Team Canada Announced for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships

Early this morning, head coach Pat Quinn announced his final roster for the upcoming 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships.

The roster breaks down as follows...

Goaltenders:
Chet Pickard
Dustin Tokarski

Defence:
Keith Aulie
Ryan Ellis
Cody Goloubef
Thomas Hickey
Tyler Myers
Alex Pietrangelo
P.K. Subban
Colten Teubert

Forwards:
Jamie Benn
Zach Boychuk
Patrice Cormier
Stefan Della Rovere
Chris DiDomenico
Jordan Eberle
Tyler Ennis
Angelo Esposito
Cody Hodgson
Brett Sonne
John Tavares
Dana Tyrell

A link to a more detailed full roster can be found here.

So congratulations must be given to the 6 OHL players who managed to crack Team Canada: Ryan Ellis, Alex Pietrangelo, P.K. Subban, Stefan Della Rovere, Cody Hodgson, and John Tavares.

And tough luck for those OHL players released from the camp, including: Tyler Cuma, Taylor Hall, Jamie Arniel, Nazem Kadri, and Matt Duchene.

Just a few interesting notes...

• This is the first time I can remember a Team Canada going with 8 defenseman and 12 forwards. Clearly the management felt one of a few things. Either a) They aren't comfortable with some of the defenseman they chose so they went with 8 in hopes that at least 6 step up, or b) That they weren't happy with the play of a lot of the forwards at camp and couldn't find a 13th forward that they were comfortable with. Or maybe it's a combination of both. Either way, with only 12 forwards, you might see one of the more offensive defenseman like Ellis, Subban or Pietrangelo playing forward if an injury occurs. I've heard some people criticize this decision simply based on the worry of injuries. However one thing people need to realize is that every single one of these players is a go to guy on their junior team and is used to seing a ton of ice time. If an injury occurs to the forwards and some players have to start playing more, I don't think they'll have any trouble in handling it.
• It's interesting to see that team Canada went relatively old this year. Only one of the 5 1991 born players trying out, actually made the team (being Ryan Ellis). I'm sure Taylor Hall, Matt Duchene and Nazem Kadri have to feel disappointed in not making it, but they will have a much better shot at making the club next year.
  
• Ottawa 67's defenseman Tyler Cuma was among the cuts, however I've heard that Pat Quinn wanted him to be a part of the team. It's just that Cuma suffered a mild knee injury during the camp and his potential impact was questioned. As a 1990 born player, he's another guy who'll have a shot at making the team next year.