16 returnees, nine newcomers: Exploring the new players in Team Canada’s WJC roster – Sportsnet.ca

The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship was originally scheduled to take place this past December and January, but the event was postponed due to COVID-19 and a restart of the tournament was scheduled for the second week of August.

There are 16 returning members of the original Team Canada roster, but nine skaters have had to be replaced either due to injuries or players focused on upcoming NHL training camps.

Missing for Canada include Shane Wright, Cole Perfetti, Dylan Guenther, Xavier Bourgault, Jake Neighbors, Maverik Bourque, Justin Sourdiff, Owen Power, the first overall winner of 2021, and Team Canada captain Kaiden Guhle.

With the tournament starting this week and Canada’s tournament opener on Wednesday against Latvia, here are the nine new members of Team Canada.

Ethan Del Mastro, D, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): Del Mastro was added to the roster on Sunday as a late replacement for Minnesota Wild’s Daemon Hunt, who is now unable to compete due to an injury he sustained while blocking a shot during practice. Del Mastro was selected by Chicago in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and had seven goals and 41 assists in 68 games with the Mississauga Steelheads in 2021-22. At 6-foot-4 and north of 200 pounds, Del Mastro is the tallest blueliner on Canada’s list.

William Dufour, F, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL): The New York Islanders drafted Dufour with a fifth-round pick two years ago, and the right-shot winger’s stock has risen quite sharply since then. After a season and a half with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Dufour was an offensive juggernaut with the Sea Dogs in 2021-22, scoring a whopping 116 points in 66 games. He led the QMJHL with 56 goals and was named league MVP. The Sea Dogs won the Memorial Cup in June and Dufour was named that tournament’s MVP after scoring a best seven goals of the tournament.

Tyson Forester, F, Barrie Colts (OHL): Foerster, a 2020 Flyers first-round pick, has spent much of the past two seasons facing off against Philadelphia’s AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but his 2021-22 season was put on hold after he underwent surgery to repair an injured man repair shoulder. He is back to full health and should be one of Canada’s more physically intimidating forwards. Evidence from the Flyers development camp earlier this summer indicated the team was impressed with Foerster’s improved condition.

“It’s a pro body now,” Mike O’Connnell, a player development consultant in the Flyers organization, told Bill Meltzer. “You can tell he’s gained some weight. He looks stronger, he bent over for me. He’s never been difficult, but if you look at a player over the last three or four months, I see a big difference in his physique and his posture. He eats right. That is very noticeable.”

Nathan Gaucher, F, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL): Gaucher joins forward Mason McTavish and defenseman Olen Zellweger as potential Anaheim Ducks to represent Canada at this year’s tournament. Gaucher was 22nd overall in the July draft and at 6’3 and 207 pounds he can be used as an effective net front presence and should also benefit Canada’s forecheck.

Riley Kidney, F, Acadie Bathurst Titan (QMJHL): A native of Enfield, Kidney is Nova Scotia’s sole representative on that roster. Kidney could start the tournament as one of Canada’s scratches, but Canada’s 2021 second-round pick is dangerous with the puck on his racquet.

Zack Ostapchuk, F, Vancouver Giants (WHL): Ostapchuk is another player with proven leadership skills as captain of his junior club. His Giants coach Michael Dyck is an assistant with Canada and Giants coach Mike Burnstein is also on the staff. Ostapchuk can use his 6ft 3 frame to shield the puck and score extra points. He was selected 39th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2021 and led the Giants with 26 goals in 60 games last season.

“Since he started with the Giants, Zack’s game has continued to improve,” Giants GM Barclay Parneta told the Aldergrove Star. “He has a great feel and feeling for the game. He’s a great skater who has established himself as a premier forward in the WHL and will be a great addition to Team Canada.”

Brennan Othmann, F, Flint Firebirds (OHL): A top pick in the New York Rangers system, Othmann was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 draft and has found success with Canada at the international level. Othmann was part of the gold-winning squad at the 2021 U18 World Championships and scored the starting shot in the gold medal match against Russia. He lined up with Ridly Greig and William Dufour on Sunday.

Joshua Roy, F, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL): The 2021 Montreal Canadiens fifth-round draft had a productive season in Quebec’s junior league. The veteran forward, who can play down the middle or on the wing, led the league with 119 points (51 goals, 68 assists) in 66 regular-season games and had a team-best 23 points in 11 playoff games. He also received the Paul Dumont Trophy for QMJHL Personality of the Year, which could have a positive impact on the team atmosphere. Roy walked Canada’s top line with Mason McTavish and Connor Bedard.

Jack Thompson, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL): The 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning third-round pick was originally invited to pick camp in December but was unable to attend due to being quarantined due to COVID-19. Thompson, 20, was captain of the Sudbury Wolves when he was traded to the Greyhounds earlier this year. He also has some experience in Sweden and at the AHL level with Syracuse Crunch so he can be another source of leadership both on the ice and on the floor.