A capsule look at the Canadian junior hockey team for the Super Series against Russia:
Goaltenders
Leland Irving, Everett Silvertips — His goals-against average the last two seasons with the Everett Silvertips was 1.89. He was Carey Price's backup at this year's world junior championship in Sweden, where Canada won gold. He has the inside track on the starting job, but he'll be challenged by Jonathan Bernier.
Jonathan Bernier, Lewiston Maineiacs — He's the most talented goaltender of his age group, but Bernier didn't have a good camp at the Canadian junior team's tryout last December and was cut from the team. He is the kind of goalie, however, who who can steal a game when his team is outplayed.
Related Articles
Steve Mason, London Knights — He fills the net at six foot three and he's quick and athletic. Mason is the dark horse of the goaltending group and needs to impress coach Brent Sutter at training camp or he'll be watching games as the alternate goalie.
Defencemen
Karl Alzner Calgary Hitmen — The big, steady, stay-at-home player defenceman doesn't make mistakes in his own end and thus is a calming influence on the back end. He brings the experience of helping Canada win gold at the world juniors in January and is a candidate to wear a letter.
Drew Doughty, Guelph Storm — Almost made the Canadian junior team last year as a 17-year-old and it's rare to have a defenceman that young on an under-20 team. He's an excellent passer who can go tape to tape through traffic. He'll likely be the first defenceman taken in next year's NHL draft.
Keaton Ellerby, Kamloops Blazers — Brings a little bit of everything to the blue-line. He's big, can skate, finishes his checks and handles the puck well. He gets advice on hockey from his cousin — Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Josh Godfrey, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds — Another big defenceman who can move the puck and has a howitzer of a slapshot. Had 57 points for the Greyhounds last season.
Thomas Hickey, Seattle Thunderbirds — Was the shocker of the NHL draft when he went fourth overall to Los Angeles. He was expected to go lower than Alzner and Ellerby, who were chosen fifth and 10th respectively. A good passer, he protects the puck well and plays smart positionally when he doesn't have it.
Logan Pyett, Regina Pats — No behemoth at five foot 10, but his offensive skills and vision helped him score 48 goals for the Pats last season. He'll join the rush and inject speed in Canada's attack.
Luke Schenn, Kelowna Rockets — Big, mobile and effective at outlet passes to get his team out of the defensive zone. He's got international experience as he won a silver medal with Canada at the world under-18 championships two year ago.
Ty Wishart — Six foot five and 205 pounds worth of skating mobility, Wishart is a shutdown defenceman. Fun fact: His sister Tia has played for the national women's baseball team.
Forwards
Zach Boychuk, Lethbridge Hurricanes — Small player, big numbers with 91 points in 71 games for the Hurricanes last season. Offensively gifted with great hands around the net.
Cory Emmerton, Kingston Frontenacs — Strong on his skates and a creative playmaker with the ability to find an open teammate in the offensive zone.
Angelo Esposito, Quebec Remparts — Can pass or protect the puck at high velocity which makes him difficult to defend. Cut from the junior team at age 16 and 17 and drafted lower than expected at 20th overall by Pittsburgh. He can re-establish himself as the premiere forward of his age group with a standout performance against Russia.
Sam Gagner, London Knights — Quick and clever with the puck, Gagner played for the junior team that won gold at 17. The world under-20 championship wasn't an easy tournament for him, but he gained valuable experience that will help Canada in this series.
Colton Gillies, Saskatoon Blades — Uses his six-foot-four, 190-pound frame to punish opposing players on the penalty kill and even-strength, along the boards and at the net. He'll create space for his own teammates while taking it away from the Russians.
Claude Giroux, Gatineau Olympiques — Bobby Clarke forgot his name when the Flyers drafted Giroux in the first round last year, but Giroux isn't a forgettable player. He's a nimble winger with skilled hands and vision. He's not a powerful player, but he competes like a demon.
Milan Lucic, Vancouver Giants — Two words: freight train. But a freight train with skills. Named the MVP of the Memorial Cup this year. Not only can he pound the opposition into giving up the puck, but he has the skills and speed to do something good with it.
Brad Marchand, Val-d'Or Foreurs — A speedy buzzsaw of a player like Steve Downie. He agitates opposing players into taking penalties and adds insult to injury by putting the puck in the net. Another veteran of the victorious 2007 championship team. Marchand and Gagner are featured on Nike television commercials this summer.
Zach Hamill, Everett Silvertips — Won the Western Hockey League's scoring title with 93 points. His ability to handle the puck and find seams with his passes makes him particularly effective on the power play.
Stefan Legein, Mississauga IceDogs — Tough and fast, Legein injects a little nastiness into Canada's game. Over 100 penalty minutes for a second straight year with Mississauga, but he also had 43 goals in 64 games.
David Perron, Lewiston Maineiacs — It's difficult to get the puck away from a player whose hands and stick are so quick. Effective two-way player and a tenacious forechecker.
Brandon Sutter, Red Deer Rebels — Brent Sutter will coach his son one last time at the junior level before dad heads to the NHL's New Jersey Devils. The Sutters have the patent on work ethic and the younger Sutter carries on that tradition. He's relentless in pursuing the puck and a warrior at both ends of the ice.
John Tavares, Oshawa Generals — It's not hype. He's the real deal. The top player in major junior hockey last season at the age of 16 and scored more goals than Wayne Gretzky did at that age. His skating has been criticized but he has that sixth sense on the ice that sets the great players apart from good ones.
Kyle Turris, Burnaby Express — Dictates the pace of a game with his speed and has a quick release on his shot that is the nightmare of goaltenders. Handles the puck well in tight quarters and adept at dishing off to an open teammate.
Dana Tyrell, Prince George Cougars — An explosive player with a consistent work ethic, Tyrell is suited to an energy line, but could fit just about any role that Sutter decides he should play. The work of Canada's footsoldiers on the junior team has always played a major role it its success.
Head Coach
Brent Sutter — The Super Series will be Brent Sutter's swan song coaching junior hockey players as he heads to the New Jersey Devils. He coached Canada to back-to-back titles at the world junior championship in 2005 and 2006 and has a 12-0 record coaching in that tournament.
