Calgary, Kelowna, Kootenay, Windsor and Drummondville all saw their seasons end last night, meaning another group of players have been eliminated from contention for a spot on Team Canada for the U18 tournament, where the roster is generally made up of players eliminated from playoff contention in round one of the CHL playoffs, or whose teams don't qualify.
Here is my updated depth chart:
Forward
1. Sean Monahan or Brendan Gaunce (Guaranteed one of these players, barring injury) - 2-2 series resumes tonight.
2. Charles Hudon (unlikely, considering Chicoutimi has a 3-1 series lead at this point) - game 5 tonight.
3. Scott Laughton (in a tough series with Niagara, winning would be an upset, he should be here) - game 5 goes tonight.
4. Jarrod Maidens (Attack will likely get eliminated, currently down 3-1 but Maidens hasn't played in a long while and likely won't start at the U18s)
5. Gemel Smith (Maidens teammate on the Attack is a lock to make the team should they fall soon)
6. Kerby Rychel (London knocked Windsor out last night, Rychel is a sure bet)
7. Mike Winther (Already eliminated, should be on the team)
8. Troy Bourke (Cougars didn't qualify for the playoffs, Bourke should be on the team)
9. Tom Wilson or Scott Kosmachuk (Close series, one or the other likely a lock in a similar role) 2-2 series game 5 goes saturday
10. Sam Reinhart (Ice are out, he's free to join, would be a smart choice)
11. Matia Marcantuoni (Injured but talking about coming back soon, even so Kitchener has a 3-1 lead over Owen Sound and isn't likely to give up the series) game 5 goes tonight
12. Brandon Magee (Royals lost their series tonight, but Magee remains on the injured list with an undisclosed ailment, if he's healthy he should be included, big asterix here for now)
13. William Carrier (Cape Breton got thrown to the Sea Dogs, Carrier has good potential to be one of the only Q representatives on this team)
14. Chris Marchese (Windsor's out, Marchese has a real shot after strong second half of OHL season)
15. Matthew Campagna (Sudbury is done, Campagna a serious consideration for Canada)
16. Coda Gordon (Swift Current didn't make the playoffs, I'm not huge on him, but Hockey Canada may disagree with me....it's happened before)
17. Christophe Lalancette (Acadie-Bathurst is on the bubble of elimination, Lalancette could be a consideration) Down 3-1, series continues tonight.
18. Steven Hodges (Royals are out, Hodges deserves debate)
19. Ryan Olsen (Could be anywhere from 16 to 21 on this list, Blades are out, Olsen on the bubble at least)
20. Branden Troock (People love him, he's got a shot and his team is done)
21. Carter Rigby (Good character player, would be an asset in short term competition, Kelowna is done)
22. Chandler Stephenson (Down 3-1 to 2nd seed Moose Jaw, a real possibility) Game 5 goes tonight
Other bubble forwards: Alex Forsberg, Morgan Klimchuk, Connor Honey, Zane Jones, Anthony Mantha
Defense
1. Matt Dumba (lock, likely captain as well)
2. Morgan Rielly (injured but talking comeback, too bad for Canada Moose Jaw is up 3-1 and likely moving on even if he is ready to play)
3. Matt Finn (Guelph in a serious battle with Plymouth, underdogs but too close to call so far) Series locked at 2 games a piece, resumes Saturday.
4. Adam Pelech (Count him in)
5. Damon Severson (Rockets are out, Severson a lock now)
6. Gianluca Curcuruto (Team is out, he had a strong showing at summer U18 camp, good shot here)
7. Brett Kulak (In a big series battle with Spokane, currently all knotted up, keep an eye out) Tied 2-2, game 5 goes tonight
8. Jesse Graham (Niagara has their hands full right now but is favored to move on) Still locked at 2, game 5 is set for Friday night.
9. Aaron Ekbald (Barrie is knotted up with the Majors 2-2, Ekbald gets serious consideration should Barrie lose out) Game 5 on the schedule for Saturday.
10. Josh Morrissey (Already out, chances are slim...but you're saying there's a chance)
11. Reid Gow (Spokane is tied 2-2 with Giants, in the conversation if they can't pull it out) Game 5 - Friday
Other bubble defenders: Nic Walters, Darnell Nurse, Matt Murphy, Cole Wedman
Goaltenders
1. Chris Driedger (Hitmen out, Driedger should be the starter for Canada, however not everyone is as high on him as I am)
2. Matthew Murray (The Soo is out, Murray has a lot of fans since the Top Prospect Game, battle between top 4 goalies will be tight)
3. Francois Tremblay (Pretty strong shot at making this team either way, team is already out)
4. Daniel Althsuler (Already backstopped Canada to one U18 Gold Medal, showing very well in OHL playoffs which could make point moot if Oshawa upsets Niagara) Tied 2-2 in series, game 5 goes tonight.
5. Brandon Whitney (Likely the odd man out of just the debate, but anything can happen, team was upset in 1st round of Quebec league playoffs....every team could use a Martimer....)
Bubble Goalies: Dominic Graham
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