Post by dogcatcher on Dec 4, 2007 8:10:07 GMT -4
Saint John goaltender to represent Switzerland at world junior tourney
Selection Forward Chris Di Domenico likely to get consideration next season, says coach
Kevin Barrett
Telegraph-Journal
Published Tuesday December 4th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
There were no big surprises on the Canadian World Junior hockey training camp roster, says Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Jacques Beaulieu, even though his top scorer - Chris Di Domenico - wasn't picked.
"It is an elite class," said Beaulieu of the invitations granted to the Canadian camp, which has produced three straight gold medals at the world juniors and went 7-0-1 in a super series against the Russians during the summer.
"Chris has to put in his time. If he continues to play well and gets a good start next year, maybe he will be recognized."
Di Domenico has 25 goals and 47 points for the surging Sea Dogs, who enter the week on a six-game winning streak after lighting up the Prince Edward Island Rocket 10-3 Sunday at Harbour Station.
Another factor in the move was that all but three players from the Canada-Russian Super Series are back and two of those who aren't - Sam Gagne and David Perron - might return in time for the world tournament that begins Boxing Day if their NHL clubs decided to make them available.
Saint John goaltender Robert Mayer will participate in the event for Switzerland but another potential player - defenceman David Stich - was left off the roster of the host Czech Republic squad.
"I am a little bit surprised he wasn't picked," said Beaulieu. "I know a few of the guys on that team and I thought he had a pretty good chance."
The upside for the Sea Dogs is their roster will be intact over the holiday period.
Beaulieu doesn't look at it that way though and would have been thrilled for the opportunities if they were granted.
"If we can send players to world calibre events, where they can represent their country, we are more than happy," said Beaulieu. "It's good for them, it's good for their development and it's good for the organization."
Just seven players of the 37 picked for the training camp skate in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, a list that includes current Val D'Or forward Brad Marchand. Marchand, a former Moncton Wildcat, was a member of last year's gold medal winning team and skated for Canada in the dominating run over the Russians in the summer.
Joining Marchand from the QMJHL are goaltender Jonathan Bernier of Lewiston, defenceman Andrew Bodnarchuk of Halifax and Kevin Marshall of Lewiston and forwards Angelo Esposito of Quebec, Claude Giroux of Gatineau and Acadie-Bathurst sniper Mathieu Perreault.
Perreault, the league's most valuable player last season, wants to make good on his final shot after missing the cut a year ago.
"Winning the MVP helped a lot and I think I deserved to get an invite," said the 19-year-old, who has 44 points in 26 games this season. "They have given me my chance and now I have to take it."
"I just have to go there and do my thing," said Perreault, a sixth-round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2006.
"It means a lot to me. If I want to play in the NHL, it will be a big help and it would be a great experience to play for my country."
Four goalies, a dozen defencemen and 21 forwards have been invited to selection camp, which will be held Dec. 10-14 at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.
Head scout Al Murray chose the players for selection camp. Head coach Craig Hartsburg and assistants Clement Jodoin and Curtis Hunt will whittle the roster down to the 22-player team that will chase a fourth straight gold medal at the world junior hockey championship later this month in the Czech Republic.
"Every world junior tournament, we expect to win gold," Hartsburg said Monday. "It's a lot of responsibility on our kids."
"We'll pick the kids we feel will fit the mould and bring back that gold medal for us."
Forwards Gagner, Milan Lucic and Perron are currently playing in the NHL for Edmonton, Boston and St. Louis, respectively. The Bruins will not make Lucic available and Hockey Canada was still awaiting word on Gagner and Perron.
Those players would be added to the selection camp roster before Monday if their NHL teams free them up to play for Canada.
The team will not have the three other NHL forwards who are eligible (born in 1988) to play in the world junior tournament. Minnesota's James Sheppard, Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal and Chicago's Jonathan Toews will remain with their NHL clubs.
Canada opens defence of its title Dec. 26 in Pardubice against host Czech Republic.
The Western Hockey League leads invitees with 15, followed by the Ontario Hockey League at 13, the QMJHL with seven and the U.S. college ranks with two.
Oshawa's Jonathan Tavares and Sarnia's Steve Stamkos, both 17, have been invited to selection camp. Tavares played in the Super Series for Canada.
