It really is Canada's event

One of my favorite events of the year is the World Junior Champions. The event showcases the top under 20-year old hockey players in the world.

The one thing that has become clear is that it's not the worlds event but rather Canada's event. From the advertising on the boards to the people in the stands. It's all about the Canadian fans and their money. Look at the list of champions and it's mostly Canadian. 

The advertising on the boards is a list of the top Canadian companies. TSN builds its Christmas program around the more the two week long event. 

At this point, they should just hold the event in Canada every year. This year the event is only being held in name on Finland but Canada is truly the host. 

A Plan to get Seth Jones to Brooklyn

Could a Patrick Ewing type lottery scam be heading to the NHL Draft this year, it might if you listen to writers The Prospect Park, they put the idea out there that the NHL would love to have Portland Winterhawks defense man Seth Jones with the Islanders next year.
While it sounds crazy, it does makes sense. Next season the Islanders are moving from Long Island to Brooklyn. Seth Jones would give the Islanders an African American star that would attract new fans to the game. I know it sounds crazy but it could happen.

My World Junior Championship All Tournament Team

The Hockey Woodstock know as the World Junior Championship is over and the United States took home the biggest prize of them all: the gold medal. This marks the second time in four years that the red, white and blue took home the gold.

Here is the OTWT All Tournament Team:
Goalie: John Gibson, USA
Defense man: Jacob Trouba, USA
Defense man: Jake McCabe, USA
Forward: Mikhail Grigorenko, Russia
Forward: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Canada
Forward: John Gaudreau, USA

Top draft eligible player: Seth Jones, D, USA
Most impressive player, that I had not heard about before the tournament: Leon Draisaitl, Forward, Germany.

Live Blogging WJC Final

Popeye Jones Part II

Most NBA Players sons become basketball players, but not Seth Jones. Jones the son of Popeye Jones is set to make a name for his himself:  Jones Is a Rising Hockey Star. Jones is set to the be the first African American to be chosen first overall in the NHL Draft, that is if we have one. Jones will be one of the cornerstones of the United States World Junior team that is set to play in Russia next week.

The only winner in the NHL Lockout could be Hockey Canada

While the NHL and the NHLPA are fighting about a collective bargaining agreement, Hockey Canada is licking their chops. If  the lockout continues Canada would be set to send another Dream Team to the World Junior Championships in Russia. Bob McKenzie of TSN breaks down what Team Canada could look like at World Junior Championship if the lockout drags on.

The last time the NHL had a labor issue in 2005, Hockey Canada benefited. During that years World Juniors in Grand Forks, South Dakota Team Canada was loaded. That team featured:  Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Dion Phaneuf and Shea Weber. Not bad for an NHL team let alone a WJC team. 

The infusion of the locked out players could not potentially come at a better time for Hockey Canada. Canada has not won the WJC since 2009 and that is simply not good enough for the hockey crazy country. 

I guess I need a new shirt

With JVR being traded to Toronto it's time for me to get a new shirt

OTWT NHL Mock Draft

It's draft time and here is OTWT mock NHL Draft. I think I get a couple right and a bunch wrong. 

1. Edmonton: Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Filip Forsberg

2. Columbus: Filip Forsberg, RW, Sweden
3. Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia (OHL)
4. N.Y. Islanders: Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
5. Toronto: Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec (QMJHL)
6. Anaheim: Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
7. Minnesota: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
8. Carolina: Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
9. Winnipeg: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
10. Tampa Bay: Jacob Trouba, D, UNDP
11. Washington (from Colorado): Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Finland
12. Buffalo: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
13. Dallas: Oli Maatta, D, Finland
14. Calgary: Hampus Lindholm, D, Sweden
15. Ottawa: Zemgus Girgensons, C, USHL
16. Washington: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
17. San Jose: Sebastian Collberg, RW, Sweden
18. Chicago: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

