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Post by drkcloud on Nov 29, 2010 14:15:51 GMT -5
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Post by Lord Bebop on Nov 30, 2010 17:39:40 GMT -5
I think Leblanc should have a pretty good chance of making the team. Bournival and Gallagher will just have to have an incredible camp performance to get a spot.
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Post by Douper on Dec 9, 2010 12:27:17 GMT -5
Where's Kristo and Tinordi for the American team?
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Post by duster on Dec 9, 2010 12:42:49 GMT -5
The U.S team has plenty to choose from. Word is Tinordi is not having a good time of it in London. Only 2 assists and a -6 in 24 games on a struggling Knights team. It seems Kristo has regressed this year for some reason.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 9, 2010 17:35:29 GMT -5
Where's Kristo and Tinordi for the American team? No Tinordi, as he was cut from the summer camp and not named to the final roster recently. A tough year for him overall, but still lots of hockey to be played. Kristo is too old. Last year was his last year of eligibility, and he went out in style with a nice fat gold medal. |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 10, 2010 1:31:11 GMT -5
Article on Louis on TSN.ca
After missing the cut last year, Montreal Canadiens prospect Louis Leblanc made sure to put himself in the best possible situation to make Canada's World Junior team this time around. Leblanc left Harvard University to play for the Montreal Juniors in the QMJHL where he would get an earlier start to the season, and give himself a greater chance to impress Team Canada coaches.
"That was a big, big factor (wanting to play for Team Canada)," said Leblanc. "Camp coming up is a huge thing for me. It's something I want to be part of and it was a big factor in my decision (to leave Harvard)."
Leblanc was the Canadiens' first-round draft pick, 18th overall, in the 2009 NHL entry draft. He was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year last year after recording 11 goals and 12 assists in 31 games for the Harvard Crimson.
Harvard's season starts much later than Canadian junior teams' however, and one of the reasons Leblanc didn't make Team Canada last year was his late start, so he made the decision to come back home and play in the QMJHL.
Despite missing time with a shoulder injury earlier in the year - Leblanc said his shoulder is now 100% healthy - the highly touted centre has put up 13 goals and 16 assists in 23 games for the Juniors. Since last year's missed cut, Leblanc said he had extra motivation to make this year's team.
"I think I showed it this summer. I had a good summer camp and I think I had a pretty decent start to the season. Now, the last step is Saturday with the last three, four days of camp. I'm excited to go and I'm eager to get going."
Leblanc had a very impressive showing at Team Canada's development camp in August and the young centre will look to emulate that performance at the starting on Saturday.
"Obviously it was this summer but I remember the camp. I'm going to get there with the same attitude, same confidence, and hopefully it goes well like that again in a few days."
Leblanc doesn't want to look too far ahead, but said he thinks he can contribute to this year's team in more ways than one.
"I just want to earn a spot right now. Hopefully I can be putting some goals in for Team Canada, but if not I think I can play a defensive role on the third or fourth line; blocking shots and being a shutdown line."
And if Leblanc does make the team? He'll only have one thing on his mind.
"Getting back the gold medal would be obviously the priority for us. Canada always wants to win gold and it'd be a great honour to be a part of that team."
Team Canada's Selection Camp begins December 11. The tournament begins in Buffalo on Boxing Day. You can see all of Canada's games on TSN, including the opener against Russia on Dec. 26 at 4pm et/1pm pt.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 11, 2010 3:23:01 GMT -5
That is impressive news on LL, who really has a spot to lose...and he should not only make the team, he should be a big part of this team offensively and/or against that tough US attack.
With all the kids lost to the NHL, this is a good old fashioned battle. My money is on the US team, they are better on paper, but my heart is with the Canadians to come through in the end!! Go Canada Go!!
Next year AB!
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Post by Bobs_HABit on Dec 14, 2010 10:43:47 GMT -5
First cuts....Gallagher out.
There were no surprises among the nine players released from the selection camp for Canada's world junior championship team on Tuesday.
Two defencemen and seven forwards got the axe in the first cuts to the 40-man camp roster.
Those getting the dreaded early morning phone call at the team's hotel were three members of the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League: defenceman Jesse Blacker and forwards Joey Hishon and Garrett Wilson.
More related to this storyScoring for fun at final intrasquad game
Also cut were five players from the Western Hockey League: defenceman Brayden McNabb of the Kootenay Ice and forwards Brendan Gallagher of the Vancouver Giants, Ryan Howse of the Chilliwack Chiefs, Brad Ross of the Portland Winterhawks and Linden Veh of the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Forward Reilly Smith of Miami University was also cut.
Another nine cuts are to be made Wednesday when the final 22-man roster is to be announced.
”It's not good for us, but it's good for our team in Owen Sound,” said Wilson, a 25-goal-scorer this season whose club leads the OHL's Midwest division with a 21-9-2 record. ”Hopefully we can go back and have a long playoff run there.”
Coach Dave Cameron and the Hockey Canada staff trimmed the roster after watching the players perform in two intrasquad games.
”It's definitely not a good feeling,” said Hishon. ”It's probably the first time I've ever been cut by a team, but it's hard to argue with Hockey Canada's decision with their track record.
