The announcement of the training of 32 players for the Canadian under-20 team camp for the next World Junior Hockey Championship did not only make people happy.
• Also read: Is Quebec really the joke with Junior Team Canada?
• Also read: How could Hockey Canada ignore Beckett Sennecke, Tij Iginla and Michael Hage?
Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios doesn’t understand why defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, the team’s first pick in the last draft, was simply ignored by Hockey Canada executives.
“In our opinion, Carter is having an excellent season and his ability to step up his game when the pressure is at its peak is something that Canada could have benefited from for the tournament,” added Staios.
The Senators colt was one of the last players cut at NHL camp and continued his progression in the junior ranks with the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Junior League (WHL). The 19-year-old guard has already scored nine goals and 23 points in just 20 games, while continuing to improve his game in his zone, his Achilles heel.
It was also the last opportunity for Yakemchuk to participate in the World Juniors since he will be too old next year.
“We understand that they have to make difficult decisions and that players who deserve to be there are not being retained,” Staios said in an interview with Bruce Garrioch of Post Media.
“However, it’s special when four players chosen in the top-10 of the NHL draft are simply absent from the training for camp.”
In addition to Yakemchuk, selected 7th overall, ÉCJ decided not to invite Beckett Sennecke (3rd), Tij Iginla (6th) and Zayne Parekh (9th), all chosen among the first ten picks in the last NHL auction.
The World Juniors will take place from December 26 to January 5 in Ottawa.
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