Round 1 is over and the pool for Hockey Canada to pick their team is now without hindrance. Here is my final update on the potential invitees to represent Canada in Brno and Znojmo, Czech Republic. Expect an announcement very soon for the roster as the players will head to Europe almost as soon as they hang up the phone after getting the official word.
1. Brendan Gaunce (Belleville just fell to Ottawa, he's a lock)
2. Scott Laughton (Generals are done, he's a sure bet)
3. Jarrod Maidens (Attack are out but Maidens hasn't played in a long while and likely won't start at the U18s)
4. Gemel Smith (A lock to make the team now that Attack are out)
5. Kerby Rychel (Windsor is now out, Rychel is a sure bet)
6. Mike Winther (Already eliminated, should be on the team)
7. Troy Bourke (Cougars didn't qualify for the playoffs, Bourke should be on the team)
8. Scott Kosmachuk (Plymouth knocked them out, Kosmachuk is a great fit for Canada)
9. Sam Reinhart (Ice are out, he's free to join, would be a smart choice but not guaranteed)
10. Brandon Magee (Royals gone, but Magee remains on the injured list with an undisclosed ailment, if he's healthy he should be included, big asterix here for now)
11. 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)
12. Chris Marchese (Windsor's out, Marchese has a real shot after strong second half of OHL season)
13. Matthew Campagna (Sudbury is done, Campagna a serious consideration for Canada)
14. Coda Gordon (Swift Current didn't make the playoffs, his numbers turned a lot of heads this year)
15. Christophe Lalancette (Acadie-Bathurst is out, Lalancette could be a consideration)
16. Steven Hodges (Royals are out, Hodges deserves debate)
17. Ryan Olsen (Could be anywhere from 10 to 20 on this list, Blades are out, Olsen on the bubble at least)
18. Branden Troock (People love him, he's got a shot and his team is done)
19. Carter Rigby (Good character player, would be an asset in short term competition, Kelowna is done)
20. Chandler Stephenson (Just got knocked out, really playing with the idea of moving up the depth chrat as he has quietly been a very consistent player in the WHL this year)
21. Anthony Mantha (Reports are he's already been asked to participate, nothing certain yet)
Other bubble forwards: Alex Forsberg, Garrett Hooey, Morgan Klimchuk, Connor Honey, Connor Brown, Zane Jones
Defense
1. Matt Dumba (lock, likely captain as well)
2. Matt Finn (Guelph is out, Finn will be a huge part of the Canadian D)
3. Adam Pelech (Count him in)
4. Damon Severson (Rockets are out, Severson a lock now)
5. Gianluca Curcuruto (Team is out, he had a strong showing at summer U18 camp, good shot here)
6. Trevor Carrick (Majors out, he has a very strong shot to be named)
7. Brett Kulak (Giants are out, Kulak has some fans, could find his way onto this squad)
8. Josh Morrissey (Already out, chances are slim...but you're saying there's a chance)
Other bubble defenders: Nick Walters, Darnell Nurse, Matt Murphy
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, showed very well in OHL playoffs but Niagara too strong for the Gennies)
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
I will be in the Czech Republic covering the event and will add some blogs on here as well as for the Hockey News (www.thehockeynews.com)
A full prospect report and import draft report will also follow and they will be available at www.isshockey.com
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