Team Canada dominated Russia in the gold medal game of the IIHF World Championships by a final score of 6-1. The stacked Canadian team featured NHL stars like Sidney Crosby, Jason Spezza and Matt Duchene. Duchene, a 2009 first round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, selected third over, all is now just the Stanley Cup short of the triple gold club.
Duchene was also part of the 2014 Canadian team that won Olympic Gold in Sochi, Russia. Canada blanked Sweden 3-0 to win secure the gold. As a young player, the olympic experience is certain to help Duchene grow his hockey ability and given his young age, it is safe to assume he will be on other olympic teams moving forward if the NHL continues its participation.
IIHF World Championships
In this years IIHF World Championship team Canada posted a perfect record. This was the only team in the tournament to do so. Duchene finished tied for third on the stacked roster with 12 points with Taylor Hall, only behind Jason Spezza who finished with 14 points and Jordan Eberle who had 13. Duchene took to social media to show his excitement of the accomplishment along with fellow Avalanche players Ryan O’Reilly, Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie.
And that's how we do it 'Round Here! #Canada #AvsBoys #WorldChamps @Avalanche @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/4KTYbGspZI
— Matt Duchene (@Matt9Duchene) May 18, 2015
With the win Crosby joined the triple gold club and is only the 26th player to do it. Crosby is also the only player to ever do it as the captain of all three teams. Given their still considerably young ages, Duchene and Crosby have the chance to play together for team Canada for many years to come. Also, in the past, Crosby and Duchene have worked out in the off season which is another scenario that can only help Duchene as his career continues to progress.
Stanley Cup
With Duchene’s accomplishments the past 15 months or so, only one thing remains to complete his triple gold club. That would be the Stanley Cup. Duchene is currently in the middle of a five year deal with the Colorado Avalanche which is team with a young core that is showing great promise moving forward.
If the Avalanche are going to make the playoffs and challenge for a Stanley Cup in the years to come Duchene will be leaned on heavily to produce. Duchene is only 24 years old and has most of his career still ahead of him to complete his golden quest. Right now it appeasr if Duchene does comlete his triple gold club it will be as a member of the Avalanche.
