WJC selection camp game one

Christmas done come early.

The absolute best part of living in Calgary is getting to watch the Canadian World Junior Championship selection camp intra-squad games.

The first of those three games went down Tuesday night, and if I were selecting the team, it would look like so:

Leland Irving, G: As the only goalie returning from 2007, Irving has the inside track. The starting job is his to lose.
Steve Mason, G: He’s been too good to ignore. There is a very good chance Jonathan Bernier takes this spot as there is little to differentiate the two. For now, the nod goes to Mason.

Karl Alzner, D: Like Irving in goal, Alzner is the only returnee from the 2007 team on defense. Alzner is a leader, and a candidate to captain this team. He is an offensive catalyst and often makes a great first pass.
Drew Doughty, D (2008): Tabbed as a potential top-five pick in next year’s draft, Doughty is a solid puck-mover that takes good care in his own end. He needs to make faster decisions with the puck in his own end.
Keaton Ellerby, D: Should make this team on reputation alone, though he looked disinterested at times Tuesday night. Competition is tight on the blue line, and Ellerby’s effort Tuesday night put him squarely on the bubble.
Kevin Marshall, D: Flat-out, the best defensemen on the ice Tuesday night. Marshall was a force in his own end, dominating along the boards. A key player against cycling teams.
Logan Pyett, D: Played a very strong game Tuesday night. He’s a very responsible defenseman that just doesn’t make mistakes.
Luke Schenn, D (2008): He’s played very well to start the season after an impressive showing at the Canada-Russia series in the summer. Schenn is a no-nonsense, hard-nosed defenseman that will allow his partner to take more chances up the ice.
Brendan Smith/PK Subban, D: Let’s call these guys 7A and 7B after Tuesday’s game. They both made good impressions, but can both give better overall performances.

Zach Boychuk, F (2008): Sparkplug. I don’t think he’s ever even considered taking a shift off.
Angelo Esposito, F: He’s here for now, but without a better effort Wednesday and Thursday night, there’s no way he goes overseas.
Colton Gillies, F: An absolute animal Tuesday night. Speed, size, plays all three zones, my pick to be captain.
Zach Hamill, F: Played a safe, solid game. Hamill doesn’t make many mistakes, and sets a good example.
Riley Holzapfel, F: Played very poorly in the first period, but really turned it around and put in a solid game, and good effort.
Stefan Legein, F: Was an afterthought in the Canada-Russia series, but provides great secondary scoring by catching the opposition napping. Legein is a force whenever he’s on the ice, and plays like a wrecking ball.
Brad Marchand, F: The lone returning forward, like Legein, you always know when Marchand is on the ice. This is a guy that will do whatever it takes to win.
Wayne Simmonds, F: The biggest surprise of the night, Simmonds was making things happen all over the ice. He showed great hands, good speed, and decent vision, along with solid defensive awareness. Another effort like Tuesday night’s will put him on a plane to Prague.
Steven Stamkos, F (2008): This was the first I’ve seen of Stamkos and the first realization is that he’s more physical than you’d expect a potential first-overall pick to be. Though he wasn’t spectacular, he showed he belongs.
John Tavares, F (2009): Admittedly, Hockey Canada is in the business of winning tournaments, not grooming and developing potential superstars, but it’s integral to Tavares’ development that he plays with this team, probably as the 13th forward and power play specialist.
Kyle Turris, F: Not a great offensive showing Tuesday night, but Turris is a good penalty killer and a great weapon to have on the ice when down a man.
Dana Tyrell, F: He wore number 19 and did the number proud. He didn’t make mistakes, and the puck often made its way to his area of the ice. Tyrell will likely wear a letter with this team.
Ryan White, F: Tuesday’s performance put White solidly on the bubble with Esposito, again, based solely on effort. Both Cory Emmerton and Brandon Sutter are poised and ready to take White and Esposito’s places if the two offensive stars don’t get their acts together.

Check back all week for updates on the goings-on here in Calgary, and for commentary on the final roster.