TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button says this year’s Canadian World Junior team is much different from the one that finished fifth in Sweden a year ago.
With only four returning players, Button has higher expectations for this year’s roster as Canada will be playing on home soil in Ottawa.
“There’s not a forward in Canada better than Gavin McKenna,” said Button. “His brilliance is on display all the time. There’s no spotlight that’s ever been too bright for Gavin. There’s no challenge that’s ever been too great. There’s no pressure that’s ever squeezed him too tightly. “That’s why I compare him to Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Corey Perry. His hands and hockey sense are excellent.” Ritchie started the season in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, playing seven games before returning to the Oshawa Generals.
In 2023-24, Catton parlayed a strong draft season where he scored 54 goals with 116 points in 68 games into being drafted eighth overall by the Seattle Kraken in June. He led the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring with five goals and 10 points en route to gold and was a part of the Canadian U18 team that earned bronze in 2023. One of four players returning from last year’s team, Bonk will be a massive part of Canada’s blueline.
“He’s the golden boy,” said Button. “Everywhere he plays he turns into gold; every team he’s on. I think he’s a Drew Doughty type. That’s his game.
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