News And Notes From Decision Day

If you haven’t noticed, the World Junior Hockey Championship are kind of a big deal in this country. So when two members of the Saint John Sea Dogs are named to Team Canada, it’s kind of a big deal around here.

Defenseman Nathan Beaulieu had a strong selection camp, ending it with a two-point performance on Monday night against the CIS “All-Stars.” Meanwhile, forward Jonathan Huberdeau didn’t participate in camp because of his foot injury but was seen skating today during the team’s photo shoot.

Beaulieu and Huberdeau join Moncton’s Brandon Gormley and Shawinigan’s Michael Bourniavl as the only Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players to crack this year’s Canadian roster.

Today’s events got plenty of media attention. Here’s a collection of QMJHL related stuff from around the interweb.

• Sportsnet’s Patrick King gives his take on the roster.
• Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino gives his take on the roster. On Beaulieu: “In the event instant offense is required, Nathan Beaulieu will be called upon to provide that. But don't sleep on Beaulieu as an all-around guy. It may look a little bit like 2009 when Ryan Ellis was chosen as the seventh defenceman specifically for powerplay usage, yet ended up in all situations and was arguably Canada's best defenceman in winning gold in Ottawa.”
• Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News shares his thoughts.
• “Proud to be part of team Canada world junior team #Canada” – Jonathan Huberdeau tweeted
• TSN’s Ray Ferraro on the defense core: "Most of these players have played at other high level events through Hockey Canada's programs in the past. I think they feel that their defending style will be good enough. I have to believe that at some point in the tournament you'll wish you had an experienced guy, you just don't."
• NBC calls Huberdeau one to watch at this year’stournament. “Taken third overall in June by the Florida Panthers, Huberdeau (Saint John, QMJHL) is still recovering from a broken foot that he suffered in early November” writes Jason Brough. “Obviously management is optimistic he’ll be able to play or they wouldn’t have kept him. Huberdeau had 28 points in 13 games for the Sea Dogs before getting injured.”
• “I'm cut but I respect their decision,” said Phillip Danault this morning. “If they win the gold medal, I'll respect it more for sure.” You gotta fell for Danault. He was the final player to reach the hotel lobby this morning. He was probably one of the most underrated players at camp this year. We saw a few tweets that referred to him as a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and then the Canadian Press referred to the Tigres as the “Victoria Tigres.” Rough times all around.
• There will be three Montreal Canadian prospects on this year’s team – Beaulieu, Michael Bournival and Brandan Gallagher. Habs Eyes On The Prize has more on that.
• According to the Hockey Canada release, “Canada’s National Junior Team will practice once in Calgary, at the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex in Calgary, on Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. before moving to Banff, where it will be based through Dec. 22.”
• The jackets and suitcases that were given to the players this morning after the knock on the door.

Here are the four QMJHL players taking about making the team.

Here’s yesterday post-gamer, featuring Nathan Beaulieu.

The tournament schedule:

Monday, Dec. 26: 3:00 p.m. vs. Finland
Wednesday, Dec. 28: 7:30 p.m. vs. Czech Republic
Thursday, Dec. 29: 7:00 p.m. vs. Denmark
Saturday, Dec. 31: 7:30 p.m. vs. USA
Quarterfinals: Monday, Jan. 2 - 4:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
Semifinals: Tuesday, Jan. 3 - 4:30 p.m. AND 8:30 p.m.
Bronze medal game: Thursday, Jan. 5 - 3:00 p.m.
Gold medal game: Thursday, Jan. 5 - 7:30 p.m.

All of Canada’s game will be on TSN of course. Sportsnet 590 The Fan is handling the radio broadcasts again this year, so News 88.9 should be picking most of them up.