Nats slowly improving
By JON COOK -- SLAM! Sports
This week Marc Habscheid would do well to keep in mind the saying: 'You can't measure heart.'
Starting today in Halifax, the head coach of Canada's national junior hockey squad will begin the gruelling five-day process of evaluating the 35 players in camp, to get down to a 22-man roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship that begins on Boxing Day.
Blair Mackasey, the Canadian Hockey Association head scout, who assembled the training-camp roster has done his job and it is now up to Habscheid and assistants Mike Kelly and Mario Durocher to form the lineup they believe gives them the best chance to win gold.
This is no small feat, since Canada has not triumphed at this tournament since 1997 - the year they won their fifth-consecutive gold.
Since an embarrassing eighth-place finish in Finland in 1998, Canada has slowly built the program back into contention, taking silver in 1999, bronze in 2000 and 2001 and silver again last year.
Both silvers came in similar heartbreaking one-goal losses to Russia. The 3-2 overtime loss in Winnipeg in '99 remains TSN's largest audience ever, as the 1.8 million viewers topped the 1.65 million who witnessed the Blue Jays clinch the American League East a decade earlier.
This year's tournament will no doubt approach those numbers, but it will have to do so with few marquee names in the Canuck lineup. The '99 squad featured a plethora of current NHL stars: Vincent Lecavalier, Simon Gagne, Roberto Luongo, Brad Stuart, Brendan Morrow and Kyle Calder.
This year's roster features just four returning players from last year and no slam-dunk NHL prospects like Lecavalier. That doesn't mean gold is out of reach or that this year's tournament won't reach the same level of excitement as four years ago.
"I remember in '96 there was a big concern that Kyle McLaren wasn't coming back and Shane Doan wasn't back and Chad Kilger wasn't back and Ryan Smyth wasn't back," said Mackasey, upon announcing the training-camp roster. "You know what happened? Denis Gauthier stepped up and did everything that Kyle McLaren could do and Alyn McCauley, Jarome Iginla and Daymond Langkow stepped up and did all that those other guys would ever do and you'll find that that's what will happen this time."
It's Habscheid's job to determine which guys will be the next Gauthiers, Iginlas, McCauleys and Langkows. And he won't have much help from the NHL, as just 18-year-old centre Pierre-Marc Bouchard (Minnesota) and 19-year-old defenceman Steve Eminger (Washington) were cleared to play. Both attended last year's camp, but neither made coach Stan Butler's final 22.
The players Habscheid will miss the most are three-time world junior participants Jason Spezza (Ottawa) and Jay Bouwmeester (Florida) and Stephen Weiss (Florida) and Rick Nash (Columbus) from last year.
"The players we have here are certainly capable of stepping up in whatever role that those players could give us. We obviously would like to have them here, they're obviously very talented, but I have good confidence in the players we are bringing to camp that they will step up and fill those shoes," said Mackasey, who coached the 1996 gold-medal squad. "Someone will come out of the pack, it might be a Kyle Wellwood, or a Derek Roy or a Matt Stajan or whoever else there might be and we'll say 'Geez I guess we really didn't need those guys' and that's invariably what happens."
Neither Bouchard nor Eminger has made a huge impact at the NHL level in their rookie seasons and while many expect their inclusions to be automatic, Habscheid will ultimately pick the 22 guys he feels can gel the best over the next three weeks.
Mackasey borrowed Wayne Gretzky's blueprint for assembling Canada's gold-medal team at the Salt Lake Olympics, assembling a roster based on talent and not so much on which players compliment each other. In other words there will be no Rob Zamuners.
"One of the things that Wayne told me, and this is more for the coaches, was 'Don't base your selections on what people do in two days of camp,'" said Mackasey. "Look at what they've done over the past two years or year and a half and what their long-term record has been, because people can do things in two days that can fool you."
