The Canadian Olympic team is coming into view, with the announcement today of the roster for the Spengler Cup, the last tune-up of the year. The Spengler will begin on Christmas Day, December 25th in Switzerland. The roster is as follows:
F David McIntyre
F Mason Raymond
F Curtis Hamilton
F Jay McClement
F P.A. Parenteau
F Nick Spaling
F Jake Evans
F Andrew Ebbett
F Christian Thomas
F Matt D’Agostini
F Dylan Sikura
D Brandon Hickey
D Jeff Schultz
D Cody Goloubef
D Maxim Noreau
D Jeremy Davies
D Victor Bartley
Of note is the appearance of Sikura (CHI), Hickey (CGY), Evans (MTL) and Davies (NJD), all collegiate players that have been drafted by NHL teams—though Hickey’s draft rights have since been traded from Calgary to the Arizona Coyotes as part of the Mike Smith deal. Sikura especially is an interesting prospect, after dominating as a junior last season for Northeastern. He technically could become an unrestricted free agent in the 2018 summer after graduation, but is expected to turn pro and sign with the Blackhawks when his season is over.
There are also some familiar minor league names on the list, including Thomas, Schultz and Goloubef, who have been playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, San Diego Gulls and Stockton Heat respectively this season on AHL deals. Players with AHL-only contracts will be allowed to compete in the Olympics.
While it’s far from an exciting group, the Canadian team is going for a three-peat at the Spengler, having won the tournament the previous two years. Perhaps some chemistry can be developed among a group that has now been mostly playing together for some time. They’ll need it when they go up against the expected powerhouse that is the “Olympic Athletes from Russia” team in Pyeongchang.
This is a very solid group that is, on paper, better than last year’s team. I’m really intrigued with how Jake Evans does. He’s quietly put together a great collegiate career and looks like a future NHLer and I’m hoping he signs in Montreal when his season ends this spring.