The QMJHL sent 9 players to the U-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial team tryout, which out of 40 players does not seem like the 'Q' is filling their share, but of the 9 players sent over there should be a lot of noise from the QMJHL invites.
Nathan Mackinnon headlines the group as the best player at the camp, only competing at the U-18 level due to Hockey Canada technicalities that stipulate only U-18 tournament graduates may skip the Ivan Hlinka for the Canada Russia Summit Series. He is likely to dominate this tournament and will be Canadas go-to guy offensively. Has supposedly looked good but not outstanding in camp on a line with Jonathan Drouin and Nick Ritchie.
Jonathan Drouin is a another QMJHL standout, expected to play wing on Canadas top line with Mackinnon. They have chemistry from playing together with the Mooseheads, and have shown it at camp. Drouin has improved his skating from last year and been a star playmaker so far in camp.
Zach Fucale is currently pencilled in as the starter for Canada, based on his experience last year compared to Jarry, Comrie and Martin. He pitched a shutout in the first scrimmage and has looked even more technically sound and poised than last year.
Anthony Duclair has been listed as a standout by many scouts via twitter, and to be honest I am not surprised due to his ability to use teammates on the rush so well, and playing against defencemen his age will be huge to help him use his speed to create offence. Duclair is likely to be a key part of Canadas 2nd line.
Nikolas Brouillard has supposedly looked like himself so far in the camp. The small, smart offensive defenceman has shown his two-way smarts in the scrimmages, but will be hard pressed to make the team with so many other options available for Canada.
Samuel Morin will be given every opportunity to make this team. The 6'5 defender looks more fluid through the first scimmage and could be invaluable to a Canadian team that tends to ice an enormous defender or two in the tournament.
Jerémy Gregoire has not blown up twitter to be sure, but is playing his efficient two-way game is not much to write about for scouts. Gregoire is a heart and character player who captained U-17 team Quebec last year. He will have a good chance at the 13th forward spot because of these attributes.
Matt Murphy is another two-way character player who has a good chance at earning the 7th defenceman spot. He plays, and has shown, a quiet and smart game in both ends. He has a grat hockey IQ and could be a steadying presence on the back end for Canada.
*Update, was hurt at camp and did not play todays scrimmage
Yan Pavel Laplante is another heart and soul type player, similar to Gregoire, but lags behind him the talent department. The expectations of him making the team are very low.
Tommy Veilleux is an undersized, gritty winger who hits at a frantic pace. He put up 71 PIM last year with Victoriavile and was showing the same jam at camp, supposedly being one of the biggest physical presences in camp. His chances of making the team are low, but if the coaches are looking for physical presence as the 13th forward, Veilleux would definitely fill that role well.
With Mackinnon, Fucale, Drouin and Duclair all expected to be key players, and depth roles expected to be filled by Gregoire, Morin and Murphy Canadas U-18 team will be helped enormously by the QMJHL at this years Ivan Hlinka.
Projected roster based off what I've heard -
** Updated roster, with my wrong guesses crossed out, willing to admit biggest goof on Laplante
Drouin-Mackinnon-Baptiste
Duclair-Lazar-Ritchie
Laplante Harper-Horvat-Domi
Petan-Kujawinski-Klimchuk
Gregoire
Nurse-Bowey
Theodore-Ekblad Doytzel
Morrissey-Subban
Fucale
Comrie
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