With such offensively-gifted players as Bouchard, OHL leading scorer Corey Locke (Ottawa 67's), Wellwood (Windsor Spitfires), Stajan (Belleville Bulls), Roy (Kitchener Rangers), Eric Staal (Peterborough Petes), Joffrey Lupul (Medicine Hat Tigers), Duncan Milroy (Kootenay Ice) and Jordin Tootoo (Brandon Wheat Kings) Habscheid should have more than enough firepower.
Offense and skill will be easy enough to assess based on the numbers players have put up this season and during their junior careers. What will be harder to judge is heart and character.
Heart has always been the mantra for Canadian hockey teams and players. It's what has made the difference in previous tournaments against the more highly-skilled European teams from Russia, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland.
It's what gives Canadian hockey players the ability to overcome the weaknesses that are often exposed over the course of an 11-day tournament. It's what gives them the energy to make that extra hit or win that crucial faceoff, when the tank is empty.
It's also what will separate 35 players from 22 this week in Halifax. All the players invited to camp are skilled and by virtue of being Canadian, each has heart.
It will be those who show the most passion who will ultimately make the grade.
PUCKMASTER'S PICKS
Forwards
C Pierre-Marc Bouchard, 18: The Wild's top draft pick last June has done everything coach Jacques Lemaire has asked of him. After being the last cut from Stan Butler's squad a year ago, this dynamic playmaker will be motivated.
C/RW Scottie Upshall, 19: One of four camp returnees from last year's silver squad that is certain to make the team. Natural leader was returned to Kamloops after starting the season with the Nashville Predators, who drafted him ahead of Bouchard last summer. His grit and character will make up for the loss of 2002 players like Steve Ott, Jarret Stoll and Stephen Weiss.
C Kyle Wellwood, 19: Super-talented Leafs prospect is second to Ottawa 67's Corey Locke in OHL scoring. Next to Brad Boyes is probably the Leafs best prospect at centre. Another natural leader.
C Jay McClement, 19: A returnee, who played sparingly last year as Canada's 13th forward. Has a solid two-way game and was used more as the tournament wore on, killing penalties and defending leads. Will fill a fourth-line centre role.
C/LW Derek Roy, 19: A 5-foot-8 sparkplug, along the lines of a Theo Fleury. Is at his best in big games and is a real team-first guy. Drafted by Buffalo Sabres in 2001 and was a late cut from this September's training camp.
C/LW Dan Paille, 18: Also a Sabres' prospect, drafted 20th overall last June. A hard-hitting, offensively-gifted winger who can play centre on the power play, where he sets up in front of opposing netminders. Was strong for the Guelph Storm at last spring's Memorial Cup.
C/LW Matt Stajan, 18 (turns 19 on Dec. 19): One of five Leafs prospects invited to camp. Takes over from Jason Spezza as the Belleville Bulls top offensive player. Great skater who is coming into his own at the right time. Is tied with Roy for sixth-overall in OHL scoring.
LW Greg Campbell, 18 (turns 19 on Dec. 17): Roy's linemate in Kitchener and the only true left-winger in camp. His choice would be a surprise, but still a solid one. Is good at both ends of the ice and has formed one of the OHL's best lines with Roy and Czech Republic team hopeful Petr Kanko. Possesses a bit of a mean streak, which may help him make the grade.
C/LW Eric Staal, 18: One of the OHL's impact players. Staal is projected, along with fellow North Americans Corey Locke, Nathan Horton, Patrick O'Sullivan, Marc-Andre Fleury and Braydon Coburn, to be a high draft pick in the 2003 NHL Entry draft.
C/RW Joffrey Lupul, 19: Drafted seventh overall by Anaheim last June, between Upshall and Bouchard. Has oodles of skill and a big shot to match a big 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame.
RW Duncan Milroy, 19: Emerged from under Jarret Stoll's shadow last May when he was named the Memorial Cup MVP for the champion Kootenay Ice. Will have to make up for Stoll's absence on the national junior squad as well, but is a gifted scorer, with a great wrist shot and some wheels to boot.
