Dufour released from Team Canada camp

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Saint John Sea Dogs forward William Dufour was one of the final eight players released from Team Canada's national junior team selection camp on Sunday.

Dufour, Zach Dean (Gatineau, QMJHL), Luke Evangelista (London, OHL), Jack Finley (Spokane, WHL), Vincent Iorio (Brandon, WHL), Joshua Roy (Sherbrooke, QMJHL), Hendrix Lapierre (Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL) and Ryan Tverberg (University of Connecticut) were the final cuts announced Sunday evening. Defenseman Daemon Hunt (Moose Jaw, WHL) is unable to participate in the tournament due to injury.

Dufour currently sits third in QMJHL scoring with 44 points and fourth in goals with 20. The New York Islanders prospect will turn 20 in January, meaning this was unfortunately his final crack at playing in the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Dufour appeared in both of Canada's camp games against a team of players from U Sports. He scored in Sunday's contest while playing on a line with Roy and Regina's Connor Bedard.

Of the cuts, Lapierre is certainly a big surprise given that he started the season with the Washington Capitals before being reassigned to Bathurst.

Only four QMJHL players made Canada's 25-man roster for this year's world juniors: forwards Elliot Desnoyers (Halifax), Mavrik Bourque (Shawinigan) and Xavier Bourgault (Shawinigan) along with defenseman Lukas Cormier (Charlottetown).

Canada begins pre-tournament play on Dec. 19 against Switzerland.

The world juniors begin on Boxing Day in Edmonton and Red Deer.