Key Takeaways:
- Canada is under pressure to perform well at the world junior hockey championship after being eliminated in the quarterfinals for two consecutive years.
- Dale Hunter, a highly experienced coach, has been brought in to lead the team.
- Gavin McKenna, a highly skilled winger, has something to prove after a disappointing performance last year.
- Canada has a strong lineup, including goalies Carter George and Jack Ivankovic, and new players such as Michael Misa and Zane Parekh.
- The team’s schedule includes a rematch against the Czech Republic, who eliminated them last year.
Introduction to Canada’s Struggles
Canada is facing a slump at the world junior hockey championship, having been eliminated in the quarterfinals for two consecutive years. This is a rare occurrence for the country, which has a rich history of success in the tournament. The last time Canada failed to reach the semifinals in consecutive years was in 1996, when the tournament switched to its current format. The pressure is on for the team to perform well this year, especially with the last time Canada went three straight world juniors without winning at least a bronze medal being way back in 1981.
New Coaching and Players
In an effort to turn things around, Hockey Canada has brought in Dale Hunter, a highly experienced coach with a proven track record. Hunter has won three Memorial Cup titles and three Ontario Hockey League coach of the year awards with the London Knights, and also guided Canada to the world junior title in 2020. The team also has a number of new players, including Michael Misa and Zane Parekh, who were surprisingly cut from the team last year. Misa and Parekh are both playing in the NHL, but have been given permission by their teams to participate in the world juniors. Other new players include 17-year-old defencemen Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels, who are expected to be top picks in the upcoming NHL draft.
Gavin McKenna’s Redemption
Gavin McKenna, a highly skilled winger, has something to prove after a disappointing performance last year. Despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament, McKenna was expected to be a key contributor, but he failed to record a point after scoring Canada’s first goal of the tournament. McKenna has since had a great season with Medicine Hat of the WHL, and is looking to redeem himself at the world juniors. He got off to a good start in Canada’s exhibition game against Sweden, setting up two goals with lovely passes.
Goalie Situation
Canada has a strong lineup in net, with goalies Carter George and Jack Ivankovic returning from last year’s team. George was very good as the starter last year, recording two shutouts and giving up zero even-strength goals in his three group-stage games. Ivankovic, the backup last year, stopped 24 of 26 shots and was perfect at even strength in his only appearance. Hunter has not named his No. 1 goalie, but George seems to have the inside track after starting Canada’s exhibition opener and making 19 saves.
Schedule and Expectations
Canada’s schedule includes a rematch against the Czech Republic, who eliminated them last year. The team will also face Latvia, Denmark, and Finland in the group stage, before the top four teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals. The pressure is on for Canada to perform well, with the team expected to win gold. However, the betting odds suggest that it’s not a guarantee, with Canada’s odds implying a 44% chance of winning the tournament. The host United States is at 35% as it goes for its first-ever three-peat and the first by any country since Canada won five in a row from 2005-2009.
Conclusion
Canada is under pressure to perform well at the world junior hockey championship, and with a new coach and a number of new players, the team is looking to turn things around. Gavin McKenna is looking to redeem himself after a disappointing performance last year, and the team has a strong lineup in net. The schedule includes a number of tough games, including a rematch against the Czech Republic, but Canada is expected to be one of the top teams in the tournament. With the right combination of skill, determination, and luck, Canada could be on its way to winning its first gold medal in three years.
