MONCTON | Finally, there will be three Quebecers with Junior Team Canada. The organization made the final cuts on Monday, confirming the places of forwards Nathan Gaucher and Joshua Roy as well as defender Tyson Hinds.
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Gatineau Olympiques center Zach Dean, a native of Alberta but raised in Newfoundland, completes the quartet of QMJHL players who will represent the country at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship, which is getting under way December 26 in Halifax and Moncton.
This means that forwards Jordan Dumais, Zachary Bolduc and Riley Kidney – who was unable to play Monday’s preseason game due to an injury suffered the day before –, defender Evan Nause and goalkeeper goalkeeper William Rousseau (see other text below) were returned home.
“You never have enough time, but the assessment started four or five weeks ago in really more detail. There are players, I am thinking among others of Jordan Dumais, who played very well. Sometimes, being a year younger, it can seem in a tournament like that at the physical level. But he played very well,” said assistant coach Stéphane Julien.
HINDS ON A CLOUD
Of the three Quebecers who broke through the squad, Hinds was the one whose position was the least secure, since Gaucher and Roy had participated in last summer’s edition, during which Canada won the gold medal.
A few hours after hearing the good news, the tall 6’3″ and 188 lb defender was still struggling to believe it.
” It’s incredible. It’s a feeling you can’t describe. It’s one of the happiest days of my life, ”launched the hope of the Anaheim Ducks.
PROGRESS
In his case, it’s one more step in what has been a meteoric rise since his draft year in 2021. Prior to leaving for CJS camp, Hinds had 28 points in 27 games with the Phoenix, in addition to posting a differential of +22.
“If we go back two years, I never thought I would make Junior Team Canada. It’s really amazing and it shows my constant progress. With each practice, I try to improve myself to prove that I am capable of reaching the highest level. »
The defender who will wear jersey No. 4 for the tournament had a major ally at camp, in Julien, his coach in Sherbrooke.
“I stood away when it came time to assess Tyson and Josh [Roy], however assured Julien. Despite everything, everyone was unanimous: he was excellent yesterday and still very good today. He deserves his place. »
A JERK FOR ROY
For his part, Roy knew he had a good chance of breaking through the Canadian team again, but his position was not assured at the start of the competition. That’s why he played both games against USports, including Monday’s, won 3-2 by ECJ and in which he scored a goal.
Roommate of Jordan Dumais, he had a scare when the leaders of Hockey Canada landed in their room to tell them whether or not they were part of the plans.
“When they knocked on our door, we knew it was one of us who was going to be cut off. I would say my heart stopped beating. I wasn’t happy Dumais was cut but I was relieved it wasn’t me. Dumais, he must leave with his head held high. He is 18 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He proved what he was capable of doing and it will be his turn next year, ”said the man who had also been cut off at 18, in December last year, before carving out a place for himself in the team in August.
BECK ENTRENCHED
Moreover, Roy will be the only hope of the Montreal Canadiens with Team Canada junior because center player Owen Beck has also been cut. Like Dumais, Beck is 18 and can return next year.
Note that defender Carson Lambos was the only member of last August’s champion edition to be cut on Monday. He became the first player since Chris Bigras in 2015 to be released at 19 after making the team the previous year.
2022-2023 TEAM CANADA JUNIOR EDITION
GUARDIANS
Benjamin Gaudreau | Sarnia, OHL
Thomas Milic | Seattle, WHL
DEFENDERS
Nolan Allan | Seattle, WHL
Ethan Del Mastro | Mississauga, OHL
Tyson Hinds | Sherbrooke, QMJHL
Kevin Korchinsky | Seattle, WHL
Jack Matter | Ottawa, OHL
Olen Zellweger | Everett, WHL
Brandt Clarke | Los Angeles, NHL
FORWARDERS
Caedan Banker | Kamloops, WHL
Connor Bedard | Regina, WHL
Colton Dach | Kelowna, WHL
Zach Dean | Gatineau, QMJHL
Adam Fantilli | Michigan, NCAA
Nathan Gaucher | Quebec, QMJHL
Zack Ostapchuk | Vancouver, WHL
Brennan Othman | Peterborough, OHL
Joshua Roy | Sherbrooke, QMJHL
Reid Schaefer | Seattle, WHL
Logan Stankoven | Kamloops, WHL
Shane Wright | Seattle, NHL
Dylan Guenther | Arizona, NHL
Rousseau, “the hardest choice to make”
Photo QMI Agency, Dale Preston
Goalkeeper William Rousseau
Of all the decisions Hockey Canada officials had to make on Monday, one was more difficult than the others: the decision to cut Quebec Remparts goaltender William Rousseau.
At least that’s what Junior Team Canada assistant coach Stéphane Julien said Monday night.
“He did very well and that was probably the hardest choice to make. We only had one match to assess the players. William also had very good statistics this season and it came down to details at the end. »
Among those details, there is likely the fact that the two goaltenders who broke through the formation, Benjamin Gaudreau and Thomas Milic, were the duo that led Canada to gold at the 2021 World Under-18s.
“Our decision was made after months of viewing. All of our goaltenders have been good and Benny Gaudreau has experience in the program and won a gold medal with the under-18s. It was a tough decision but in the end, experience played a role. »
DISAPPOINTED BUT PROUD
For his part, Rousseau was obviously disappointed, but he had the feeling of having given everything. Junior Team Canada also confirmed to him that he would act as a “third goaltender” with the team and that he would be recalled in the event of an injury to Gaudreau or Milic.
In his only game on Sunday, he allowed two goals on 24 shots; he won praise from head coach Dennis Williams.
“I’m disappointed because I would have really liked to represent my country at this tournament. But I still had a great experience and I saw that I clearly had my place. Even though I was playing against more experienced players, my game didn’t change. I was able to control the game like I do in junior and I will bring that back to Quebec. It’s motivating and I’m going to want to repeat what I did in Monday’s game for the rest of the season to get a cup. »