Team Canada’s Q Hopefulls Full of Offense

Team Canada’s journey to the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships start Dec. 10, with the National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp. The camp runs until Dec. 14, where the coaching staff, led by Vancouver Giants head coach Don Hay, will assess and assemble their greatest talents to combat the world at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Calgary and Edmonton during the holiday season.

As of the start of camp, 43 players in all have been selected. The Western Hockey League has 16 players attending; the most of any league. The Ontario Hockey League has 15 players attending, followed by the QMJHL’s eight. There are two players from U.S. Colleges in camp, and two from the National Hockey League.

The eight players from the QMJHL at this camp include: goaltender Louis Domingue, defencemen Nathan Beaulieu, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc and Brandon Gormley, and forwards Michael Bournival, Philip Danault, Jonathan Huberdeau and Zack Phillips.

G Louis Domingue –

Overview: Domingue is a Quebec-born goaltender. That should tell you what you need to know. He’s a butterfly-style netminder with good angles and good rebound control. He has the tendency to be inconsistent, and can fold under pressure. When he’s on, he’s on, though, and could steal a game or two. Domingue has a record of 13-4-1-1 this season, with a GAA of 2.46 and a save percentage of .924.

What people are saying: “Obviously Vis is coming back as the incumbent from last year, but it’s still a job he has to win. We’ll give all an opportunity. [Goaltending coach] Ronny Tugnutt is very comfortable with the four we’re bringing in. They have to be at their best for the two weeks of the tournament. It’s a short tournament and we’ll take the two best goaltenders.” – Kevin Prendergast, head scout at Hockey Canada (from NHL.com).

Prediction: The Phoenix goaltender will have to outplay at least two goalies to make the team. If Team Canada goes on loyalty, then Visentin is one, and the hot goalie is two. If not, Domingue could start. There are questions as to whether Domingue is a match to his numbers. His goalie partner, Francois Brossard, has very similar numbers in close to the same amount of games. Early predictions largely have Domingue at number three, behind Visentin and Bunz. It may be an uphill battle for Domingue.

D Nathan Beaulieu –

Overview: Beaulieu was a top-two defenceman with the Sea Dogs last season when they won the Memorial Cup, and then played two games with the Montreal Canadiens in the pre-season. Beaulieu is again among the top defencemen in scoring, posting 26 points in 29 games so far this season. He is dependable defensively, though not a force, and is a good offensive defenceman on the breakout or in the offensive zone.

What he’s saying: “I’d like to bring that winning experience with me. Winning the Memorial Cup last season was a great feeling and a great experience, and to play on Bell Centre ice was amazing. I want to bring that wherever I go.” – Beaulieu.

Prediction: Beaulieu could be left on the outside looking in, with all the offensive defencemen in camp. There are a plethora of offensively skilled defencemen from the WHL especially, and all three QMJHL invitees are skilled on the offensive side. Beaulieu brings high-pressure experience and an unflappable mental game, which will give him a shot, but there may be better candidates on the defensive side.

D Jerome Gauthier-Leduc –

Overview: Gauthier-Leduc is running the league offensively this season from the blue line. With 46 points and 18 goals in 30 games, the defenceman is easily number one in the league’s defencemen scoring list. He leads his team in points and is tied for the team lead in goals. He is an offensive defenceman first, second and third. His defensive game has improved, but would be a liability against deep teams. His amazing numbers put him into the discussion.

What people are saying: “He’s a good teammate, and capable of doing everything for this team. He’s been a force so far offensively and defensively, and added a physical element. He has total control of the ice when he’s out there, and he’s a key player for us. He wants to be a leader and takes on that responsibility.” – Oceanic head coach Serge Beausoleil.

Prediction: If Beaulieu is a maybe-maybe not, then Gauthier-Leduc will be a no. Gauthier-Leduc’s chances with Team Canada would be only to fill a role similar to Marc-Andre Bergeron in Tampa Bay; a power play specialist from the back end. He would be exposed defensively against teams with depth offensively and top-end players. Beaulieu can do that and be a better defenceman in his own zone. The offensive talents Gauthier-Leduc brings to the table, and they are substantial, aren’t enough to cover up the liabilities he would have in the defensive zone.

D Brandon Gormley –

Overview: Gormley is widely considered to be one of the best defencemen in the QMJHL. He is a clear-cut number one defenceman that contending teams will attempt to acquire during the trade period. The Phoenix Coyotes prospect is a main reason the Wildcats have been able to string together victories lately. He has 27 points, with 10 goals, in 26 games this season. He is a Nick Lidstrom-type defenceman, solid in both ends of the ice and very good positionally. He has a good stride and, while not physical, is responsible in both ends.

What people are saying: “[His upside] is as a top pairing defenceman. He is a lot of work to go to get there, but his skills and his hockey sense are great. His game is a lot like Lidstrom’s; he’s offensive, his positioning is great and he’ll outsmart you.” – Wildcats head coach Danny Flynn.

