Who Will Represent the QMJHL at the WJC?

On Monday, Hockey Canada announced its 41-man selection camp roster for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship. Eight players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League were among the chosen, including three Saint John Sea Dogs. The QMJHL has long been the least-represented of the three leagues under the CHL umbrella; most times justified, sometimes not so much.

This year may be even more barren of talent from the Q than previous years, as none of the coaching staff hail from the league. The staff tend to lean toward players they’re familiar with when picking the team, which gives a big leg up to those whom the coaches see on a regular basis for two or three years. The last time that Team Canada was without a QMJHL presence on their coaching staff was on the stacked team of 2005; perhaps the best entry in WJC history. That team featured only two players from the Q circuit, one of them being Sidney Crosby.

So how might the Q’s representation shake out for this year’s tournament?

Locks

Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs

There are some questions about his health, but Huberdeau has long been expected to be one of the offensive leaders for this team. The 3^rd overall selection in June’s draft is one of the most skilled juniors in the world, and will be leaned on as such in this tournament. He’s recovering from a broken foot, but Hockey Canada seems to think he’ll be good to go. They’ll need him.

Brandon Gormley, D, Moncton Wildcats

There are only three returning players for this year’s edition of Team Canada, but Gormley would certainly have patrolled the blueline last year if he weren’t sidelined by an injury shortly before the tournament. With no returnees on defense, Gormley will be counted on to provide some stability on the back end.

On The Fence

Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John Sea Dogs

Although he was drafted in the first round only this June, Beaulieu will be 19 when the puck drops on Boxing Day due to an early birthday. As a result, he’s in his fourth junior season and is off to a strong start with the Sea Dogs. He’ll certainly be among the top 8 or 9 defensemen in camp, and he’d be on my final team, but this could be a case where a defenseman who the coaching staff is more familiar with grabs his spot.

Zack Phillips, C, Saint John Sea Dogs

Phillips has been one of the hottest scorers in the CHL this season, currently riding a 20-game point streak. After improving on some weaknesses in the summer (see: skating), he’s looking like he can be an impact player on the international stage despite not getting an invite to the summer development camp. The incredible chemistry that he and Huberdeau share cannot be understated in a short tournament like this, either.

Louis Domingue, G, Quebec Remparts

Domingue is one of four goalies fighting for a spot on this team, so simply having a strong camp should be enough to nab one of those spots. He’s off to a hot start playing behind a young Quebec team, but has struggled mightily with consistency issues in the past. Last year’s tournament may scare the decision-makers off from the hot shot from Quebec.

Long Shots

Michael Bournival, C, Shawinigan Cataractes

While one might expect the final cut from last year’s entry to have a good shot at making it a second time around, there are a few factors working against Bournival. He’s been good when in the lineup for Shawinigan, but has missed over half the season to this point with injury. Not to mention that role players generally come from the WHL or OHL for this tournament rather than the Q, and it doesn’t help that the coaches aren’t familiar with his work. Bournival will be in tough here.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, D, Rimouski Oceanic

It seems odd to look to anyone but the top scoring defenseman in the entire CHL for an offensive presence from the blueline, but it’s very possible that Gauthier-Leduc is overlooked here. I suspect he’s a late cut, but in the end, the coaching staff opts to go with Dougie Hamilton and/or Joe Morrow, along with Ryan Murphy, to provide the defensive offense.

Phillip Danault, C, Victoriaville Tigres

Danault is undoubtedly one of the best character players invited to selection camp. This is a guy who will work hard doing whatever he’s asked, and also has the ability to play the hero. However, I suspect he, like Bournival, will be overlooked for a more hard-nosed role player from one of the other leagues.