The Pats’ Josh Mahura can’t wait to face Russia.
Josh Mahura is already a primetime player with the Regina Pats, but he’s set to audition for an even more prominent role.
The 19-year-old defenceman will join Pats centre Sam Steel on Team WHL this week for the start of the CIBC Canada-Russia Series, a nationally televised exhibition featuring all-star teams from Canada’s three major junior leagues (WHL, OHL and QMJHL).
Team WHL gets the first crack at the Russians on Monday night in Moose Jaw before wrapping up the western leg of the six-game series on Tuesday night in Swift Current.
“It’s going to be awesome to play with the best players around the league,” said Mahura, a first-time participant in the annual series. “The Canada-Russia rivalry is always there. It’s fun doing these kinds of things and, playing an international team like Russia, it’s pretty easy to get up for.”
Bragging rights won’t be the only thing on the line for Team WHL. The players are also looking to impress Hockey Canada’s coaches and scouts, who will use the series to evaluate talent for the upcoming world junior championship in Buffalo.
Mahura is already on Canada’s radar after he and Steel were invited to join the national junior program for a summer development camp and exhibition tournament in Plymouth, Mich.
Mahura hopes to take the next step toward world juniors with a strong showing at the CanadaRussia Series, but — with a childhood dream at stake — there’s always the risk of putting too much pressure on himself.
Mahura’s solution is to “not think about it,” he said. “Just go in looking to play your game.”
The puck-moving defender is in the midst of a fine season with the Pats, recording seven goals and 16 points in 14 games since he returned from training camp with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. He missed two games in late October with a leg injury, but quickly returned to form, highlighted by a two-goal effort in Regina’s 4-3 comeback win over the Red Deer Rebels on Friday.
“I think I’ve been doing pretty good,” said Mahura, a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL draft. “I missed a couple games and I felt a little slow coming back, but the last couple of games, I’ve definitely been feeling back up to pace.”
At the rate he’s going, Mahura is a strong candidate to be invited to Canada’s tryout camp in midDecember. If he earns a spot on the final 22-man roster, the Pats will have to make do without their top defenceman for about a month.
“We know that’s a possibility with how he’s played,” said head coach and general manager John Paddock. “He had a good camp (with Team Canada) in August. There are some real good defencemen in our league. I don’t know what’s (in the east), but there has to be some good defencemen down there, too.
“It’s going to be an interesting battle.”