Brady Skeji

19. Tampa Bay (from Detroit): Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
20. Philadelphia: Brady Skeji, D, UNTDP
21. Buffalo (from Nashville): Malcom Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)
22. Pittsburgh: Thomas Wilson, RW, Guelph (OHL)
23. Florida: Thomas Herti, C, Czech
24. Boston: Brandon Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
25. St. Louis: Stefan Matteau, Center, USHL
26. Vancouver: Michael Matheson, D, USHL
27. Phoenix: Tanner Pearson, LW, Berrie (OHL)
28. N.Y. Rangers: Phillip DiGiuseppe, RW, Michigan
29. New Jersey: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa
30. Los Angeles (optional to Columbus): Ville Pokka, D, Fineland

World Junior Championships continue to grow

On Monday the eyes of the hockey world will be on Western Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championships. Over the years the tournament has grown from scouting show to must see TV. The growth of the event has also led to it becoming a big money-maker for the host.

Professional Tailgating: Flyers vs. Islanders

As part of my birthday gift my wife sent me to the Flyers Islanders game on Thursday night and here are some of the sites and sounds from the game.

The old Spectrum is no more, so sad

The flyers hat trick wall

This seat could be yours for next season

Former United States World Junior Championship hero Al Montoya in goal in goal for the Islanders. Montoya was named top goalie during the 2004 event.

Fomrer Shore Conference hockey player JVR interviewed between the second and third periods

Beadle Loves them Russian Boys

The recently completed World Junior Championship attracted a record number of fans, but one person caught World Junior Championship Fever big time during the dramatic final between Russia and Canada. ESPN SportsNation host Michelle Beadle lost her mind on her twitter as the Russian team erased a 3-0 Canada lead and won  the game 5-3.

The following post are from Beadle's twitter account during the final on Wednesday night:

• They will break us. RT @Siwicki4: wow Russia going to pull this insane comeback off....
• Do svidaniya homies! Russians crush Canada...#WJC
• Dear Lord...Russian boys are screaming at me in my living room....I thought it was the wine...but it's happening! Make. It. Stop.

Just when I thought she was done with the World Junior Championship love, she addressed the issue the next day on the show. Somewhere in Russia, a member of the team is reading her messages think that he has a shot with America's favorite female sports host.

Ask him! I'm fighting for hockey...#WJC RT @leemorreale: @ESPN_Michelle Any chance you can get @BizNasty2point0 on sportsnation?

The Front Page Story: A National Humbled Agained

Last year, Canada was humbled by the Americans in the World Junior Championship finals, this year the Canadians were rolling up 3-0  nothing on the Russians, then it all fell apart as the Russians scored 5 unanswered goals to win the gold medal game 5-3. Back to back terrible loss in the finals now for Canada. No matter the language of the newspaper, Canadians are taking the loss hard.

The Front Page Story: Canada gets their Payback

 Last year the United State beat Canada in the World Junior Championship Final and for the last year a nation has waited for its revenge as last night they got it as Canada beat United States in the semi-finals in Buffalo. In Canada the game was on the front page of all newspapers.

An Epic Shootout

In honor of the World Junior Championships starting, I take you back to the 2007 shootout between the United States and Canada in the semifinals. Just a classic as Canada won on the way to the gold medal. The interesting thing about the shootout was that players that were involved. 

World Juniors Championship's in Newspapers

In Canada the start of the World Junior Championships is a big deal from Toronto to Calgary its a huge event no matter its location. Across the country, front pages were dedicated to the event. Here are some: 

Something is missing

This time of the year can only mean two things college bowl games and the World Junior Championships. Last year the World Junior Champions were fantastic with Team USA winning the gold medal on Canadian soil. While the event continues to be great, its lacking something.

When the NHL decided to go with a salary cap a bunch of years ago it had a huge impact on the World Junior Championships. Now when an under 20-year player can play at a NHL level, they are put on a NHL roster because they have a low entry level salary that works with the cap. In the past no matter the skill level, playing the WJC was part of a players development. Its like two different views of player development.

