Canadian NHL teams were well-represented at Hockey Canada's world junior summer evaluation camp over the last week, with ten players in attendance. TSN Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire was in Ottawa and gave his perspective on what fans can expect from these players in the near future.
VANCOUVER
Prospects at Camp: Cody Hodgson (10th overall in 2008) and Yann Sauve (drafted 41st overall in 2008).
McGuire: "Yann Sauve is a big defenceman with good mobility. What he needs to do is get a lot stronger. Hodgson is a smart two-way player. He's a great leader but he needs to get a little bit quicker. It will be interesting to see if both these players make Team Canada."
EDMONTON
Prospects at Camp: Riley Nash (21st overall in 2007)and Jordan Eberle (22nd overall in 2008).
McGuire: "Riley Nash is a good little super-pest. He battles hard, he skates well and forechecks well. I'm not sure he has a lot of pure finish, so that's something he needs to work on. Eberle, on the other hand, is a pure goal-scoring machine. He reminds me a lot of Joey Mullen. I wish he was a little bit quicker, and I wish he was a little bit stronger, but people used to say that about Mullen. Eberle is a guy that could be a real impact player for Team Canada."
CALGARY
Prospects at Camp: Keith Aulie (4th round in 2007) and Greg Nemisz (25th overall in 2008).
McGuire: "With Aulie, his problem is going to be Canada's depth on defence this year. He's a big guy at six-foot-six but only weighs about 215 pounds. He's got to get stronger and fill out more. Nemisz is a great two-way player and a good finisher. He's got a lot of size, but everyone is wondering if he has enough quickness."
TORONTO
Prospects at Camp: Chris DiDomenico (6th round in 2007) and Luke Schenn (5th overall in 2008).
McGuire: "DiDomenico is one of those kids that was born in Ontario but plays in the Quebec Major Junior League. He's one of those pests that runs around and makes things happen. Schenn is a Human Eraser. He was a high first round pick for a reason. If he's not on the Toronto Maple Leafs this winter, he will be a star for Team Canada."
OTTAWA
Prospect at Camp: Louie Caporusso (3rd round in 2007).
McGuire: "He was vacationing in Italy when he got the call from Hockey Canada. We've seen this kind of thing before - with Jarome Iginla before the 2002 Olympics. He drove down in his own pick-up truck for the Olympic Team tryout camp. He made the team, was a star in the tournament and he's been a star ever since. That being said, I think it's a reach to expect Caporusso to make this team."
MONTREAL
Prospect at Camp: P.K. Subban (2nd round in 2007).
McGuire: "He's one of those wild broncos out there. He gets the puck and you just don't know what he's going to do with it. But he competes hard and he's very quick. He makes some risky plays, but he is a returning player. Canada lost Karl Alzner, who was a star last year, and they are probably going to lose Drew Doughty. Playing in last year's tournament means Subban will probably make this team."