RW Jordin Tootoo, 19: An Eric Lindros type, who can dominate a game with his physical style. Made a big impression on Mackasey when he saw him play the last two months for Brandon. The Rankin Inlet, Nunavut native scored a goal and assisted on two others to take over the WHL scoring lead on Monday before he left for Halifax. The Nashville Predators are drooling to get Tootoo to the NHL and he will bring fans out of their seats at the Metro Centre with his bone-jarring hits. Is fourth in the WHL with 115 PIMs.
RW Boyd Gordon, 19: Has steadily improved in his four seasons in Red Deer playing for head coach Brent Sutter. Has 39 points in 26 games and is one of three Rebels likely to make the final roster. Is also very strong on special teams, especially short-handed. Was part of the Rebels' Memorial Cup winner in 2001.
Defence
Jeff Woywitka, 19: Big bruising defender, who also contributes offensively. Played with Boyd and Doug Lynch on the Rebels Mem Cup championship squad in 2001. Was a late cut last year, who will be counted on for big minutes this time around.
Carlo Colaiacovo, 19: Probably could have stayed with the Leafs, but Pat Quinn wanted him to get another shot at a junior gold medal. Was the right choice, as this gifted defenceman has all the tools to be a solid NHLer. Has been prone to giveaways, but more than makes up for it with his speed and passing. Made the turnover that led to the Erie Otters being eliminated from the Memorial Cup against Victoriaville last spring and will want to make up for that with a strong tournament.
Nathan Paetsch, 19: Returns with Colaiacovo to solidify a blueline that has lost Bouwmeester, Dan Hamhuis, Jay Harrison, Mark Popovic and Nick Schultz.
Steve Eminger, 19: Granted leave by the Caps, who drafted him 12th overall last June. Has had some early learning curves at the NHL level, but should definitely make the team after being cut late last year. Smooth-skating blueliner has good puck-handling skills and will boost the power play.
Doug Lynch, 19: Dependable rearguard led a great Red Deer defence corps with Woywitka and Jim Vandermeer in winning the 2001 Mem Cup. Is a special teams specialist and his ability to play forward gives him some valuable diversity.
Trevor Daley, 19: A defenceman who does it all for the OHL-leading Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. A final cut by Dallas this Fall, Daley is a great skater who produces numerous scoring chances off the rush. Has cut down on his penalty minutes the last couple seasons and it has led to even more scoring.
Alexandre Rouleau/Aaron Johnson, 19: It will likely be Val d'Or's Rouleau, but the sentimental vote should go to the lone Maritimer at camp in Johnson. Johnson was a late cut last year by Butler, who agonized over the decision. The Port Hawkesbury, NS native is likely on the squad because Butler and Habscheid are close friends and Johnson made an impact on the former national junior coach. With such a strong defence around last year there was no room for Johnson, but a thinner crop this year and another year of junior under his belt should help his cause. His selection as the QMJHL's Defensive player of the month for November (15 points in 10 games for Rimouski) should help. However in the end it might not matter, as Rouleau was a big part of a brilliant Val d'Or squad that came extremely close to toppling Red Deer at the Mem Cup two years ago.
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury, 18: A superstar in waiting. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles netminder will be a fan favourite in Halifax and among NHL general managers at the upcoming draft. Fleury is the complete package and was the reason former No. 1 Daniel Boisclair was dealt to Victoriaville last season. He once stopped 60 shots against Rimouski. Fleury shone last month in an All-Star game against the OHL, stopping all 21 shots he faced, before turning it over to fellow camp invitee Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers in an eventual 2-0 loss. Olivier Michaud's abscence opens the doors for Fleury, who is clearly above the other three hopefuls. It's his spot to lose.
Cam Ward, 18: Picks up the torch from former Rebels goalie Shane Bendera, who was part of last year's camp. Ward, who has been spectacular this year for Red Deer should have the early line as Fleury's backup. Unless U.S. College product David LeNeveu stands on his head, Habscheid will likely go with Ward, whom he's seen lots of as the head coach of the rival Kelowna Rockets.
