They have come a long way and are expected to play key roles on Canada's junior team.  

Last year at this time, Max Domi and Darnell Nurse were not even invited to try out for Canada.

They have improved on the ice and the two 19-year-olds have grown up off it.

"I can say easily that he's a more mature player now than he was one year ago," said Canada coach Benoit Groulx of Nurse; the Oilers first round pick (7th overall) in 2013. "He was probably the best player on the ice in the Subway Series. I like the way he plays. He plays within his limits and that's where he excels."

"I've developed a lot since then," said Nurse, who has 19 points in 19 games with the Soo Greyhounds. "I'm not putting myself in those situations that get myself in trouble on the ice and not helping out my teammates. It's just maintaining that simple game mindset and being someone who is hard to play against."

"I have always had the tools; it's just finding the way to use them. Over the summer watching a lot of film and having the opportunity to go to Edmonton helped me out a lot. It's another year under my belt. It's been good for me, a great learning experience over the last 12 months."

Not getting an invite last year still stings.

"It's just a little bit of added motivation," admitted Nurse. "You don't need much more motivation than having the opportunity to play on home ice in front of friends and family. That adds a little fuel to the fire I am just looking forward to this opportunity."

Nurse is missing out on the struggles of the Oilers this season. That may be the best thing for his game.

"Not being there opens up opportunities like this which I've been looking forward to all year.  It's a win-win situation for me. I'm going to develop playing junior and hopefully play in this tournament."

Max Domi has already played in many high profile games, including three Memorial Cup tournaments.

He insists he is over not getting an invite last year. When asked for what's changed in his game from a year ago, Domi is quick to respond.

"Everything," he said. "You mature on and off the ice, and for the on ice aspect you get a more complete game, you know how to play without the puck and when to go a little harder," said Domi. "You always find ways to get better. An extra year to get better has made a big difference to me."

"He's been through a lot of things in his career. He's been around, and at 19-years old, that gives you the opportunity to figure out what … keeps you off the team," said Groulx. "Like anybody else at 19-years old, he is way better prepared to play at that level."

Domi has 58 points in 27 games with the London Knights this season, playing for Dale Hunter.

"They (Groulx and Hunter) are pretty similar coaches in the sense they both want to win and they both expect you to work hard every shift and play within the system. I'm used to that. Obviously Dale is as big a reason why I'm here and a big reason why I'm the hockey player I am today."

Domi has practiced early in camp on a line centered by Sam Reinhart, with Anthony Duclair on right wing. This has the potential to be Canada's top line.

"I've played four years of junior now, I know what it takes to play at that level. I've never played on the world stage for world juniors," said Domi, the 12th overall pick of the 2013 NHL draft by Arizona. "You have to elevate your game even more and we have a great group of guys in there so it should be exciting."