The completion of a month of CHL action means that we are getting closer to one of the marquee events of the sports calendar (in Canada anyways); the World Junior Hockey Championships. Set to once again host the tournament, all eyes will be on team Canada as they look to recapture the gold medal which they’ve lost so heartbreakingly in each of the last two tournaments.
Here is how the players who received invitations to the Development Camp for team Canada fared during the first month of the season and how their chances at cracking the squad stack up against the competition:
Forwards:
Michael Bournival (Shawinigan Cataractes)- 7 GP, 10 G, 3 A, 13 Pts
Solid two-way center is on the shelf with an upper-body injury
Stock: Same
Phillip Danault (Victoriaville Tigers)- 15 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 Pts
One of many diminutive forwards has slim chance at making team
Stock: Same
Brendan Gallagher (VancouverGiants)- 10 GP, 11 G, 8 A, 19 Pts
Impressive NHL camp with Montreal has him on the verge of being a lock
Stock: Rising
Freddie Hamilton (Niagara Icedogs)- 14 GP, 9 G, 15 A, 24 Pts
Has arguably been the OHL’s most consistent forward to date
Stock: Rising
Patrick Holland (Tri-City Americans)- 15 GP, 1 G, 13 A, 14 Pts
Would have needed to score a whack of goals to compete with the other top playmakers
Stock: Same
Quinton Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)- 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts
Returning winger would be a lock but a concussion currently has his status in question
Stock: (would be) Lock
Jonathan Huberdeau (Saint John Sea Dogs)- 8 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 Pts
Third-overall pick in 2011 narrowly missed out on making the Florida Pathers and could be a potential scoring line center
Stock: Lock
Boone Jenner (Oshawa Generals)- 13 GP, 7 G, 9 A, 16 Pts
Gritty two-way player could crack the roster as a third or fourth-line center
Stock: Rising
Lucas Lessio (Oshawa Generals)- 12 GP, 8 G, 6 A, 14 Pts
Gifted scorer has a more realistic chance to be on next year’s squad
Stock: Same
Greg McKegg (Erie Otters)- 10 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 Pts
Poor Erie team is hindering his production and hurting his chances
Stock: Falling
Matt Puempel (Peterborough Petes)- 14 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 Pts
Former CHL rookie of the year is coming off a hip injury and is struggling with his consistency so far this year
Stock: Falling
Ty Rattie (Portland Winterhawks)- 14 GP, 10 G, 11 A, 21 Pts
Quick skating winger is off to a great start and is improving his chances
Stock: Rising
Brett Ritchie (Sarnia Sting)- 11 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 Pts
Not quite having the offensive impact many expected he would
Stock: Falling
Mark Scheifele (Barrie Colts)- 1 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 Pts
Taste of the NHL should only make him hungrier to prove his potential
Stock: Lock
Jaden Schwartz (Colorado College)- 2 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 2 Pts
Returning center is certain to see a top two-line role and is in the running to be named team captain.
Stock: Lock
Michael Sgarbossa (Sudbury Wolves)- 11 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 Pts
Probably needed to score at a greater clip than he currently is to have a chance.
Stock: Same
Mark Stone (Brandon Wheat Kings)- 13 GP, 9 G, 19 A, 28 Pts
Came close with a good camp and dominating season last year and is making sure they can’t say no this time around
Stock: Lock
Ryan Strome (Niagara Icedogs)- 7 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 Pts
Islanders first-rounder oozes skill and simply has to be on the team
Stock: Lock
Christian Thomas (Oshawa Generals)- 13 GP, 5 G, 5 A, 10 Pts
Unquestionable skill and scoring ability, but with many players of similar small stature vying for a spot, he will be in tough
Stock: Same
Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67’s)- 11 GP, 11 G, 12 A, 23 Pts
Should have been on the team last year so there will be no denying him this year
Stock: Lock
Defenseman:
Nathan Beaulieu (Saint John Sea Dogs)- 13 GP, 4 G, 6 A, 10 Pts
Made a bid to make Montreal and looks poised to earn on a spot on the blue-line
Stock: Same
Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67’s)- 13 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 Pts
As a 1993 birth date up against some veteran d-men, it will be tough for him to make the roster but he is making a real push
Stock: Rising
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (Rimouski Oceanic)- 12 GP, 11 G, 15 A, 26 Pts
Ranks fifth in the Q in scoring. Possibly the biggest riser of any defensemen.
