Scheifele taking right-wing position
‘I think it’s an easy transition,’ Barrie Colt says
It’s a little early to determine line combinations for Team Canada, but there was plenty of buzz over the top trio on Team Red in the selection camp’s opening session at WinSport.
Action Tuesday morning saw Edmonton Oilers centreman Ryan NugentHopkins with Jonathan Huberdeau on his left wing and Mark Scheifele on his right.
Scheifele, like NugentHopkins, normally lines up at centre but he had been informed of the potential position swap before arriving in Calgary and was given instructions with his Ontario Hockey League club, the Barrie Colts, to work on specific drills.
“We were working on getting the puck out, chipping pucks out, hitting the centreman, feeling what it’s like to have D pressure you when you pinch down the wall,” he was saying following the morning skate. “Playing centre, you have a lot more defensive responsibility down low, compared to the wing where you’re up high blocking shots.”
He’ll take it, of course, if it means being on a line with Huberdeau and NugentHopkins.
“I just keep telling those guys to communicate with me,” said the Winnipeg Jets draft pick, who played in seven games with the club last fall. “I think it’s an easy transition, I just have to work hard at it. I tried it for a few practices when I was with Winnipeg last year. Everyone says it’s not too tough, though. When they called me about the selection camp, they talked to me about playing the wing. There are just different responsibilities.”
Another great line
JC Lipon, the WHL’s leading scorer, who is considered a dark horse as an undrafted 19-year-old, was on the right wing with Halifax Mooseheads stars Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin — a line that would make anyone jealous.
MacKinnon, who is projected to go first overall at the 2013 NHL draft, and Drouin, also a highly touted 2013 draft pick, are both fast, skilled, and can put the puck in the net.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, you’re playing with two 17-yearolds.’ But they’re unreal,” bubbled Lipon, who was being watched by his Kamloops Blazers teammates in town to play the Calgary Hitmen. “You pass to them and they’re there. They’re pretty fast dudes. I am just going to take the body and hopefully get open and they’ll find me.”
Tuesday’s morning session was well-attended by the NHL-lockout starved media — which took Lipon by surprise.
“Seeing all the people in the stands, it’s kind of nerve-racking,” he said. “It was fun. Cool. Fast-paced out there. Guys were huffing and puffing because of the Alberta altitude. “Obviously, it’s your first time out there. A little weird, a little shaky. But once you get out there, everyone kind of compliments each other and it’s fun.”
Harrington’s team on a roll
Scott Harrington left the London Knights with mixed feelings.
On one hand, the 19-yearold Knights captain and Canadian world junior returning defenceman returned to Calgary for the national team selection camp — a thrilling process that he’ll go through for a second time around this year.
On the other hand, his Ontario Hockey League club is rolling with an impressive franchise-tying 18game win streak.
Harrington had arrived Monday after chipping in for victory No. 18, a 5-2 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.
“It’s kind of unfortunate we didn’t start earlier so I would have been there to help them break the record,” said the Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick, who went 54th overall in 2011. “But it’s exciting to be here at camp.
“I’m obviously very confident with the way the season has gone for myself and my team so far.”
Harrington said, in some ways, it was tough to leave the Knights (26-5-0-2) who currently lead the OHL with a healthy 54 points.
“It’s been great,” said the reliable blueliner who has a goal and eight assists and is a plus-9 in 33 games for the Knights. “We started winning some games and didn’t really think of trying to put together a streak, but the month of November was kind to us and we kept winning.
“It’s unfortunate timing, I guess, in a way. But I’m excited to be here, for sure.”
Three goalies going to Ufa
Early into his junior hockey career, Jordan Binnington was tested on the big stage.
He was just a few months shy of his 18th birthday when he went to the Memorial Cup with the Owen Sound Attack, where he was named the top goalie of the tournament.
And Binnington, a St. Louis Blues draft pick, is using that to his advantage heading into this week’s selection camp where he’s up against fellow Ontario Hockey League goalie Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls, Jake Paterson of the Saginaw Spirit, and Laurent Brossoit of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
“You see everything a little bit differently with experience under your belt,” said Binnington, who has a 17-6-1-2 record with a 2.31 goals against average and 0.930 save percentage with the Attack this year. “Over the years, I’ve had some great leaders teach me the ways, I guess.
“And from what I’ve seen, you’ve just got to stick to your game plan and stay composed.”
Head coach Steve Spott has seen a lot of Binnington over the years, coaching the Kitchener Rangers. However, he’s relatively new to Hockey Canada’s radar.
“I’ve never really gotten an opportunity like this to represent your country,” he said. “Things have been going well this year. I didn’t get invited to the CanadaRussia series this summer, but (Hockey Canada goal-tending coach) Ron Tugnutt was saying the most important camp to make is this one.
“So I’m here, I’m ready, and hopefully it goes well.”
Although two jobs are technically up for grabs — and, likely, one starting job — Hockey Canada is taking three goaltenders to Ufa, Russia, this year for emergency purposes.
Not only are they judging performances during the short camp, team brass also need to determine which goalie is the right fit for the group.
“If you’re selected as the third guy, it’s still an honour,” Binnington said. “You have to be a cheerleader, I guess you’d say. You’ve gotta be ready though and keep battling. I’m going in here looking for the No. 1 job, obviously. That’s what everyone wants.
“You just have to make the best of your opportunity, you know?
Covering all the details
Hockey Canada truly thinks of everything, including strategic hotel roommates based on age, ability, and experience.
Hence the reason they paired Nugent-Hopkins, who went first overall to the Edmonton Oilers in 2011, with MacKinnon, who is projected to go first overall in 2013, together.
“The one thing we try to cover off is all of the details,” Spott said. “On and off the ice. When we put our rooming list together, it’s getting guys together and making sure they’re compatible.
“Obviously for players like Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, there’s a lot of pressure on those young guys. Those are two young men that have unique experiences.
“I think if there’s someone that could lend some advice to Nathan it would be Ryan.”