Team Canada began preparations on Tuesday for the resumption of the World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship, which will be held in Edmonton from August 9-20.
Canada opens the tournament on August 10 at Rogers Place against Latvia.
The 10-nation event will not include Russia, which had its participation banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IHFG) due to its invasion of Ukraine.
The original tournament, played in Edmonton and Red Deer, was canceled Dec. 29 after just four days due to an increase in COVID-19 cases among players and officials, which caused forfeits.
Hockey Canada hosts this World Juniors under the shadow of federal government scrutiny and a wave of public criticism for its handling of alleged sexual assaults by members of the 2018 and 2003 junior men’s teams.
Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHL player and victims’ rights advocate, is among those calling for the resignation of Hockey Canada president Scott Smith and the board of directors.
Enhanced personality screening for all high-performance players was among a list of changes Hockey Canada announced in an action plan last month.
“We definitely have a big weight on our shoulders,” said forward Mason McTavish, who was named Canada’s captain on Tuesday at the opening of camp in Calgary. We have the opportunity to perhaps help improve ourselves. This is Canada and the World Junior Hockey Championship is such a great event for Canadians in particular. »
The 25 players named to the roster attended a code of conduct seminar hosted by Hockey Canada director of sport safety Natasha Johnston. Another session on sexual violence was scheduled for Tuesday.
“It’s obviously something very serious,” insisted forward Kent Johnson. You play for the nation and all the kids at home are watching. I think it’s always an honor to represent your country. »
The IIHF Men’s Under-20 event is considered a showcase of the world’s best male hockey talent at 19 and under.
The IIHF allowed players born in 2002, who turned 20, to remain eligible to participate in this summer replay.
Dave Cameron returns as Canada’s head coach and in a different scenario, that is, without a selection camp and to play a major championship in mid-summer after a short camp.
“It’s a little weird to be honest with you,” Cameron told the Tsuut’ina Nation’s 7 Chiefs Sports Complex. Two good things about this for me is that I don’t have to make any cuts. That’s the hardest part of this job, when you have to send kids home. And the second part is that I already know the majority of the players. »
The goalkeeping trio of Dylan Garand, Sebastian Cossa and Brett Brochu are back, but the roster has undergone nine player changes since December.
Captain Kaiden Guhle and the team’s best defender Owen Power are not back. Just like forwards Shane Wright and Cole Perfetti.
Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard, considered the top prospect for the 2023 draft, and Beijing Olympics teammates McTavish and Johnson are featured on offense for Canada.
“We only have eight days to prepare, which is a little less than usual,” explained Bedard. I think everyone comes in with the mindset of trying to win a gold medal. We’re doing everything we can in training and in the gym these first few days to start that goal off right. »
Defensemen Jack Thompson, who missed selection camp in December due to the COVID-19 quarantine, and Daemon Hunt were added to the August roster.
Tyson Foerster, Nathan Gaucher, Riley Kidney, Zack Ostapchuk, Brennan Othmann, William Dufour and Joshua Roy will replace Wright, Perfetti, Xavier Bourgault, Mavrik Bourque, Jake Neighbours, Justin Sourdif and Dylan Guenther on offense.
Cameron would not comment on the players who decided to withdraw.
“I just focus on the guys who are here,” he said.
Garand is the only returning player from the Canadian team that won silver at the World Juniors in Edmonton in 2021.
“There’s a little more attention on the tournament this year because it’s sort of the first World Juniors since the allegations and all that,” Garand said. For us and our team, we are simply here to focus on hockey. The gold medal is our goal. »