”I'll be their biggest fan over Christmas. It was tough, the games were pretty scrambly and tough to show your stuff, but I can't make any excuses. I should have played better.”
The cuts included both Toronto Maple Leafs prospects in camp — Blacker and Ross — as well as one of the three Montreal Canadiens draft choices — Gallagher.
”There are a lot of positives I can take from this,” said Ross. ”I'm still young and I can try to make it next year. They're going to have a good team, and all the best to them.”
The team elected to keep all four goaltenders for an extra day, although only two of Olivier Roy, Mark Visentin, J.P. Anderson and Calvin Pickard will make the final roster.
And they kept all four ”underage” players: 17-year-olds Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan Murray and Ryan Murphy and the just-turned-18 Sean Couturier.
Final decisions will be made after a game Tuesday night against a team of university players.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 14, 2010 10:44:01 GMT -5
Gallagher amongst the first round of cuts. Leblanc and Bournival still around. Final cuts will be tomorrow morning, and likely four of those will be forwards. www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/story/?id=345454Gallagher can go back to Vancouver with his head held high, and get back to lighting up the lamp there!! He will be back in the mix for next year's team. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 14, 2010 16:35:34 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Dec 14, 2010 21:47:57 GMT -5
I would think so. Probably no questions about those eight. Who are they btw, NWT? Is Ryan Ellis in that group? If so, it's practically a rubber stamp for those 8.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 15, 2010 0:01:34 GMT -5
I would think so. Probably no questions about those eight. Who are they btw, NWT? Is Ryan Ellis in that group? If so, it's practically a rubber stamp for those 8. 4 returnees: Ellis, Cowen, de Haan and Schenn. 3 newbies who were expected to make it: Leblanc, Kassian and Johansen The 8th is Casey Cizikas who is not playing due to injury. Not sure if he is a lock or if this really hurts his chances. p.s Bournival had a nice assist on one of the team's 6 goals in a win tonight against a CIS all star team. He will make it if that is the type of player they want to add to the team, but would be considered in tough against some guys with a bit more size and offensive skill. We shall find out tomorrow morning. |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 15, 2010 1:25:29 GMT -5
I believe Leblanc can rest easier, no doubt after working his butt off to get to this point. And good for the Habs. No guys last year and many years we either have one or none at all on the Canadian team. Subban was the last I can recall, for 08 and 09.
I sure hope Bournival makes it too. I'd like to see him play.
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Post by Skilly on Dec 15, 2010 7:47:08 GMT -5
Bournival got the call last night and was sent home .... the roster is now set and it appears they went with name recognition (in typical Canadian fashion)
Forwards:
Brayden Schenn, Carter Ashton, Casey Cizikas, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Marcus Foligno, Curtis Hamilton, Quinton Howden, Ryan Johansen, Zack Kassian, Louis Leblanc, Jaden Schwartz and Sean Couturier
Defense:
Jared Cowen, Calvin de Haan, Ryan Ellis, Dylan Olsen, Simon Despres, Tyson Barrie and Erik Gudbranson.
Goalies:
Olivier Roy and Mark Visentin
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 15, 2010 11:14:26 GMT -5
Bournival got the call last night and was sent home .... the roster is now set and it appears they went with name recognition (in typical Canadian fashion) Forwards: Brayden Schenn, Carter Ashton, Casey Cizikas, Brett Connolly, Cody Eakin, Marcus Foligno, Curtis Hamilton, Quinton Howden, Ryan Johansen, Zack Kassian, Louis Leblanc, Jaden Schwartz and Sean Couturier Defense: Jared Cowen, Calvin de Haan, Ryan Ellis, Dylan Olsen, Simon Despres, Tyson Barrie and Erik Gudbranson. Goalies: Olivier Roy and Mark Visentin My only real shock on the forwards was that Sheahan did not make it after lots of reports of a really strong camp. Nugent-Hopkins (from the Red Deer Rebels, and likely a top five guy next summer) was likely too much of a one way player and with less experience than the ones who made it (with the exception of Couturier). I wanted Bournival to make it, but I really don't know which of those forwards he would have bumped. I have seen a lot of Schenn, Ashton, Connolly, Eakin, Hamilton, Howden and Johansen from the Dub, and they are all really solid forwards. Schwartz has been lighting things up in his last three years in the NCAA, USHL and SJHL, and St Louis seems to have snagged another good forward. Foligno has been tearing up camp and Couturier is likely a top two pick next summer. Bournival was in tough, but hung in there right to the end. The only remaining question mark is how bad Cizikas' injury is, but his OHL coach is also the head coach of Team Canada, so he knows what he gets with a healthy Cizikas. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 19, 2010 3:04:09 GMT -5
Louis and his teammates are in action in pre-tourney play on Monday night. The game is on TSN2 for those who can access that channel. The whole TSN broadcast schedule is attached: tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?id=4124The game on the 23rd will be a good one, as it will feature both Habs prospects that are in the tourney (Leblanc for CAN and Naatinen for FIN). |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 20, 2010 20:20:51 GMT -5
One goal and one assist in the 'friendly' vs Switzerland this evening. Game still on...on TSN 2 if anyone is interested. Louis is definitely a smart cookie.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 21, 2010 0:08:39 GMT -5
Second "friendly" is against Sweden on TSN at 7:30 ET, 5:30 MT on Tuesday night. You can catch a little LL and Team Canada prior to the late puck drop in Dallas for les boys at 9:00pm ET, 7:00 pm MT. Swedish player Lander came out and said the US are the team to beat moreso than Canada (and he technically is correct), but that should be some good bulletin board material to send a message tomorrow night and also again on New Year's Eve when it really counts. Sweden should have stud defender, and likely top 3 pick in 2011, Larsson in the lineup.
