It's that time of year of year again to hit the stores, fuel the economy, find that perfect gift for the special people in our lives and try and relax with our loved ones while product consuming chaos ensues all around us. It's also a time of year important to sports fans, in particular hockey fans. Yes Matt Steeves, I am talking about you! When different countries from around the world, field a team of future NHL stars to lace em up and battle it out in the famed IIHF World Junior Championship. What better way to relax with loved ones than World Junior Hockey in HD!! This year's tourney happens to take place in Alberta, a split venue between Calgary and Edmonton. While Edmonton will be playing host to the round robin games, Calgary will host the playoff spots.
This year's tournament is particularly special to me because due to the nature of my work, I will get to witness first hand what this year's Team Canada is capable of. For those of you who don't know I am a Facility Operator with the Town of Banff (or rink rat). The town recently completed construction of a brand new 30 million dollar facility. Seeing as how they are desperate to make back the tax payers money and Banff is somewhat of a destination, the new facility is quite the attractant for hockey players. We already hosted the Calgary Flames just before the 2011-12 regular season kicked off, and we are set to host the Minnesota Wild in January. However, today we will host the newly formulated 2012 World Junior-Canada Team. They will be at our arena practicing and showcasing skills among other things. They arrive today and are here with ice time all the way until the 22nd. Whether they use that ice time every day or decide to hit up the famous Banff night life remains to be seen. One thing that I think is pretty neat is that this Saturday, after their practice they will skate around with the entire BMH (Banff minor hockey-about 100 kids). So these young kids will get to lace em up and skate around with the whole team, minus any parents.
I am out of the loop as far as who is good and who to look for. I hear the kid that plays Division 1 is supposed to be pretty bad ass, but other than that I know nothing. If anyone in QSLS land (Matt Steeves) could shine some light on it for me, that'd be awesome! I hope everyone is having a great December thus far!! I wish I could be home in the motherland for festive alcohol consumption, but I will be holding down the fort out here. Remember to hit up St. Dunstans Christmas eve mass- classic! Oh and if the peeps in Calgary catch wind that the juniors are in town, we could end up with a lot of people at our Rec. Centre, so look for me on CBC/TSN. I'll be the one providing perfect ice so Team Canada has the confidence needed to crush the Ruskies!
Merry Merry everyone!!
Love Dan P.
P.S. Thanks for the MVB nods, but I don't think I am consistent enough....
2 comments:
Danny P,
That's awesome buddy. What a great chance to see the team grow before your very eyes.
I've been a WJC freak since I was a kid... no signs of slowing down either. My thoughts on this year's edition of Team Canada:
Canada should be seen as the favourite for gold. This is a very physical team that is particularly deep at forward. On the down side there are no returning d-men, but lots of blue chip talent. I don't buy that Visentin is a weak goalie. I'm guessing that last year's nightmare in the gold medal game will make him better, not worse.
As always, part of the story involves the players who aren't there due to NHL committments(Nugent-Hopkins, Couturier...)but that's just reality. Interestingly, two players currently in the Show have been made available: Devante Smith-Pelley and Brett Connolly. This hasn't happened much in the past few years. Both should make big impacts.
Here are the guys I think have a chance to become household names a la Jordan Eberle:
-Brendan Gallagher - Late bloomer came out of no where to almost make the Habs this year. Dynamic playmaker.
-Dougie Hamilton - Big, smart, fast defenceman who will eat the Europeans alive on the smaller ice... also, is the last piece to Boston in the Phil Kessel trade.
-Jonathan Huberdeau - Led the Gritty Port City to the Memorial Cup last year. Currently injured, but is a great player if available.
Go get'em boys!
Matty,
Awesome feedback bud. Nuuuuge, I had no idea he was eligible, he is having quite a decent season thus far hey? Arguments on both sides whether experience in the show is a major asset in a tourney like this though. Sure as hell doesn't hurt at the same time. Don Hay is supposed to be quite the coach as well. The boys said he hasn't really been around, the only time he's been seen is when he is on the ice.
I haven't seen them practice yet, I will be working tuesday day and get a chance then. I did go into their dressing room to make sure everything was all good and I took a little vid. Probably wasted on most, but since you're a self proclaimed WJC freak Matty, I sent it to youtube as an unlisted vid and I will share it with you....enjoy and GO TEAM CANADA!!
Danny P
http://youtu.be/594jPcUdYC4
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