Post by dogcatcher on Dec 26, 2007 7:53:15 GMT -4
Sea Dogs rookie part of Team Atlantic
Hockey Steven Anthony one of six QMJHL players on Team Atlantic
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday December 26th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - To look at the rosters for teams competing in the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge beginning on Dec. 29 in London, Ont., you notice Team Atlantic has a few things going against them.
Of the five regional teams competing from Canada, the Atlantic squad draws from the smallest population base and the team also has the fewest number of major junior players on their roster. And that's just the teams from Canada. The other teams in the tournament are all national teams, including hockey powers Russia, Finland and the United States.
Team Atlantic is in a pool with the Russians, US, Germany and Team West. On paper it looks like the squad made up of players from Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island has their work cut out for them.
However, the game isn't played on the roster sheets, a fact noted by Team Atlantic captain and Halifax Mooseheads forward Travis Randell.
"We're a region playing against countries, so it's going to be tough, but that's why you play the games," Randell said.
The 16-year-old native of Twillingate, NL is one of six Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players on the Atlantic roster. Other QMJHL players include Saint John Sea Dogs forward Steven Anthony, Shawinigan Cataractes defenceman Brad Yetman, forward Matt Brown of the Moncton Wildcats and New Brunswick natives Devon MacAuslund of Moncton and Fredericton product Cameron Critchlow, a member of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Sea Dogs rookie defenceman Simon Despres will suit up for Quebec.
The event is the first international tournament for many players and MacAuslund said he's not sure what to expect.
"It's sort of up in the air," he said. "I want to go up there and prove myself on a personal level against guys my age. As a team we're just going to do our best and try to win a medal."
The Atlantic team is coming off its three best finishes in the tournament which includes sixth place finishes in 2004 and 2006 and the first-ever medal in 2005, defeating Ontario in the bronze medal game.
Anthony said he thinks the team will surprise people.
"I think we've got a strong team and looking at past Team Atlantic that have done well, I think we stack up pretty good," the Halifax native said.
Anthony will be counted on to provide scoring in the tournament as well as leadership.
The Sea Dogs' rookie forward was named an assistant captain on the squad, along with MacAuslund, Critchlow and Yetman.
"I see myself as a leader on the team, a guy who should put up some points and do whatever I can to help the team win," Anthony said.
Other members of Team Atlantic from New Brunswick include Jonathan Connely of Edmundston, Peter MacIntosh of Fredericton and Sean Couturier of Bathurst.
Nova Scotia players include Alex Newman, Mathieu Boudreau, Michael Roski, Ben Duffy, Tyler Noseworthy, Andrew Roski and Stephen Walker.
Players from P.E.I. include Brandon Gormley, Morgan Ellis and Jordan Costello. Newfoundland is represented by Patrick Parfrey, Steven Brazil and Jordan Escott.
Hockey Steven Anthony one of six QMJHL players on Team Atlantic
Andrew Mcgilligan
Telegraph-Journal
Published Wednesday December 26th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
SAINT JOHN - To look at the rosters for teams competing in the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge beginning on Dec. 29 in London, Ont., you notice Team Atlantic has a few things going against them.
Of the five regional teams competing from Canada, the Atlantic squad draws from the smallest population base and the team also has the fewest number of major junior players on their roster. And that's just the teams from Canada. The other teams in the tournament are all national teams, including hockey powers Russia, Finland and the United States.
Team Atlantic is in a pool with the Russians, US, Germany and Team West. On paper it looks like the squad made up of players from Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island has their work cut out for them.
However, the game isn't played on the roster sheets, a fact noted by Team Atlantic captain and Halifax Mooseheads forward Travis Randell.
"We're a region playing against countries, so it's going to be tough, but that's why you play the games," Randell said.
The 16-year-old native of Twillingate, NL is one of six Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players on the Atlantic roster. Other QMJHL players include Saint John Sea Dogs forward Steven Anthony, Shawinigan Cataractes defenceman Brad Yetman, forward Matt Brown of the Moncton Wildcats and New Brunswick natives Devon MacAuslund of Moncton and Fredericton product Cameron Critchlow, a member of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Sea Dogs rookie defenceman Simon Despres will suit up for Quebec.
The event is the first international tournament for many players and MacAuslund said he's not sure what to expect.
"It's sort of up in the air," he said. "I want to go up there and prove myself on a personal level against guys my age. As a team we're just going to do our best and try to win a medal."
The Atlantic team is coming off its three best finishes in the tournament which includes sixth place finishes in 2004 and 2006 and the first-ever medal in 2005, defeating Ontario in the bronze medal game.
Anthony said he thinks the team will surprise people.
"I think we've got a strong team and looking at past Team Atlantic that have done well, I think we stack up pretty good," the Halifax native said.
Anthony will be counted on to provide scoring in the tournament as well as leadership.
The Sea Dogs' rookie forward was named an assistant captain on the squad, along with MacAuslund, Critchlow and Yetman.
"I see myself as a leader on the team, a guy who should put up some points and do whatever I can to help the team win," Anthony said.
Other members of Team Atlantic from New Brunswick include Jonathan Connely of Edmundston, Peter MacIntosh of Fredericton and Sean Couturier of Bathurst.
Nova Scotia players include Alex Newman, Mathieu Boudreau, Michael Roski, Ben Duffy, Tyler Noseworthy, Andrew Roski and Stephen Walker.
Players from P.E.I. include Brandon Gormley, Morgan Ellis and Jordan Costello. Newfoundland is represented by Patrick Parfrey, Steven Brazil and Jordan Escott.