Few countries would be disappointed in wining a bronze medal, but Team Canada will be gunning to top that at this year’s World Junior Championships in Russia. As for who will go for the gold, that’s still up in the air.
Hockey Canada announced their selection camp will take place December 11-15 in Calgary. Team Canada coach Steve Spott tells Mike Morreale of NHL.com they know there’s stiff competition to be had.
“If there’s anything I would say to Canadian hockey fans, it’s that this has become a global sport,” Spott said. “It’s no longer Canada’s divine right to win gold medals at any level. The bar has been raised, but it hasn’t changed our mindset where it is gold or nothing.”
One guy who won’t be suiting up for Canada is defenseman Ryan Murray. He’ll miss up to six months after undergoing surgery on his injured shoulder. Don’t feel too bad for Canada as they’ll still have a loaded blue line (as well as the rest of the team) with guys like Dougie Hamilton and Scott Harrington (among many others) as well as likely top five picks in the 2013 draft forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin.
The World Junior Championships go from December 26 through January 5 in Ufa, Russia.
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His Twitter feed teases “a big day” on Tuesday.
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Hawks’ Smith goes from lunch with mom to playing for Hossa
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Just a “wild night” for a Black Ace.
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Odd timing, but big news.
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Led by Patrice Bergeron, who scored a goal and was practically unbeatable in the faceoff circle.
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Dennis Seidenberg: “It feels like sandpaper.”
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“It’s a low-chance game and a low-chance series,” he said.
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Joel Quenneville said it was “definitely not good.”
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He was a game-time decision for Game 3.
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A masterful performance by Boston.
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Nathan MacKinnon says Sidney Crosby opened doors for small-town players
Jun 17, 2013, 10:15 PM EDT
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Both are much-hyped forwards from Cole Harbour, Novia Scotia.
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Video: Jagr sets up Bergeron, moves ahead of Coffey on all-time playoff scoring list
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He owns fifth place with 197 points.
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Big results for his line with Tyler Seguin and Chris Kelly.
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Does that mean it could fall through?
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Big (and surprising) loss for the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Chris Mason’s amazing beard couldn’t mask lousy numbers.
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Multiple sources expect buyouts for Ilya Bryzgalov and Daniel Briere.
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23-year-old was the club’s second-round pick in 2008.
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Reports: Vigneault gets five-year, $10 million contract to coach Rangers
Jun 17, 2013, 5:04 PM EDT
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Former Canucks bench boss cashes in.
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Just five days after acquiring him from the Islanders.
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Interesting, given he’s probably going to get traded this summer.
