If you’re a World Juniors fan, it’s time to get excited: the tournament is on, and it will be underway in just a couple of short weeks.
If you’re a Canadian hockey fan? It’s time to get really, really, excited. While many were upset that Canada wouldn’t get the opportunity to try for a second gold medal in a row with New York Rangers first overall pick Alexis Lafrenière, it looks like Team Canada should be juuuuuuust fine. The team made its final roster cuts today, and the official line up looks absolutely nasty.
Not bad, huh? Just how good is this team? As put into perspective by TSN’s Mark Masters, there’s only TWO skaters on this hockey team who aren’t first round NHL picks. Don’t worry, though, those two exceptions are still impressively-high draft picks.
For comparaison, here are how many first round picks that previous Team Canadas have had.
2021 - 20
2020 - 10 (4 draft eligible on team)
2019 - 10 (2 draft eligible on team)
2018 - 8
2017 - 10
2016 - 12 (1 draft eligible on team)
2015 - 11 (2 draft eligible on team)
2014 - 11 (3 draft eligible on team)
2013 - 10 (3 draft eligible on team)
2012 - 12 (2 draft eligible on team)
2011 - 15 (1 draft eligible on team)
2010 - 10 (1 draft eligible on team)
2009 - 10 (3 draft eligible on team)
2008 - 10 (1 draft eligible on team)
2007 - 13
2006 - 11 (1 draft eligible on team)
2005 11 (1 draft eligible on team)
2004 12 (1 draft eligible on team)
Canadian hockey fans are definitely in for a good one this season, and with this tournament being the first thing to fill the hockey void that’s existed since the NHL season, we imagine it’s going to be worth every bit of the hype.
