Junior Team Canada is still hoping for reinforcements from the NHL by December 19th, but it won't be Zach Benson.
• Also read: Six Quebecers will be represented with Junior Team Canada
The Buffalo Sabers forward will not be loaned to ÉCJ, as TSN journalist Darren Dreger reported on Thursday.
“He’s too important for the Sabres. He plays with the numerical advantage and the numerical disadvantage and continues to develop [Tage] Thompson and [Alex] Du Ch. “That's not going to happen,” he said on Thursday night's “Insider Trading” segment.
Dreger then added that there is still hope in the case of Boston Bruins center Matthew Poitras, pointing out that the chances of seeing him land in Europe for the World Juniors are slim since he is in his NHL Team plays an important role.
Team Canada traveled to Europe Thursday night with just 12 forwards, hoping a Bettman Tour player would be there.
The ÉCJ will therefore probably rely on an attacker that it cut as the 13th attacker last Wednesday evening. Remember, Halifax Mooseheads' Montrealer Markus Vidicek was one of four forwards who didn't make the cut, along with Denver Barkey (London), Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw) and Paul Ludwinski (Kingston).