It's not really an unusual phenomenon to see big-name players getting cut at the World Juniors; we saw this last year with Windsor Spitfires standout, Taylor Hall.
Hall was ripping up the Ontario Hockey League and everybody assumed he'd be good enough to play for Team Canada.
He got to the selection camp in Ottawa but looked to be a step behind. He seemed awestruck by the whole experience, and the same sort of thing happened to Tyler Seguin in his first time out.
Hall has been terrific. With the experience he got in Ottawa last year, getting cut and coming back this year, he's been one of the most dynamic guys in this camp.
For these kids; Seguin, Brandon Gormley, John McFarland, Nicolas Deslauriers, the first time around is the toughest and these guys are terrific hockey players. No doubt, they'll be back.
Net Gain
I think Montreal Juniors netminder Jake Allan is Team Canada's number one guy in goal and it's his job to loss.
Beyond that, I think Team Canada is looking for a steadying influence; someone who can come off the bench if they need to and be put in that situation. I think Matt Hackett from the Plymouth Whalers might have an inside track on that, but Martin Jones from the Western Hockey League is also a capable goaltender.
I would think Olivier Roy from the Quebec Major Junior League might be the odd man out, but at this point, I think it's a battle between Hackett and Jones.