Prediction: Gormley would have been on the team last season had it not been for an ill-timed injury. He is capable of leading a defensive unit on a contending team and dealing with that pressure; he was a top pairing defenceman for the Wildcats with their 2010 President’s Cup championship team. He has intense playoff experience and NHL pre-season game experience. He would have to play his way off the team to be left behind come Boxing Day.

RW Michael Bournival –

Overview: Bournival has had some injury troubles this season, but the Cataractes forward has been scoring at a good clip when in the lineup. The Canadiens prospect has 23 points in 15 games so far, and only 4 PIM. He is a good two-way forward and able to shut down the opposing team’s top line and also chip in offensively. He is the captain of the Cataractes, a proven leader for the club and respected throughout the league. He is fast and hard to play against.

What people are saying: “He tried out for last year’s team and had a terrific start to this year’s QMJHL season. He is a hard-working, two-way forward who would fit nicely into Canada’s bottom six. He might be the closest to a roster spot of all the Q players going to camp behind Huberdeau and Gormley.” – Willy Palov, QMJHL writer from the Halifax Chronicle-Herald (from thechronicleherald.ca).

Prediction: Bournival has a good chance at grabbing a bottom-six role for Team Canada. He was nearly taken last year, but was a late cut. He would be a good role player for Hockey Canada to go with, and whose style would mesh well with the other bottom-sixers. The Cataractes are the Memorial Cup hosts this season, so Bournival is used to playing under pressure already. He would be a good addition in a checking/shut-down role while also chipping in offensively.

C Philip Danault –

Overview: Danault is a veteran with the Tigres and relied upon as a shutdown center. He is the captain of the high-ranked team in the league. He is a two-way center, and maybe even better defensively then offensively, and is a great skater. The Chicago Blackhawks prospect has 31 points in 27 games, and has taken by far the most faceoffs on the team. Danault was drafted based on his offensive and defensive pedigree. The Tigres have tremendous offensive depth and are poised to make a President’s Cup run this season.

What people are saying: “He sees the ice really well. He brings an intensity and a tenacity that this team needs. He can play any role and plays well in all parts of the ice. He played well in the Subway Series, and deserved his invite. He can do it all.” – Tigres head coach Yanick Jean.

Prediction: Danault could be on the fence for a spot. With a good camp, he has a good shot at a bottom six role. His defensive game and his faceoff abilities will be an asset. He can take defensive zone faceoffs and can play under pressure. If he makes the team, it will be as a center; playing him out of position would not be beneficial, or take advantage of his faceoff abilities. Most predictors are on the fence. Some have him on and some off.

C/LW Jonathan Huberdeau –

Overview: Huberdeau is possibly the league’s best offensive player. He has a great shot and great playmaking skills, and can use both to his advantage. He rarely takes shifts off and has amazing offensive instincts. There is a reason he was the third overall pick in last year’s draft. The Panthers’ prospect is the only player in the league scoring at over two-points-a-game. He has 28 points in 13 games for the Sea Dogs so far this season, and the sky is the limit on his offensive ceiling at this point.

What people are saying: “He was the third overall pick in last year’s NHL draft and is a proven big-game player. He was the QMJHL playoff and Memorial Cup MVP last year for Saint John. Assuming his broken foot is fully healed by the time camp opens, mark Huberdeau’s name into the lineup with pen.” – Palov.

Prediction: Huberdeau’s biggest issue at this point is his health. So long as he’s healthy by Boxing Day, he should be in the lineup. His dynamic offensive skills could put him in a position to dominate the tournament, and he is able to take a sniper role or a playmaking role. He will see ice in the top-six, likely on a wing, as long as he’s 100% healthy.

C Zack Phillips –

Overview: Phillips has been able to put most critics to bed regarding his numbers. Criticism of his game said that Phillips’s game is largely a product of his linemate with the Sea Dogs, Huberdeau. He currently has a 22-game point scoring streak, largely without his linemate, and has been the top center on a Memorial Cup winner. He and Huberdeau switch their Oates-to-Hull routine, but Phillips can also distribute as well as score. The Minnesota Wild prospect has 51 points in 29 games this season.

What he’s saying: “I try to play a complete game. I have great chemistry with [Huberdeau], since we’ve been playing together for three years now. I want to work on my skating and my conditioning, but I feel I have a great offensive game. The experience of playing in the Memorial Cup, and the support from back home was incredible.” – Phillips

Prediction: Phillips will have to prove in camp that he can play as well without Huberdeau in front of the Team Canada brass. His role may be reduced from his role on the Sea Dogs, and the question of his defensive game will be asked. His defensive game isn’t bad, it’s just not as good as other centers in camp. Phillips scoring from the wing may be the best plan. The centers in camp are deep in talent and two-way games, and Phillips may have to play on the wing to get a shot.