Habs defence prospect Guhle named to Team Canada
Canadiens defence prospect Kaiden Guhle is among 25 players who were named Friday to Team Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championship Dec. 25-Jan. 5 in Edmonton.
The 18-year-old Guhle, a 5-foot10, 170-pounder, was the Canadiens' first-round selection (16th overall) in this year's NHL Entry Draft. He was the only Canadiens prospect invited to the camp.
The team was announced Friday following a 26-day selection camp in Red Deer, Alta., that was interrupted by a mandatory two-week quarantine after several players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
The roster includes only two Quebecers — Val d'or Foreurs forward Jakob Pelletier of Quebec City and Devin Levi, a goaltender from Dollard-des-ormeaux who attends Northeastern University in Boston.
While the New York Rangers refused to release Alexis Lafrenière, who was the No. 1 overall pick this year, the roster includes forward Kirby Dach, who spent the past season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Six returning players won gold at the 2020 world juniors: Quinton Byfield (Newmarket, Ont./sudbury, OHL), Bowen Byram (Cranbrook, B.c./vancouver, WHL), Dylan Cozens (Whitehorse/lethbridge, WHL), Jamie Drysdale (Toronto/erie, OHL), Connor McMichael (Ajax, Ont./london, OHL) and Dawson Mercer (Bay Roberts, N.l./chicoutimi, QMJHL).
“This camp has been unconventional from the outset with the number of players invited and the length of camp, along with the schedule adjustment due to our two-week shutdown, but we feel we have selected a group that will give us the best chance to defend our gold medal on home ice,” said Team Canada's Alan Millar, who headed the selection committee.
“It is never easy making decisions to trim down a roster, especially when every player handled adversity, faced challenges head on and remained committed to the process through our off-ice workouts and Zoom sessions,” added Millar. “We have a lot of people to thank, including the people of Red Deer, the Red Deer Rebels (WHL) and Alberta Health Services, who worked with us to always ensure the health and safety of our athletes, staff and the community at large, and we look forward to representing Canada in Edmonton.”
The tournament begins on Christmas Day with three games before Canada kicks off its tournament schedule on Dec. 26 against Germany at 6 p.m. TSN and RDS will broadcast all 28 tournament games and the 10 pre-tournament games that begin Dec. 20. TSN Radio will also provide tournament coverage, including all Team Canada pre-tournament and tournament games through to the gold-medal game.