Canadiens Prospects At The WJHC

Tis the season to gather the family and friends around the television to watch the World Junior Hockey Championships. No where else in the world does this tournament mean so much as in Canada...frankly I'm sure most other countries don't even know it's being played. This years event will take place in Saskatoon and Regina (please god don't let Team Canada where those terrible green jerseys again...1 exhibition game is enough). Montreal Canadiens prospect Louis Leblanc (pictured above at the 2009 draft) was a late cut for Team Canada meaning there will be no Habs prospects wearing the red and white. In Leblanc's defence, his team at Harvard has only played 11 games (he has only played 9 due to injury). Junior teams have played 30+ by this point so he is at a bit of a disadvantage. Players like PK Subban and Carey Price have made the tournament even more exciting for fans of the Canadiens in the past few years with strong performances. There will be a few possible future Canadiens in the tournament. They are:

*Danny Kristo-RW (USA)-Kristo's 2nd year in the tournament. Is a freshman currently playing for the University of North Dakota. Has scored 6 goals and added 10 assists in 18 games this season with the Fightling Sioux. Had 1 goal in 6 games last year at the WJHC. Was the Canadiens 2nd round, 56th overall pick in the 2008 draft.

*Joonas Nattinen-C (Finland)-Nattinen will also be playing in his second WJHC. Had a goal and 2 assists at last years tournament. Currently playing with the Espoo Blues of the FNL where he has 0 goals and 3 assists in 18 games. Was the Canadiens 3rd round, 65th overall pick in the 2009 draft.

*Maxim Trunev-F (Russia)-Trunev is in his first WJHC with the Russians. Currently playing in the KHL for Cherepovets Severstal where he has 2 goals along with 1 assist in 21 games. The Canadiens selected him in the 5th round, 138th overall in the 2008 draft.

Best of luck to all the Canadiens prospects.....but I will still be rooting for Team Canada.