Just look at the rosters of the United States and Canada. In the past players like Tyler Seguin of Canada and Cam Fowler of the United States would be playing in tournament but now they are playing minor minutes in the NHL. While the quality of the players has dropped a bit, the passion and love of the tournament has not.

Candian Cover Boy

For the last few months Canada has been centered on one debate Taylor vs. Tyler and last night the Edmonton Oilers, made their choice by selection Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall as the #1 overall pick in the NHL Draft. The story was such big news it was on the front of many major newspapers across Canada.

The Windsor Star

Edmonton Sun
Calgary Herald

Edmonton Journal

Kane and JVR forever linked

Three years ago, Patrick Kane (above) and James van Riemsdyk (below right) stood on the ice in Sweden getting their bronze medal after finishing third at the World Junior Championship that year. The duo helped the USA Hockey beat home standing Sweden for the medal, but come Saturday the two will be on opposite ends of the ice as they Blackhawks battle the Flyers.

These two are two of my favorite players in the NHL. Kane is the flashy player who went from the 2007 NHL Draft to stardom in NHL, while JVR, a former Shore Conference standout at CBA, took the longer road and went to University of New Hampshire and then showed up in Philly this year. JVR was selected with the second overall pick in the draft that year.

The pair show the continued growth of the USA Hockey, a couple of years ago the thought of these two players having this type of impact would be crazy. The pair are products of the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. The program takes the best players from the around the country and puts them in Michigan so that they can development their skills. While Kane and JVR are battling it out for Cup, the NTDP is watching with a smile on their face knowing that the program has been a huge success.

Windsor: The Real Home of American Hockey

Cam Fowler

Most American hockey fans view Detroit as "Hockeytown," but maybe the true home of hockey is right across the border in Windsor. During the course of the last couple of years more and more young American hockey players have spurned college hockey and turned to the Windsor Spitfires.

Austin Czarnik

This year the roster features a bunch of American players including a possible top five American pick. Cam Fowler turned down the Gold Dome to play for the defending Memorial Cup Champions. The move has appeared to pay off for Fowler. He is joined on the roster by fellow Americans: Kenny Ryan, Craig Duininck, Saverio Posa. The roster also featured another another American earlier this year in Austin Watson, who was traded to Peterborough. Watson turned down the University of Maine to play for the Spitfires.

Next year, American World Junior Championship hero goaltender Jack Campbell has signed on to part of the American revolution in Windsor. Rumors are flying around that fellow U-18 team member

Austin Czarnik will take his shot in the OHL.

Both Windsor and the USA Hockey have benefited from the influx of Americans. For the Spitfires it gives them depth and an influx of quality players like Fowler. For USA Hockey it gives players great experience at the highest level in their age group. This experienced showed for Fowler during the WJC when he was the best players on the United States roster. If this continues maybe we should just remain Windsor, Canada "Hockeytown USA.""

I like him, but he can be annoying

While the men's hockey tournament has been fantastic, something about the coverage is starting to bother me. Its funny cause I really like Pierre McGuire and the work that he does during different events, but something about his roll with NBC during the tournament has driven me crazy and a ton of other people.

"McGuire might know what he's talking about. He might be a fantastic authority on the game of hockey,'' according to a post on the Bleacher Report. "But if you can't be a professional about it, you can't be handed a microphone and expect the listening audience to take you seriously."

While providing great analysis about some of the different players in the tournament, McGuire, who was born in New Jersey, also gives you a little bit of information about something that you could care less about. Like the fifth defense men on the Belarus team played a great game in the 2003 WJC against Switzerland or that the Swiss defense man played with someones father in the ECHL. Its great to show that you know this, but it also makes you look like a arrogant douche bag and that rubs people the wrong way.

McGuire does a great job with the NHL draft and the World Junior Championship and always knows who the next great player is going to be, but sometimes he can get really annoying like he has during the last 10 days.