WORLD JUNIORS | Team Canada Names its Final Roster for the 2017 WJC

by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine

It’s that time of the year, hockey fans from across Canada will be glued to their televisions cheering on the future stars of the National Hockey League. Team Canada looks to rebound at home after an unsatisfactory 6^th place finish during the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, losing to the tournament champions from Finland 6-5 in the quarterfinals.

22 players have been named as the 2017 edition of Team Canada, who look to capture gold on home soil like they did in 2015 when the tournament was also hosted by Toronto and Montreal. Toronto will host the preliminary round for Team Canada. The medal round will be hosted by Montreal.

Group A

Czech Republic (5^th in 2016)

Denmark (8^th in 2016)

Finland (Gold Medal 2016)

Sweden (4^th in 2016)

Switzerland (9^th in 2016)

Group B 

Canada (6^th in 2016)

Latvia (Promoted To 2017 Division)

Russia (Silver Medal 2016)

Slovakia (7^th in 2016)

United States (Bronze Medal 2016)

Canadiens Content

After he was the final cut last year, Noah Juulsen, captain of the Everett Silvertips and 1^st round pick of the Canadiens in 2015 has his redemption as he was named to the 2017 squad. Juulsen is only one of two right handed shooting defencemen so he’ll most likely play a big role on the team, providing a solid two way physical style of play. Juulsen is enjoying a bounce back season, being named Captain of Team WHL during the CIBC Canada/Russia Series, and currently has 9 goals and 11 assists in 25 games.

Michael McNiven unfortunately did not make Team Canada, but was considered an underdog from the start so it shouldn’t be a surprise to many. The same can be said about Victor Mete, who has been having an excellent season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. His invitation to camp however should put him in position for another opportunity during the 2018 tournament in Buffalo where it will feature the first outdoor game which should feature Team Canada vs. Team USA.

Other players cut from Team Canada:

Guillaume Brisebois – (Vancouver Canucks)

Zach Senyshyn – (Boston Bruins)

Sam Steel- (Anaheim Ducks)

Samuel Girard – (Nashville Predators)

Nick Merkley – (Arizona Coyotes)

Brett Howden – (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Austin Wagner – (Los Angeles Kings)

The final roster listed below consists of two goalies, seven defencemen and thirteen forwards. Lawson Crouse, Jakob Chychrun, Travis Konecny and Anthony Beauvillier were among eligible NHL players, but their respective NHL organizations did not make them available for the tournament unfortunately.

Team Canada will play three pre-tournament games, December 19^th against Finland, December 21^st against the Czech Republic and December 23^rd against Switzerland.

The puck will officially drop on December 26^th, which to many is a Canadian holiday tradition against Russia at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto at 8 p.m. ET.