QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — A total of 41 players, 39 from the Canadian Hockey League, received the good news from the National Junior Team that will compete in the 2012 World Junior Championship beginning on December 25 against Finland.
Eight come from the QMJHL.
The eight players coming from the QMJHL are: goaltender Louis Domingue (Quebec Remparts), defensemen Nathan Beaulieu (Saint John Sea Dogs), Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats), and forwards Michael Bournival (Shawinigan Cataractes), Phillip Danault (Victoriaville Tigres) and Zach Phillips (Saint John Sea Dogs).
Of the 41 players who will try to impress the coaching staff, only three were returnees. Quinton Howden who plays for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College from Western Collegiate Hockey Association NCAA) and goaltender Mark Visentin from Niagara in the Ontario Hockey League).
Even with a good season thus far the number one netminder from the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL Domingue will face stiff competition in goal to be considering one of the two goaltenders on the Canadian Junior Team. The Phoenix Coyotes’ fifth round selection in 2010 come to the Canadian final training camp showing a goaltending average of 2,47 with saving percentage of .913 in 18 games.
The Niagara Icedogs goaltender Mark Visentin did not show great statistics from the beginning of the Ontario Hockey League (goaltending average of 2.93 and save percentage .894) in 17 games, but as one of the returnees (the only one in goal) the Waterdown Ontario native and Phoenix Coyotes first round selection (27th overall) in 2010 is the only one with experience at that level of competition.
Tyler Bunz of the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey is another goaltender against whom Domingue will compete to earn one of the two available jobs between the Canadian Junior Team pipes. Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in fifth round 121st overall in 2010, Bunz shown a goaltender average of 2.44 and save percentage of .926 in 24 games.
The fourth and final netminder who got the good news from the Canadian National Junior Team was Scott Wedgewood of the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League. The New Jersey Devils 3rd round selection (84th overall) in 2010 come to the National Junior Team showing a goaltender average of 2:98 and a save percentage of .906 in 18 games.
Beside intra-squad games, the National Canadian team will play two exhibition games against Canadian University to make final cuts before the team travel to Edmonton Alberta where the team will play other pre-tournament games before the real Tournament begin. On defense, the National Junior Team invited 14 defensemen. Three of them were from the QMJHL. Being for most of them, the best defenseman on their respective team Nathan Beaulieu of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc from the Rimouski Oceanic and Brandon Gormley of the Moncton Wildcats will have to give all they got to earn the honor of defending the National Junior Team colors. Being the leading scorer from the Sea Dogs blue line for last two years before his draft eligibility the Montreal first round pick (17 overall) in 2011 also offer an interesting package of abilities. The International Scouting Services describe the Strathroy Ontario native in his 2011 draft guide to be a smooth skater with very good mobility and feet for his size.
Beaulieu is also recognize to have good puck skills and on ice vision. Projects as future top 3 defensemen in the NHL the Montreal prospect will need to get stronger and be more physical to graduate in the NHL in near future.
As the Buffalo Sabres’ third round selection (68th overall) in 2010 Jerome Gauthier-Leduc is another QMJHL defenseman who will have to be himself not trying to do too much in trying to impress the coaching staff. The ISS recognized in his 2010 draft guide edition Gauthier-Leduc as a highly gifted offensive players that sets up play and creates offense. The Quebec native led all QMJHL draft eligible defensemen in scoring with 20 goals 26 assists in 68 games. He also led his team in the plus/minus department with +26.
The last QMJHL defenseman to compete for the National Junior Team is Brandon Gormley of the Moncton Wildcats. Ranked third overall by the International Scouting Services, the Phoenix Coyotes selected the Murray River PEI native with their 13th overall selection in 2010. Showing a very good size at 6’01”.5 196 pound Gormley is also a very good skater with good strength and good skills. If Moncton defenseman is successfull in earning his place with the team, he could be a very good asset to the Canadian National team with his hockey sense competitiveness.
Originally a third round selection 71st overall in 2010 by the Colorado Avalanche, the Shawinigan Cataractes forward Michael Bournival has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Ryan O’Byrne.
Bournival is a player with very good outside speed with quick feet and stick. He is a very good skater with good shot, and shows ability to adapt to different roles at the World U18 Championship.
Selected 3rd overall in 2011 by the Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs is another one who will get lots of attention in next Canadian National Junior Team training camp.
Recognized for his good size and strength Huberdeau is a very good skater showing great combination of skill and determination. He is a true competitor on whom team can count on in all situations.
Last But not least, the Saint John Sea Dogs center Zach Phillips is a Minnesota first round selection 28th overall. Phillips is good playmaker who possesses good vision and gets good scoring ability. Need to improve is skating mobility and speed.
Time will tell how many QMJHL players will earns spot on Canadian National Junior Team and try to avenge last year loss.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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