There will be eight QMJHL players in Junior Team Canada camp, and let's not bury our heads in the sand: the chances of them all making the Junior Team Canada roster are slim. But which ones have the best chances? Have some people practically earned their position?
The final answers will of course be provided by the ECJ training camp, which begins on Sunday. But let's still try to play the game of predictions.
Tristan Luneau
Right-handed defender
Anaheim Ducks (their rights are with the Gatineau Olympics)
Tristan Luneau Getty Images via AFP
Luneau is the only player loaned to ÉCJ from an NHL team. Therefore, we can say without fear: Unless he gets injured, Tristan Luneau will be a member of Junior Team Canada in Sweden. The NHL experience will undoubtedly help the Victoriaville native play a leading role for the national team in all facets of the game.
“He not only played in the NHL, but he performed well in the games he played,” said the man who will serve as an assistant coach at the World Cup, Gilles Bouchard.
Possible role at the ECJ: Defender NoO 1
Maveric Lamoureux
Right-handed defender
Drummondville Voltigeurs
Maveric Lamoureux Photo provided by Ghyslain Bergeron / Voltigeurs de Drummondville
Lamoureux meets many of the criteria required by Hockey Canada: He is tall (6 feet, 7 inches and 198 pounds), runs well and can play in all facets of the game. Even though he has scored a point per game since the start of this season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, it may not be a quarterback due to the numbers advantage that ÉCJ would give him a spot in his training.
“It is impressive,” said Gilles Bouchard. I wasn't there last year, but this year he's a man on the ice. He is difficult to tackle, physically engaging and uses his size and height to his advantage.
Camp will confirm it, but Lamoureux is a very serious candidate for a position on Junior Team Canada's blue line.
Potential role at ECJ: Top 4 defender
Mathis Rousseau
goalie
Halifax moose heads
Mathis Rousseau Photo provided by Trevor MacMillan
Rousseau has been one of the best goaltenders in the QMJHL for two seasons. He was outstanding in the playoffs last year, helping the Mooseheads advance to the grand final. Although his height is below standard for a goaltender at 5'9″, it was his work ethic that impressed Hockey Canada.
“He is a goalkeeper who has a very high level of competition,” Bouchard said. He has a good attitude and is mentally very strong, he is a guy with character.”
The Canadian junior team will bring three of the four invited goaltenders to training camp in Sweden for the World Cup, and Rousseau's name is being widely bandied about among the favorites for one of the two starting spots.
Possible role at the ECJ: Goalkeeper NoO 1 or 2
Jordan Dumais
Right-winger
Halifax moose heads
Jordan Dumais DIDIER DEBUS SCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Jordan Dumais has been nothing short of dominant in the QMJHL this season. In fact, he has been for three years and was one of the rare 18-year-old players invited to ECJ camp last year. He was one of the last players to be cut from USports despite good performances in games against the Stars. It would be very surprising if Dumais wasn't on the team this year and didn't play a key offensive role.
“He is dominant. He has an offensive instinct that allows him to see the game before anyone else. “It’s something special to get points like that,” says Gilles Bouchard.
Possible role at ÉCJ: Offensive striker in one of the first two lines
Samuel St Hilaire
goalie
Phoenix of Sherbrooke
Samuel St-Hilaire Photo provided by Vincent Lévesque-Rousseau / Phoenix de Sherbrooke
The story of St-Hilaire is perhaps the most beautiful of this camp. Although he was never drafted and wasn't on Hockey Canada's radar at the start of the season, his performances with the Sherbrooke Phoenix – led by Gilles Bouchard – earned him increasing attention.
“A little over a month ago I chatted with Justin Pogge [le consultant en matière de gardiens pour Hockey Canada] and I told him, “I know you have him on your list, but I've been training for a long time and I've seen goalkeepers. I don't think my eye is that bad, and I have to tell you I haven't seen many goalies make saves and make it look so easy.'” Pogge then visited him twice and there he is, invited to the Canadian team Camp.
In his case, nothing is certain and he will have to fight to get at least the third goalkeeper role.
Possible role at the ECJ: Goalkeeper NoO 2 or 3
Jake Furlong
Left-handed defender
Halifax moose heads
Jake Furlong Photo provided by Trevor MacMillan
The Halifax Mooseheads captain and fifth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks has 18 points in 22 games this season. But if he manages to secure a place at the ÉCJ, he will not play a role in the power game.
“He's a solid defender who gets physical when it's time and makes simple plays. “It’s effective in both directions on the ice,” Bouchard noted.
Possible role at the ECJ: Defensive defender NoO 6 or 7
Noah Warren
Right-handed defender
Victoriaville Tigers
Noah Warren Photo provided by Alexandre Garneau / Tigres de Victoriaville
A bit like Maveric Lamoureux, Noah Warren has the right build for the job at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, and Hockey Canada has become accustomed to retaining that type of defenseman for the World Juniors over the years.
“In a tournament like this it is demanding, especially at the end; And having taller players, especially in the defender position, can make a difference,” explains Gilles Bouchard.
The Anaheim Ducks' second-round pick is expected to compete for the last available spots on the national team's blue line.
“He is physically committed, good with the stick and very effective on penalties. He’s a role player and a big guy,” Bouchard added.
Possible role at the ECJ: Defensive defender NoO 5 or 6
Markus Vidicek
center
Halifax moose heads
Photo provided by Trevor MacMillan
Vidicek is the center on the QMJHL's best line, complemented by Jordan Dumais and Mathieu Cataford. The Kirkland native isn't the biggest (5 feet, 10 inches and 162 pounds), but he stands out for his speed and offensive creativity, notes Gilles Bouchard.
“He’s a player who can do things offensively. He is always an offensive threat in our league.
If he wants to earn a place at ÉCJ, Vidicek will probably have to show that his enthusiasm can also be a threat, as several very high-quality attacking players will be present in the camp. He could take a cue from the role Zach Dean played last year.
Possible role at the ECJ: deep forward