WJC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Plenty of stars on hand as Canada looks to repeat
All eyes will be on Canada, the host, when the puck drops on the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Rightfully so.
Canada, defending champions, can win back-to-back gold medals for the first time in a decade, when the country topped the tournament in both 2008 and 2009.
Maxime Comtois, LW, Drummondville (QMJHL)
Those watching Canada closely will undoubtedly become more familiar with Maxime Comtois.
Comtois, the only returning member from Canada’s golden entry last year, will lead his country from the left flank. The forward, selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (No. 50) of the 2017 NHL Draft, registered six points (three goals, three assists) in seven games at the tournament one year ago, and is one of only a handful with NHL experience.
In fact, Comtois started the season in Anaheim, netting seven points (two goals, five assists) in 10 games — and one goal in four games on a conditioning stint with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League while recovering from a lower-body injury — before being returned by the Ducks to the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Comtois, who has also represented Canada at the World Under-18 Championship, Ivan Hlinka Memorial, and at the World Under-17 Challenge, will be center stage for Canada.
What to watch for: He’ll bring a strong physical presence for Canada, and a goal-scoring touch. His experience will help him lead Canada, too.
Evan Bouchard, D, London (OHL)
Bouchard, like Comtois, made his NHL debut this fall and played seven games with the Edmonton Oilers after being selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2018 draft. Also like Comtois, Bouchard has flourished after being returned to his junior club.
The 19-year-old defenseman has once again flourished with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in his second season as captain, posting 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in just 13 games to follow up his 87 points (25 goals, 62 assists) to lead London last year.
Bouchard, who has plenty of international experience with Canada’s Program of Excellence, will lead Canada’s charge from the blue line.
What to watch for: He’s a smart, responsible defender who will also provide a punch on the back end for Canada. His passing game will aid in transition from his own end, and create opportunities in the other.
Evan Bouchard. Photo: Dan Hickling / Hickling Images.
Michael DiPietro, G, Ottawa (OHL)
Like Bouchard, goaltender DiPietro has seen plenty of international action with Canada.
DiPietro, who backstopped the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup on home ice as a draft eligible 17-year-old in 2017 and was the OHL’s goaltender of the year last season, has represented Canada at the World Under-17 Challenge and World Under-18 Championship. He has not, however, played in the World Junior Championship after being cut from Canada’s selection camp last winter.
That hasn’t slowed DiPietro, who was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round (No. 64) in 2017.
He apprenticed under Darcy Kuemper and Curtis McElhinney as an invite to Canada’s entry at the 2018 IIHF World Championship in Denmark last spring, and will use that experience to take the reigns of Canada’s golden hopes over the holidays.
What to watch for: He’ll track pucks well and rely on lightning-quick reflexes to make saves. He’s a mature goaltender, too, which can serve as a calming influence on the group in front of him.
Michael DiPietro. Photo: Dan Hickling / Hickling Images.
Cody Glass, C, Portland (WHL)
Glass, another late cut to Canada’s junior entry last December, will also draw plenty of attention.
Glass, selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2017 draft, was seventh in Western Hockey League scoring with 102 points (37 goals, 65 assists) in 2017-18, and is fourth this season with 54 points (12 goals, 42 assists) in just 26 games.
The 19-year-old, who unsurprisingly has pulled on the maple leaf at the Under-17 and Under-18 level, will center Canada’s top line in the Under-20 tournament.
What to watch for: He’s skilled, can play a grind game and sees both ends of the ice well. His puck skills and ability to manage the pace offensively will have him shine.
Cody Glass. Photo: Dan Hickling / Hickling Images.
Alexis Lafreniere, RW, Rimouski (QMJHL)
Lafreniere will command just as much attention as Glass, albeit for a different reason.
Just 17, he is the projected No. 1 pick for the 2020 draft.
He was also the last forward to survive Canada’s cuts, making the team after Gabriel Vilardi was ruled out of the tournament because of injury.
Lafreniere, who captained Canada’s entry at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup to gold in August, had 80 points (42 goals, 38 assists) for the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL en route to earning Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year last season and has netted 54 points (17 goals, 37 assists) in 31 games this season.
He is the first 17-year-old since McDavid to represent Canada at the World Juniors.
Undoubtedly, the spotlight will be bright.
What to watch for: He’ll produce with a variety of offensive talents at his disposal, but his ability to process the play as it develops will aid in all areas of the ice.