Canada preparing to defend world title
Ex-IceDog Phil Tomasino among OHL players invited to selection camp
The last Niagara IceDog selected in the first round of the National Hockey League draft has been invited by Hockey Canada to the national junior team selection camp getting underway later this month in Alberta.
Forward Phil Tomasino, who wrapped up 2019-20 with the Oshawa Generals after two-plus seasons in Niagara, is among 18 Ontario Hockey League players selected to take part in the camp taking place Nov. 16-Dec. 13 in Red Deer.
The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hand shot from Mississauga had 22 goals, 35 assists for 57 points in 36 games for the IceDogs before scoring 18 goals and collecting 25 assists for 43 points in 26 games in the Generals lineup.
Tomasino, Niagara’s first pick in the 2017 OHL draft with the fifth overall selection, went to Oshawa in a blockbuster trade deadline deal for nine draft picks over five years. In addition to second- and fourthround selections in this year’s draft, the IceDogs restocked their depleted cupboard of prospects with a second-round pick in 2021, three second-round picks in 2023 as well as a second-, third- and fourthround pick in 2024.
He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators in October 2019 after being taken by the team in the first round with the 24th pick in that summer’s NHL draft.
Forty-six players in all, including 11 forwards, five defencemen and two goaltenders from the OHL, will be auditioning for roster spots on the team that will represent Canada at the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship Dec. 25-Jan. 5 in Edmonton.
Sudbury Wolves forward Quinton Byfield, Erie Otters defenceman Jamie Drysdale and London Knights forward Connor McMichael headline the OHL hopefuls invited to the camp. All three won gold for Canada at the 2020 world championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic and each was picked in the opening round of this year’s NHL draft: Byfield, second overall, Los Angeles; Drysdale, sixth, Anaheim; McMichael, 25th, Washington.
Auditions for the national team will be held at Westerner Park Centrium, home of the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. Hockey Canada, the sport’s national governing camp, said enhanced measures around testing and team protocols will be followed to ensure health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although this has been a difficult year for our athletes and staff, we are excited to unveil the 46 players who will compete for a spot on Canada’s national junior team,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams for Hockey Canada said. “We know our athletes are excited for the opportunity to defend gold on home ice this year.
“We expect a highly competitive selection camp with a number of difficult decisions to be made when it comes to select the players who will wear the Maple Leaf in Edmonton in December.
Salmond received assistance in leading the roster selection from Ben Shutron, manager of national teams for Hockey Canada, and Alan Millar, the under-20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group. Additional input was provided by head coach Andre Tourigny of the Ottawa 67’s, assistant coaches Michael Dyck, Vancouver Giants; Mitch Love, Saskatoon Blades; as well as from coaches and general managers in the three leagues under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella: Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Western Hockey League, OHL.
In addition to practices and three intrasquad games, a camp taking place in a “cohort bubble” will include six exhibition games against a team of U Sports all-stars before the national team leaves Red Deer and enters the Edmonton bubble. The camp will be closed to the public and the media.
Hockey Canada’s executive officer said protecting the health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic is of paramount importance.
“As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, Hockey Canada has taken important steps to maintain the health and safety of our national junior team athletes and staff, as well as the community at large, during selection camp and throughout the world juniors,” Tom Renney said. “As much as we would enjoy allowing fans into the building to support Team Canada throughout the camp, we need to be responsible as well to keep all parties safe before teams enter the bubble in Edmonton.”
The 2021 world junior hockey championship is tentatively scheduled to begin Christmas Day with three games. Canada opens play at the 10-team tournament the following night against Germany.
At the last championship, Akil Thomas, a Los Angeles Kings and IceDogs captain at the time, scored the game-winning goal with 3:54 remaining in regulation to give Canada a 4-3 victory over Russia. He was dealt to the Peterborough Petes for forward Cameron Butler and four draft picks, also in a trade deadline deal.
Thomas, who is eligible to return to Peterborough for an over-age season, was assigned by the Kings to begin the 2020-21 season with Berlin in Germany’s elite league.