In a 4-0 shutout of HC Ocelari Trinec, Team Canada has won the Spengler Cup for the 16th time. The Canadian contingent was filled with former NHL players including Dustin Jeffrey, who scored twice and added an assist in the title game.
Canada destroyed the competition this time around with one of the deepest teams they’ve entered, a good sign for the potential 2022 Olympics if the NHL decides not to go again. While some of these players may be too removed from action to participate at that point—Kris Versteeg for instance hinted that he was retiring when he left the Rockford IceHogs earlier this season—others will still be right in their prime and ready to compete.
Perhaps the most interesting player to watch from this Canadian group however is Ian Mitchell, who scored the second goal of today’s final on the powerplay. The 20-year old defenseman is a junior at the University of Denver whose rights are owned by the Chicago Blackhawks after they selected him 57th overall in 2017. Winning on the international stage is just another strong step in his development, one that should only help him down the line when he’s trying to crack an NHL roster filled with professional hockey players.
More importantly, does Fucale’s performance not at least get him some looks for teams in desperate need of a backup?
I’m looking at you Dubas……