Quintet to watch during Canada Russia Series
Hockey fans can check in on Canucks prospect Woo during games in Kamloops and Langley
The CIBC Canada Russia Series, which Hockey Canada tags as part of its process in putting together Team Canada for the world juniors, visits the Sandman Centre in Kamloops on Monday and the Langley Events Centre on Tuesday.
Here’s a look at five notable players from Team WHL that will face the Russians:
JETT WOO Defence, Moose Jaw Warriors
There will undoubtedly be Vancouver Canucks fans at the LEC Tuesday specifically to check out Woo, 18, a Winnipeg native and Vancouver’s second-round pick, 37th overall, in last summer’s draft. Canucks boosters are slated to have another opportunity to see him when the Warriors visit the Giants Jan. 19.
His physical game and his history with Team Canada coach Tim Hunter, who is also the bench boss with Moose Jaw, could have the Canucks faithful watching him at the world juniors in Vancouver over the holiday break. Woo, who measures in at six feet, 203 pounds, was on the ice in the waning seconds of Canada’s 6-5 win over the Americans at the Summer Showcase in Kamloops in August, which suggests Hunter has trust in him.
Woo missed Moose Jaw’s first four games with an injury and has one goal, five points, an even plus-minus and 12 penalty minutes in the 11 games he has suited up.
SCOTT WALFORD Defence, Victoria Royals
Walford, 19, is a 2017 thirdround choice of the Montreal Canadiens and the 6-foot-2, 198 pounder from Coquitlam is another steady, dependable type. Walford, who missed the playoffs last year and had shoulder surgery over the summer, told the Victoria Times Colonist he’s been “getting rid of the rust,” this season. He has five assists, a plusone rating and 14 penalty minutes in 12 games with Victoria.
JORDY BELLERIVE Forward, Lethbridge Hurricanes
The North Vancouver product suffered severe burns to his hands and other parts of his body during a back yard bonfire gone awry June 15 near Calgary. Bellerive, 19, was back skating in late July, although he did pull out of the Summer Showcase in Kamloops because he felt he wasn’t quite ready.
The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Bellerive, a free agent signee with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has eight goals, 19 points, a plus-one rating and 14 penalty minutes through 16 games with Lethbridge.
NOLAN FOOTE Forward, Kelowna Rockets
The late birthday 2019 NHL Draft eligible player comes into the Canada Russia series
with seven goals in his last five games, putting him at 10 goals and 15 points in 15 games. Foote, 17, also has a plus-one rating and eight penalty minutes.
He was born in Denver. His dad is Canadian-born former NHL defenceman Adam Foote, who was recently named head coach of Kelowna. Nolan’s older brother Cal, a defenceman, is a former Rocket who played for Team Canada at last year’s world juniors. He’s playing this season with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse.
BRETT LEASON Forward, Prince Albert Raiders
The 19-year-old from Calgary has no previous Hockey Canada ties, but it’s tough to ignore a 6-foot-4, 199 pounder who leads the WHL in goals (17) and is tied for the league lead in points (39) through 17 games.
Leason, passed over in the past two NHL Drafts, had 51 points in 135 regular season games in the WHL going into this season. Prince Albert landed him in a trade with the Tri-City Americans last October for a 2018 third-round bantam draft pick.
Prince Albert, who are 16-1-0-0, make a B.C. road swing in January, including a Jan. 24 stop at the LEC. The Raiders are looking to win their first playoff round since 2004-05.