Photo: Markéta Křížová
Canadians love Prague. He can enjoy it, but also attack for the title of world champions. For example, like at the last WC in the Czech Republic, when overseas hockey players celebrated gold in 2015. For this year’s championship, they won’t bring a star next to a star, but Bedard, for example!
Canada had a period when it might seem like they didn’t take the World Cup all that seriously, but that hasn’t been the case in recent years. Her results also speak of this.
Gold, silver, gold, silver…
It will also be a big favorite in Prague. Plus, he still has two roster spots open, so a star could still arrive.
It is said that Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty have not yet decided whether they will come… We will see, if they happen to arrive, Canada might be the main favorite for the whole World Cup.
Hokej.cz tip for the final position: 2nd place
The personality of the team – Connor Bedard
An obvious choice
Connor Bedard
attacker, 18 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/connor-bedard/10098622″>Bedard is the biggest face of the Canadian team. And it doesn’t matter at all that he is also the youngest player of the whole team. The number one pick of the last draft sailed into the premier season of the NHL promising – 61 points in 69 games. Will he add another valuable triumph to the two golds from the Junior World Cup?
Connor Bedard | Photo: nhl.cz
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Goalkeepers: Look for no weakness here –
Jordan Binnington
goalkeeper, 30 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/jordan-binnington/10078993″>Jordan Binnington won the St. Louis Stanley Cup in his first season in the NHL. In the last two years, he was the clear number one of the team. His club partner
Joel Hofer
goalkeeper, 23 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/joel-hofer/10097274″>Joel Hofer managed 30 games in the best league in the world this year.
Defenders:
Owen Power
defender, 21 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/owen-power/10098762″>Owen Power became a world champion before he was the number one draft pick. A well-built fighter who will be expected to score points. That the same applies to his club colleague
Bowen Byram
defender, 22 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/bowen-byram/10098417″>Byram – he is also very fast. These two should mainly pull Canada’s defense. He will bring experience
Jamie Oleksiak
defender, 31 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/jamie-oleksiak/53614″>Oleksiak, this two-meter guy will cut it around the goalposts decently. 30-year-old
Colton Parayko
Defender, 30 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/colton-parayko/10077816″>Parayko has already celebrated the Stanley Cup in his career and has silver in the WC. A year younger
Damon Severson
defender, 29 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/damon-severson/54080″>Severson is also a familiar name – he worked in New Jersey for many years. The Maple Leafs have a well-built defense, with only
Olen Zellweger
defender, 20 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/olen-zellweger/10110037″>Zellweger (175 centimeters), he tasted the NHL for the first time last season. And
Kaiden Guhle
defender, 22 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/kaiden-guhle/10102766″>Guhle? Another young back who still has a lot ahead of him.
Attackers:
Connor Bedard
attacker, 18 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/connor-bedard/10098622″>Connor Bedard. We can’t start with anyone else. Canada will be built around this super talent. He should also be a leader
Dylan Guenther
attacker, 21 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/dylan-guenther/10102819″>Guenther – who, by the way, decided the final of the 2022 World Junior Championship against the Czech Republic. At the end of the season, he went on a rampage in the NHL… Goals will be expected from
Jared McCann
attacker, 27 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/jared-mccann/26391″>McCann, who has a great wrist shot. Many fans will be curious to
Pierre-Luc Dubois
attacker, 25 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/pierre-luc-dubois/5669940″>Duboise, who wants to improve his appetite after an unsuccessful season in Los Angeles. Experience will bring
Brandon Hagel
attacker, 25 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/brandon-hagel/10097775″>Brandon Hagel and
Nick Paul
attacker, 29 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/nick-paul/10079251″>Nick Paul from Tampa (the latter scored the golden goal in the 2021 World Cup final). He holds the title of world champion, for example
Michael Bunting
attacker, 28 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/michael-bunting/10093503″>Bunting and
Andrew Mangiapane
attacker, 28 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/andrew-mangiapane/10084332″>Mangiapane.
Other: Cradle of hockey. Even if Canada sometimes does not take the world’s biggest stars to the World Cup, it is always one of the main favorites… That should not be forgotten.
Roster
Goalkeepers:
Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Nico Daws (New Jersey Devils), Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues).
Defenders:
Bowen Byram, Owen Power (both Buffalo Sabres), Kaiden Guhle (Montreal Canadiens), Jamie Oleksiak (Seattle Kraken), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues), Damon Severson (Columbus Blue Jackets), Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks).
Attackers:
Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks), Michael Bunting (Pittsburgh Penguins), Dylan Cozens (Buffalo Sabres), Pierre-Luc Dubois (Los Angeles Kings), Ridley Greig (Ottawa Senators), Dylan Guenther, Jack McBain (both Arizona Coyotes), Andrew Mangiapane (Calgary Flames), Jared McCann, Brandon Tanev (both Seattle Kraken), Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils), Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul (both Tampa Bay).
Who to follow?
Owen Power
defender, 21 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/owen-power/10098762″>Owen Power
The number one pick in the 2021 draft. Compared to others, he may have had a slightly slower start, but the 21-year-old defender will certainly be closely watched. Considering his parameters (197 centimeters), he has excellent skating skills. It can also add good productivity.
Secret trump card –
Dylan Guenther
attacker, 21 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/dylan-guenther/10102819″>Dylan Guenther
He started the season on Arizona’s farm, but then was lassoed to the main team. And the result? 35 points in 45 games. 21-year-old Guenther mainly has a dangerous shot and is skilled on the puck.
Talent –
Connor Bedard
attacker, 18 years old
” href=”https://www.hokej.cz/hrac/connor-bedard/10098622″>Connor Bedard
As we already wrote, Bedard is Canada’s youngest player at this year’s championship. And his talent? He is unbelievable. At his last World Junior Championship, he scored 23 points in seven games. Sure, this championship will be different. But why couldn’t he win the productivity of the Czech championship?