- with files from The Canadian Press
Selection Forward Chris Di Domenico likely to get consideration next season, says coach
Kevin Barrett
Telegraph-Journal
Published Tuesday December 4th, 2007
Appeared on page B12
There were no big surprises on the Canadian World Junior hockey training camp roster, says Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Jacques Beaulieu, even though his top scorer - Chris Di Domenico - wasn't picked.
"It is an elite class," said Beaulieu of the invitations granted to the Canadian camp, which has produced three straight gold medals at the world juniors and went 7-0-1 in a super series against the Russians during the summer.
"Chris has to put in his time. If he continues to play well and gets a good start next year, maybe he will be recognized."
Di Domenico has 25 goals and 47 points for the surging Sea Dogs, who enter the week on a six-game winning streak after lighting up the Prince Edward Island Rocket 10-3 Sunday at Harbour Station.
Another factor in the move was that all but three players from the Canada-Russian Super Series are back and two of those who aren't - Sam Gagne and David Perron - might return in time for the world tournament that begins Boxing Day if their NHL clubs decided to make them available.
Saint John goaltender Robert Mayer will participate in the event for Switzerland but another potential player - defenceman David Stich - was left off the roster of the host Czech Republic squad.
"I am a little bit surprised he wasn't picked," said Beaulieu. "I know a few of the guys on that team and I thought he had a pretty good chance."
The upside for the Sea Dogs is their roster will be intact over the holiday period.
Beaulieu doesn't look at it that way though and would have been thrilled for the opportunities if they were granted.
"If we can send players to world calibre events, where they can represent their country, we are more than happy," said Beaulieu. "It's good for them, it's good for their development and it's good for the organization."
Just seven players of the 37 picked for the training camp skate in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, a list that includes current Val D'Or forward Brad Marchand. Marchand, a former Moncton Wildcat, was a member of last year's gold medal winning team and skated for Canada in the dominating run over the Russians in the summer.
Joining Marchand from the QMJHL are goaltender Jonathan Bernier of Lewiston, defenceman Andrew Bodnarchuk of Halifax and Kevin Marshall of Lewiston and forwards Angelo Esposito of Quebec, Claude Giroux of Gatineau and Acadie-Bathurst sniper Mathieu Perreault.
Perreault, the league's most valuable player last season, wants to make good on his final shot after missing the cut a year ago.
"Winning the MVP helped a lot and I think I deserved to get an invite," said the 19-year-old, who has 44 points in 26 games this season. "They have given me my chance and now I have to take it."
"I just have to go there and do my thing," said Perreault, a sixth-round pick of the Washington Capitals in 2006.
"It means a lot to me. If I want to play in the NHL, it will be a big help and it would be a great experience to play for my country."
Four goalies, a dozen defencemen and 21 forwards have been invited to selection camp, which will be held Dec. 10-14 at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.
Head scout Al Murray chose the players for selection camp. Head coach Craig Hartsburg and assistants Clement Jodoin and Curtis Hunt will whittle the roster down to the 22-player team that will chase a fourth straight gold medal at the world junior hockey championship later this month in the Czech Republic.
"Every world junior tournament, we expect to win gold," Hartsburg said Monday. "It's a lot of responsibility on our kids."
"We'll pick the kids we feel will fit the mould and bring back that gold medal for us."
Forwards Gagner, Milan Lucic and Perron are currently playing in the NHL for Edmonton, Boston and St. Louis, respectively. The Bruins will not make Lucic available and Hockey Canada was still awaiting word on Gagner and Perron.
Those players would be added to the selection camp roster before Monday if their NHL teams free them up to play for Canada.
The team will not have the three other NHL forwards who are eligible (born in 1988) to play in the world junior tournament. Minnesota's James Sheppard, Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal and Chicago's Jonathan Toews will remain with their NHL clubs.
Canada opens defence of its title Dec. 26 in Pardubice against host Czech Republic.
The Western Hockey League leads invitees with 15, followed by the Ontario Hockey League at 13, the QMJHL with seven and the U.S. college ranks with two.
Oshawa's Jonathan Tavares and Sarnia's Steve Stamkos, both 17, have been invited to selection camp. Tavares played in the Super Series for Canada.
- with files from The Canadian Press
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. Way to go Robert and good luck...we'll be watching from Saint John proudly.
maybe he gets 5 or 6 starts after x-mas when Fullerton goes to Halifax ;D Maybe he gets dealt with Liske for a goaltender and d'man maybe I don't have a clue what the plan is