The absence of NHL players from the Olympics will benefit young – and not so young – players who certainly would not have thought of going to Beijing this year. Owen Power and Mason McTavish are among them.
Renowned TSN reporter Darren Dreger reported Tuesday night that the Canadian hockey team is expected to be announced within two weeks and will bring together players of all ages. In addition to those mentioned above, he names goaltenders Devan Dubnyk and Edward Pasquale as well as Tyler Wotherspoon and Adam Cracknell among those whose names appear on Hockey Canada’s list.
Owen Power, a 19-year-old defenseman, was the first pick in the 2021 National League draft. The Buffalo Sabers prospect is playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA this year. As for McTavish, the Anaheim Ducks made him the third overall pick, also in 2021. The 18-year-old center has been playing with the Peterborough Petes in the OHL since late November, having played nine games in the National League and three in the American League at the start of the season.
The two young men were on the Canadian team at the World Juniors, which was canceled three days after its launch last week. They both had five points in two games before the tournament came to an abrupt end.
As for Devan Dubnyk, he kept goals for 542 NHL games from 2009 to 2021. The 35-year-old started the current season without a contract, before signing a professional try with the Charlotte Checkers. , the Seattle Kraken School Club, in December.
For his part, the 31-year-old cerberus Edward Pasquale has been playing in KHL for three years. The Torontonian played for the Chicago Wolves, Saint John’s IceCaps, Grand Rapids Griffins, Bakersfield Condors and Syracuse Crunch in the AHL from 2010 to 2019.
PHOTO MAXIM SHEMETOV, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Edward Pasquale
28-year-old defenseman Tyler Whoterspoon has appeared in over 30 NHL games with the Calgary Flames. Old choice of 2e round, he has been playing in the American League full-time since 2018.
For his part, Adam Cracknell has amassed 43 points in 210 career Big League games. At 36, the forward is currently part of the Bakersfield Condors
It’s been two weeks since the NHL announced that its players would not take part in the Olympics due to the rise in COVID-19 cases around the world. Voices have since been raised for the Canadian selection to open its doors to the youngest. They have obviously been heard.