The 2022 World Junior Championship was canceled last year due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Fortunately, the 2022 edition will be resumed this summer. That of 2023 will be played in December and January as usual.
Canada revealed their roster today.
They’re back! ????????
2⃣5⃣ players will wear the ???? at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.
ROSTER ➡️ https://t.co/Vs5gBIxaiF
NEWS RELEASE ➡️ https://t.co/bH3Z0uPAHJ#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/c1maH8PN9p— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 1, 2022
What I remember from this alignment is that Kaiden Guhle is not there. Why? It’s clearly not because the eight guest defenders are better than him. My theory: Montreal wants him to start in the NHL at the start of the season. Playing him in Laval, too, is a possibility, though. Kent Hughes and the organization just want to rest him before his professional career officially begins.
As Brian Wilde points out, Guhle has some pro games to play and sending him to WJC Aug. 9-20 isn’t necessary.
Guhle has some NHL games to play now. He’s on to the next thing much like Slafkovsky and Mesar taking a pass or being told by Hugo to take a pass.
— Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) August 1, 2022
Prospects Joshua Roy and Riley Kidney will represent Canada in Edmonton.
Of the other players who will approach the Maple Leaf, Nathan Gaucher is a name to mention. Drafted 22nd overall in the most recent draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Gaucher will be one of the good players in this formation.
All of the team’s players (except Connor Bedard and goaltender Brett Brochu) have been drafted into the NHL within the past two years. A lot of talent in this team, therefore, but less than last year’s edition, when players like Shane Wright and Owen Power will not be present.
The team that will represent Canada starting next week at EDM
If we compare to the holidays #ECJ lost 9 players Guhle-Power-Wright-Guenther-Perfetti-Neighbours-Bourgault-Bourque-Sourdif
On ajoute Hunt-Thompson-Roy-Foerster-Kidney-Gaucher-Ohtmann-Dufour-Ostapchuk https://t.co/gdcVhByrFB
— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) August 1, 2022
Over the past few days, it will be interesting to see which other Montreal prospects will represent their country at the Junior Championship. For obvious reasons, Juraj Slafkovsky is unlikely to represent Slovakia.
Prolongation
– The August tournament may not be as “strong” as the one presented four months later. Why? Because many players, like Kaiden Guhle, who have chances to play in the NHL in October will not go to Edmonton. Wilde would like to remind everyone that the holidays are the best time to present the tournament.
Thankful, this tourney is not held in August yearly. Any kid who is fighting for an NHL job won’t be playing in this.
Christmas is the right time for it for sure. If you ever wondered, wonder no more.
— Brian Wilde (@BWildeMTL) August 1, 2022