Junior stars ready for close-up
Canada-Russia Series a chance for players to impress world junior coach Tim Hunter
TORONTO — There’s more on the line than just winning for some players at the 2018 CHL CanadaRussia Series. A standout performance could be the difference between watching or playing in the upcoming IIHF world junior hockey championship.
The annual series showcasing the Canadian Hockey League’s top talents begins Monday when the 22 skaters representing the Western Hockey League face Russia’s national junior team in Kamloops, B.C.
Tim Hunter, head coach of Canada’s under-20 squad, will be behind the WHL bench for a firsthand look at players that could potentially crack the Canadian team preparing to defend their gold medal.
“We’re looking to reward guys that have had good starts to their season, with also an opportunity for us to watch them, coach them, get to know them and for the Hockey Canada side to see if they’re capable of selection camp in December,” said Hunter, who coaches the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors.
The Canada-Russia Series started in 2003 and consists of six games against the Russian junior national team. Each of the three leagues making up the CHL — the WHL, Ontario Hockey
League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — will face off against Russia twice.
Many WHL players chosen this year have had past experience with Hockey Canada at various levels, and some were invited to this past summer’s World Junior Showcase led by Hunter.
Goaltender Ian Scott of the Prince Albert Raiders, however, was passed over in June and wasn’t sure if playing at the world juniors was realistic. But a strong start to the season, including being named WHL goalie of the month for October, earned him another look from Hunter at the Canada-Russia Series.
“It’s definitely one of the steps to crack that squad,” Scott said. “It was one of my goals that I worked for.”
“We never close our doors to guys that didn’t make it to summer camp,” said Hunter. “Players develop and mature at different rates and you have to give guys a chance.”
The six-game series has largely been made up of veteran junior players already drafted to National Hockey League clubs in years past, but this year’s team has four draft-eligible 17-year-olds.
Forwards Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades, Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Nolan Foote of the Kelowna Rockets join Byram as NHL drafteligible prospects on the WHL squad. Warriors defenceman Josh Brook will captain Team WHL, while Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Jordy Bellerive, Everett Silvertips forward Connor Dewar and Portland Winterhawks forward Cody Glass will serve as alternate captains.
All 22 players will be in action with their WHL clubs over the weekend and will join in Kamloops Sunday night for a team meeting, followed by a Monday morning skate.
Game 2 will go Tuesday in Vancouver before the series shifts to Ontario on Thursday for games in Sarnia and Oshawa between Team OHL and Russia. Russia’s final two games will be against Team QMJHL starting Nov. 13 in Sherbrooke, Que., and Nov. 15 in Drummondville, Que.
CHL teams have played to an overall record of 61-22-7, with the WHL splitting last year’s two-game set to see its record go to 20-7-3.
As of Wednesday, the top 10 teams in the CHL rankings are: 1. Prince Albert Raiders (WHL, 15-1-0); 2. Ottawa 67’s (OHL, 12-3-1); 3. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL, 12-3-1); 4. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL, 12-4-0); 5. Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL, 12-4-0); 6. Vancouver Giants (WHL, 11-3-2); 7. Victoria Royals (WHL, 9-3-0); 8. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL, 10-3-3); 9. Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL, 12-3-2).; 10. Red Deer Rebels (WHL, 10-4-1).