The days are getting longer!!
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Post by seventeen on Dec 21, 2010 1:02:11 GMT -5
The days are getting longer!! Yes, one my annual red-letter days. All downhill from here....sort of. Today's game was not one that really told me anything. The Swiss looked totally out of synch and I suspect a BCHL team could have beaten them tonight. Tomorrow should show us a little more. The Swedes will still be adapting to a small surface, so not too revealing, but we'll know a bit more. |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 21, 2010 19:47:38 GMT -5
Good start for Sweden, killing off a penalty, and basically generating more scoring chances than Canada in the 2 minutes. Canada looking a step too slow, which is probably a hangover from the easy game vs the Swiss. Still 0-0.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 21, 2010 19:50:02 GMT -5
Braden Schenn breaks out on a 2 on 1, does a toe drag on the dman and whips it in the far side. 1-0 Canada.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 21, 2010 21:51:41 GMT -5
Part of the fun is second guessing the choices made by the coaches, especially if one of your hopefuls (cough, Bournival, cough) was not selected. Regardless, I'm having a hard time understanding how Ashton made this team. He can't skate at that level. He took a left wing pass, moved up the boards, and the backchecker, who was 5 yards behind him, caught him between the red line and blue line. It's like he was standing still. I saw that earlier in the game and thought maybe he didn't have his speed up yet. He hasn't done anything positive that I saw, and unless he picks it up, it would be a shame, both for him and the team.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 21, 2010 21:55:33 GMT -5
4-1 final for the boys in red. LL no points.
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Post by seventeen on Dec 22, 2010 3:00:04 GMT -5
4-1 final for the boys in red. LL no points. No, but he set up Schenn all alone on a 2 on 1 in the first and Schenn wasn't able to finish. Good play by Louis all around, though. I was a bit surprised at the amount of ice time he got. I suspect Cameron is using the games to get a better read on the players as some guys were on the ice a lot, yet Louis not so much. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 22, 2010 13:31:38 GMT -5
4-1 final for the boys in red. LL no points. No, but he set up Schenn all alone on a 2 on 1 in the first and Schenn wasn't able to finish. Good play by Louis all around, though. I was a bit surprised at the amount of ice time he got. I suspect Cameron is using the games to get a better read on the players as some guys were on the ice a lot, yet Louis not so much. That play was actually all Louis. He blocked a puck in the neutral zone with a nice heads up play, and then did it again inside the opposing blueline when he pressured the Swedish defender immediately thereafter. What was more impressive is how quickly he turned on the transition game and flew along the wing feeding Schenn with a sweet pass. Cameron does not have LL on the PP, but seems to keep him on the PK and on that top two line 5 on 5. There were a lot of rather ineffective Canadian PPs early on the game that kept Louis on the bench. Every time he was on the ice, cue MacGuire's drooling. |
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Post by seventeen on Dec 22, 2010 15:19:01 GMT -5
Cameron does not have LL on the PP, but seems to keep him on the PK and on that top two line 5 on 5. There were a lot of rather ineffective Canadian PPs early on the game that kept Louis on the bench. Every time he was on the ice, cue MacGuire's drooling. That part scares me. I'd rather Maguire was picking holes in his play, but instead, he does seem to like him a lot. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 23, 2010 14:06:22 GMT -5
If you need a break from watching the Habs - Canes tilt tonight or have the PVR all ready to go, our two prospects in the WJC are going head to head tonight in a warm-up game. Louis Leblanc and Canada take on Joonas Nattinen and Finland at 7:30 ET on TSN2.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 28, 2010 17:01:46 GMT -5
Joonas Nattinen with the first of four Finnish goals, and the eventual game winner, as they beat Switzerland 4-0 today for their first win of the tourney.
Looks like Brock Nelson, the guy he bodychecked hard in the US game, will miss the next US game due to an upper body injury sustained on that check.
The guy is also pretty good in the faceoff circle. The Habs will likely be thinking about offering him a contract next summer if he keeps this up.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 28, 2010 17:45:14 GMT -5
Leblanc with some serious nice hands shorthanded to give Canada a 3-1 lead. It was huge as they were killing off a 5 minute major for checking somebody really hard (it was not a penalty, but this is IIHF hockey). Canada now in control 5-1 after two. Olivier Roy looking his shaky self in net, but the team in front of him is looking really poised.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 29, 2010 11:05:06 GMT -5
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