To nobody’s surprise, Jonathan Huberdeau has been invited
to Canada’s national junior team selection camp. The camp begins next Tuesday,
December 11 in Calgary.
“The Florida Panthers’ top prospect is a lock to
represent Canada in Russia after playing a prominent role on last year’s squad,”
writes Sportsnet’s Patrick King in his latest world junior power rankings.
Huberdeau was one of the top scorers for Team Canada at
last year’s world juniors and at this summer’s Canada-Russia Challenge. He
should be one of Canada’s top players again this year.
The Sea Dogs captain leads Saint John in scoring with 43
points in 28 games. He is second in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in
assists with 28 and is tied for the league lead in power play helpers with 16.
The thing is, today’s announcement means that this
weekend’s games at Harbour Station will very likely be Huberdeau’s last in a
Sea Dogs jersey. The Dogs host the Quebec Remparts on Saturday night and the
Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday afternoon in one of the biggest weekends of the
season.
Selection camp begins next Tuesday, and assuming Canada
makes it to the bronze or gold medal game, he’ll be in Russia until January 5.
The QMJHL trade deadline ends on January 8 where it is very likely Huberdeau
will be traded to a team making a President Cup run this season.
It always sucks seeing a great player like Huberdeau
traded. But that’s just the way it goes in junior hockey, and it is something this
team has done before and it paid off in a huge way. Hopefully this fan base
realises that. And hopefully this fan base gives Huberdeau a great send off
this weekend.
Anyways, other QMJHL players who will have the opportunity
to try and make Team Canada: Xavier Ouellet (Blainville-Boisbriand), Francis
Beauvillier (Rimouski), Phillip Danault (Victoriaville), Jonathan Drouin (Halifax),
Charles Hudon (Chicoutimi), and Nathan MacKinnon (Halifax).
The full roster can be seen HERE.
Team Canada plays their first game of the tournament
against Germany on Boxing Day.
I, for one will be giving a standing ovation for Jonathan. Whether you agree or not, with the mechanics of junior hockey & it's player movements, this kid has given his all for us fortunate fans in Saint John. Lets show him we are proud of him. Go Dogs Go & Go Team Canada....Mike.
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