Millar embraces opportunity with juniors

Alan Millar didn't hesitate to accept the challenge after being named to a management role with Team Canada for the 202021 world junior hockey championship.

Millar was eager to sink his teeth into the player evaluation and selection process, which usually includes a summer development camp and the Canada-russia Series. Millar's job also involves travelling across Canada and the U.S. to scout prospective talent.

Unfortunately, “none of that happened” due to COVID-19.

“We're finding it very challenging but at the same time I think we understood the circumstances for some time now,” he said. “As a group we've worked very hard to do the best we can ... when a good portion of our team has not played a meaningful game since March.”

This is Millar's third year on the management group with Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence. He helped oversee the under-18 teams that won gold and silver at the past two Hlinka tournaments.

There will be a lot of carry-over from those teams to the one to represent Canada at this year's world juniors in Edmonton. Millar believes the familiarity between players and staff will be a huge benefit.

“I'm really proud of our (management) group,” he said. “The guys have worked their butts off. We all know the importance of the tournament. Regardless of the circumstances, we want to win.”

Since the QMJHL is the only CHL partner to play games this fall, Canada's staff has done a lot of video scouting in preparation for next month's final selection camp.

The process began with a raw list of 80 to 90 players that was paired down to 45 for the virtual summer development camp.

Millar and Co. have had to do their work from long distance, participating in conference calls as they hone in on the final candidates and assemble a depth chart.

The absence of games in the OHL and WHL is bad news for under-the-radar players from those leagues. That means fewer surprise candidates like Tyler Steenbergen, Brett Leason and JC Lipon, each of whom came out of the woodwork in recent years after strong starts with their WHL teams.

“We always say there are guys that pop who maybe weren't at the summer camp or weren't on the radar,” Millar said. “They've grown, they're faster, they're stronger.”

While conceding that it's no easy task forming a team during a pandemic, Millar continues to embrace the challenge.

“I feel fortunate to have this opportunity ... in very unique circumstances. It kept me real busy.”