Stock: Rising
Brandon Gormley (Moncton Wildcats)- 12 GP, 7 G, 4 A, 11 Pts
Could have made it last year if not for a knee injury at camp and is all but guranteed a spot this year
Stock: Lock
Dougie Hamilton (Niagara Icedogs)- 13 GP, 7 G, 16 A, 23 Pts
Scoring at an unexpected pace and is closing in on lock status.
Stock: Rising
Scott Harrington (London Knights)- 12 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 Pts
Not really doing anything to catch the eye of the team Canada brass
Stock: Falling
Martin Lefebvre (Quebec Remparts)- 13 GP, 2 G, 13 A, 15 Pts
Solid two-way defender but not enough offense compared to the other offensive defensemen
Stock: Same
Joe Morrow (Portland Winterhawks)- 10 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 Pts
Excellent speed and mobility will give him a chance
Stock: Same
Ryan Murphy (Kitchener Rangers)- 6 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 Pts
If they are looking for this year’s Ryan Ellis, he is the guy. If not then he doesn’t make the team.
Stock: Same
Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips)- 10 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 Pts
Tremendously poised defenseman has long been a favourite of Hockey Canada but he isn’t a lock just yet
Stock: Same
Jamie Oleksiak (Saginaw Spirit)- 14 GP, 4 G, 1 A, 5 Pts
This year’s version of Tyler Myers is likely a lock despite not being at his best so far in his first OHL season
Stock: Lock
Stuart Percy (Mississauga Majors)- 11 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 Pts
Leafs first-rounder continues to give himself a chance with solid play
Stock: Same
Matt Petgrave (Owen Sound Attack)- 15 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 17 Pts
Swift skating blue-liner had an excellent first month and is turning heads
Stock: Rising
Mark Pysyk (Edmonton Oil Kings)- 14 GP, 0 G, 8 A, 8 Pts
Physical defender is far from a lock but is in good standing
Stock: Same
Duncan Siemens (Saskatoon Blades)- 12 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 Pts
Rangy and tough defensive defenseman could be the most physical of all the rear-guards
Stock: Rising
Dillon Simpson (U. of North Dakota)- 6 GP, 0 G, 0 A
Will need to make major impressions at camp to have a chance
Stock: Falling
Goaltenders
Tyler Bunz (Medicine Hat Tigers)- 13 GP, 9-4-0, 2.47 GAA, 0.92 save %
Leading the pack as one of the two net-minders and closing in on Visentin’s hold as the starter.
Stock: Rising
Louis Domingue (Quebec Remparts)- 7 GP, 4-1-2, 2.40 GAA, 0.93 save %
Came out strong with some impressive numbers but is splitting playing time in Quebec
Stock: Same
Mark Visentin (Niagara Icedogs)- 8 GP, 4-3-0, 3.04 GAA, 0.90 save %
The favourite to be the starter struggled early but is starting to turn it around
Stock: Lock
Scott Wedgewood (Plymouth Whalers)- 9 GP, 4-3-2, 3.69 GAA, 0.89 save %
Came into the season with an outside chance and hasn’t done anything to change that position yet.
Stock: Same
Others Who Could Earn An Invitation:
Mark McNeill, F, Prince Albert Raiders
Kevin Sundher, C, Victoria Royals
Jordan Weal, C, Regina Pats
David Musil, D, Vancouver Giants
Matthew Dumba, D, Red Deer Rebels
Christopher Gibson, G, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
