buffalo, N.Y.
“It’s definitely a team that I want to be on,” the 19-year-old Steel said. “I came pretty close last year. It’s my last chance at it, so if I get that opportunity it will be a huge honour.”
The same sentiment is held by Mahura, a first-time invitee to the selection camp.
“As a kid in Canada growing up, you watch (the world juniors) and you go to the outdoor rink after watching games and pretend like you’re playing in them,” the 19-year-old Mahura said. “Just everything about it would be an awesome experience.”
The camp roster will also include forwards Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors), Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos) and Shaunavon-born Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets).
Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Kale Clague — the 19-year-old son of former Pats goaltender Jason Clague — will also attend the selection camp. The Wheat Kings’ Clague is a nephew of former Pats centre Trevor Hanas, who is from Regina.
Among the world junior candidates, Steel is one of the marquee players after leading the WHL and CHL in scoring last season.
He amassed 131 points (including 50 goals) while helping the Pats capture the Eastern Conference title.
He was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round (30th overall) of the 2016 NHL draft. In the third round of that draft, Anaheim claimed Mahura 85th overall.
Steel, Mahura and the Pats were to visit the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday before beginning a five-game home stand.
The Pats’ duo will be available Friday against Kelowna and Saturday versus the Medicine Hat Tigers before leaving for St. Catharines on Monday.
The Rockets’ roster includes two camp invitees — Lind and defenceman Cal Foote.
Beginning next week, the Pats will have to compensate for the absence of some star power.
“I would think that (Steel) is a lock (to make the world junior team) this year and I would think that Josh is in strong contention for a job, so we’ll just go with that,” Pats head coach and general manager John Paddock said. “With planning, it’s just going to give guys opportunities.”
Paddock anticipates some linejuggling that would likely move Matt Bradley, a natural centre who has been playing the wing alongside Steel and Nick Henry, to the middle.
Bradley, Jake Leschyshyn and Koby Morrisseau are to be the Pats’ top three centres in Steel’s absence.
Although there is a void to fill, the Pats are hardly unique in that regard.
“All rosters are going to change somewhat,” Paddock noted. “We’re just going to hopefully keep getting better as the season goes on.”
Despite the roster adjustments that are necessitated by the world juniors, Paddock figures the team ultimately stands to benefit — although some precautions have to be taken even after the tournament.
“Any experience like that is really good for those individuals, but I think there’s a rest factor in it,” said Paddock, whose team is guaranteed a spot in a Regina-based Memorial Cup in May.
“We have to realize those things and talk about extra rest and so forth, because we know we’re still going to be playing for 4 1/2 months after that. That’s what’s really important.
“I think there’s lots of plusses to it. It’s good for the organization. It’s good for those guys. But there’s also the tiredness and the possibility that you’re not quite as good a team when you’re going through it. It sort of balances out, but we’re glad for them and obviously hope that they do really well if they make the team.”
It’s definitely a team that I want to be on. I came pretty close last year … so if I get that opportunity it will be a huge honour.