Team Canada lost 6-5 in overtime to Team USA in a pre-tournament match Saturday night in Kungsbacka, Sweden.
After the game, Hockey Canada announced that Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau and Saskatoon Blades defenseman Tanner Molendyk, a Nashville Predators prospect, would not be able to play in the World Junior Championships.
Jorian Donovan of the Brantford Bulldogs and Ty Nelson of the North Bay Battalion were added to the roster after initially being left out during selection camp.
“When you get that second chance, you want to make it count,” said Donovan, a fifth-round pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2022. “Getting the call, it wasn't real. Just super excited. I couldn't really put it into words.” ”
Lono was dealing with a viral infection. He last skated with the team on Monday.
“He's been suffering from an illness here since he joined us, and that illness has persisted,” said Peter Anholt, Hockey Canada's president. “It's come to the fore that it's not going to be available to us.”
Molendyk suffered a wrist injury during Friday's pre-tournament match against Switzerland.
“We got the X-rays back, and he has a crack and a broken bone in his wrist, so he's not available,” Anholt said.
Lohnow has been practicing the second defenseman and midfielder on the second power play unit. He was also poised to play a leadership role as Canada's only NHLer on the back end. Molendyk was skating on the third defensive pair.
“The one thing about this tournament is you're always going to have some bumps in the road and we've had some,” Anholt said. “It kind of motivates this group.”
Donovan received a phone call to return to Canada's camp Friday morning.
“I was at a spa with my girlfriend,” the 19-year-old from Ottawa said. “It was a Christmas present for her. We had just started and then I got a call from my agent and had to pack everything. I couldn't even get home and pack my things. My parents picked me up at the airport and I just showed up. “I didn't really know what was in my bag . “I just wish things were there.”
Donovan drove from the spa, which was across the border in Quebec, to the Ottawa airport and flew to Toronto, then to Frankfurt and finally Gothenburg, Sweden. In total, the flight took 16 and a half hours. He thinks he got about three hours of sleep.
But that didn't stop Donovan, who landed at 10 a.m. local time, from playing well Saturday night. He had an assist on Canada's first goal and was selected by management as the team's player of the match.
“I think it's not that difficult to get off the plane and jump on,” coach Alain Letang said with a smile. “He kept it pretty simple. He moved his feet. He's a kid that can skate and get himself out of trouble and he used his feet early tonight. The more energy he gets, the more he's out here, that's going to elevate his feet. He played well.” truly.”
“I think it was just the adrenaline of being out here that got me through the game,” Donovan said.
It's unclear when Nelson, who will be a third-round pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2022, will arrive.
“The way he competes and his energy is going to be really contagious for us,” Anholt said. “He presses the ball to the attackers very quickly and that is a good trait for us.”
The team's next training will be on Christmas Day. Canada opens the World Junior Championships on Boxing Day against Finland.
Team Canada's lines to start Saturday's game:
Such as – Jicky – Dumais
Coin-Poitras-Savoy
Wood – Celebrini – Jäger
Allard Beck Danielson
Rekopf
Matychuk – Lamoureux
Furlong-Warren
Donovan – Bonk
Rousseau started and played the first half of the game
Saint-Hilaire played the second half of the match
