Perry gunning for World Cup spot
Two-time Olympic gold medallist has stepped up play since October
Rejection can be one heck of a motivator.
When the World Cup of Hockey preliminary rosters were revealed back in March, Canada’s head coach Mike Babcock joked it was a 16-player list that even his wife could have predicted. And yet, there were some curious omissions.
No P.K. Subban? No Phil Kessel for the U.S., John Klingberg for Sweden or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Shayne Gostisbehere for Team North America?
But perhaps the biggest surprise was not including Corey Perry on Canada’s initial 16-man roster. This was a two-time Olympic gold medallist who had represented Canada at five international competitions. And though he and the Anaheim Ducks had started off slowly this season — Perry went without a goal in October — the pesky power forward had gone on a tear with 26 goals over the following four months.
Some suggested that if 17 players were named, Perry would already be on the team. And maybe that’s true. But just in case, he reminded everyone what Canada was missing.
On the day that the roster was announced, Perry scored a goal in a 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. The following night he had a goal and two assists. He finished with 11 goals and 21 points in his final 22 games.
“I’m sure he’s had a chip on his shoulder since,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf told Postmedia News. “The one thing about Perry that I know is he doesn’t talk a whole lot but that things affect him. It’s not the whole team. It’s 16 players. I’m sure he’ll be on it.”
Perry is continuing to prove his worth. After getting eliminated from the first round of the playoffs, he joined Canada at the world championships, where he has been named team captain. It was a calculated decision. While the Stanley Cup playoffs are a perfect opportunity to boost your profile, for those who did not qualify or were eliminated early, the world championships can serve a similar purpose — especially with Canada’s World Cup head coach Mike Babcock in Russia evaluating players.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of motivation because you still have to prove yourself every night,” Perry told Postmedia News in March. “You have to go out and do the right things and play hockey. Let the chips fall where they fall. I’m not taking anything for granted.”
It’s not just Perry. Here is a look at five players who have played their way onto their respective teams.
Brent Burns, Canada
His beard tends to get most of the focus these days. But Burns, named a Norris Trophy finalist after leading defencemen with 27 goals and finishing second to Erik Karlsson with 75 points this season, has really turned it on for the Sharks in the post-season. He headed into Thursday tied for second in overall scoring with 11 points in eight games.
Phil Kessel, U.S.
After leading the U.S. with five goals and eight points in six games at the Olympics, it was a slap in the face that Kessel was left off the team in favour of Justin Abdelkader.
At the time, the Penguins sniper had been shooting blanks. That’s no longer the case. With eight points in nine playoff games, Kessel is once again showing his worth as a biggame player.
Kris Letang, Canada
The Penguins defenceman likely moved past Subban on the depth chart after putting together his best season in the NHL. With 16 goals and 67 points in 71 games, Letang was an offensive juggernaut. But it is his play in the post-season, where he has seven points in eight games and is playing Duncan Keith-like minutes, which have really stood out.
Jonathan Drouin, North America
It was not at all shocking that Drouin was left off the preliminary roster for Team North America. At the time, the 21-year-old wasn’t playing in the NHL. After refusing to report to the minors, he wasn’t even playing hockey. But with Steven Stamkos injured, Drouin has filled the offensive void for Tampa Bay with eight points in eight games.
Alex Pietrangelo, Canada
In eliminating the Chicago Blackhawks, the St. Louis Blues finally slayed their dragon. A big reason for that was Pietrangelo, who has been a horse during these playoffs. The minute-munching defenceman had a goal and six points in the seven-game series and was instrumental in limiting Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews to just one combined goal.