The 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships’ silver medalists open up the 2011 edition of the annual holiday tournament today against Russia beginning at 4:30pm AST on TSN.
In pre-tournament play, Canada went 3-0 via victories over Switzerland, Sweden, and Finland.
This will be the first time these two rivals face each other at the world juniors since Jordan Eberle went into animal mode back in the 2009 semi-final.
This will be the second time a Saint John Sea Dogs player suits up for the Canadians in the teams six-year franchise history. Defenseman Simon Despres joins Chris DiDomenico - who helped capture Canada’s last gold in 2009 - in the elite club.
In exhibition play, Despres was paired mostly with Florida Panthers prospect Erik Gudbranson. Buzzing The Net has a rundown on their play:
The third pairing of Simon Després and Erik Gudbranson let a little to be desired in the last two exhibitions vs. Sweden and Finland. Their abilities are self-evident; The Big Horse nearly got some NHL time this fall with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Erik The Very Gud made the Florida Panthers (save for a contract contretemps). Keep an eye on how they come along over the tourney.NO GALIEV
For Russia, there will be no Sea Dogs in their lineup.
Forward Stanislav Galiev, who attended the tail end of the Russian training camp in Jamestown, New York earlier this past week, did not make the team’s final roster.
The Washington Capitals prospect will surely be disappointed as he said numerous times that one of his goals was to make the Russian junior team this season. He played for his home country in Game One of the 2010 Subway Super Series at Harbour Station.
In 31 games this season with Saint John, Galiev has 16 goals and 15 assists.
THE SLOVAKS
Tomas Jurco and Team Slovakia open up the world juniors tomorrow night at HSBC Arena at 8:00pm AST in a game that will NOT be on TSN.
If you find any interesting links around the interweb about the Slovaks or any Sea Dogs related WJC happenings, feel free to email us them.
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