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Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL)

Team Canada Players To Watch At 2023 World Junior A Challenge

Team Canada Players To Watch At 2023 World Junior A Challenge

Team Canada is aiming to win the World Junior A Challenge for the first time since 2017, when Team Canada West won its fifth gold medal in the event.

Dec 7, 2023 by Ryan Sikes
Team Canada Players To Watch At 2023 World Junior A Challenge

Team Canada is aiming to win the World Junior A Challenge for the first time since 2017, when Team Canada West won its fifth gold medal in the international event.

Since the tournament began in 2006, Team Canada has entered with two teams – Canada East and Canada West – to include all the best talent from across Canada’s expansive junior hockey landscape.

Canada West is comprised of the top talent from the AJHL, SJHL, MJHL and SIJHL, while Canada East rosters players from the NOJHL, QJHL, CCHL, LJHAAAQ and MHL.

Billy McGuigan, head coach of MHL’s Summerside Western Capitals, will lead the Canada East squad, which is looking to win its first gold medal after five silver-medal finishes, including in 2022 against Team USA. You can view the full roster here.

Scott Barney, head coach of SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos, will aim to secure Canada West’s first medal since a bronze-medal finish in 2018. You can view the full roster here.

Both teams will begin play Sunday in Truro, Nova Scotia. 

Canada West will kick off tournament play against Sweden, while Canada East plays Slovakia.

Here’s a look at several players from Team Canada to keep a close eye on throughout the event:

Canada East

Alex Blais, F, Saint-Jérôme Panthères

Blais is the second-highest point-producer in the QJHL thus far. 

The 19-year-old has 16 goals and 56 points in only 24 games. 

At 6-feet, 160 pounds, he’s undersized as a centerman, but Blais uses his speed to make plays and has a terrific one-timer in transition.

Andy Reist, F, Cobourg Cougars

Reist is the top points-getter in the OJHL. 

The Niagara University commit already has 20 goals and 55 points in 28 games, and he will look to expound on his two points in six games in this tournament last year.

Carson Lloyd, D, Georgetown Raiders (2024)

Lloyd has been Georgetown’s second-highest producing defensemen. 

The 17-year-old comes into the international event on a heater, having potted eight points over his last four games, including a hat trick. 

Lloyd is an excellent puck-moving defenseman who exudes no shortage of offensive abilities from the back end.

Will Allen, F, Miramichi Timberwolves

Allen has been an offensive machine, leading the Timberwolves in goals (21) and points (35). 

The 18-year-old winger has shown up in big moments, collecting three power-play goals, four short-handed markers and five game-winning goals overall this season.

Sebastian Gatto, G, Leamington Flyers (2024)

Gatto has found his game in the OJHL after a cup of coffee in the USHL last year. 

The 17-year-old has not prevented his lanky frame – 6-foot-3 and 165 pounds – from being one of the best netminders in the league thus far. Gatto is third in save percentage (0.930) and sixth in goals-against average (2.24). 

He could end up serving in a secondary role behind the older and more experienced Dawson Labre.

Canada West

Logan Sawyer, F, Brooks Bandits (2024)

Sawyer is one of the most exciting players, not only on the Canada West roster, but in this entire tournament. 

The 17-year-old is one of the youngest players on the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits, but Sawyer has the most goals (18) and second-most points (42) on the team. 

The Providence College commit leads all rookies in the league in scoring by a wide margin and enters this tournament with a whopping 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in his last six games.

Dominic Payne, D, Sherwood Park Crusaders

Payne is the top point-producing blueliner in the AJHL this season with eight goals and 38 points in 31 games. 

The Canisius College commit is one of five Crusaders playing for Canada West. 

Payne has been masterful on the power play, collecting three goals and 12 assists this year.

Samuel Huck, F, Okotoks Oilers

Huck is fourth in points (39) in the AJHL thus far. 

The Western Michigan commit has been a scoring machine, especially on the power play, chipping in nine goals on the man advantage.

Nathan Free, F, Brooks Bandits (2024)

Free already is three points shy of matching last year’s total. 

The Penn State commit has shown more of a scoring touch this year, potting 16 goals, including 11 on the power play. He also has chipped in 16 assists.

Ronan Buckberger, D, Nipawin Hawks (2024)

Buckberger is third in points (22) among rookie SJHL blueliners. 

The Ohio State University commit is an excellent puck distributor from the back end and also has chipped in seven goals, including four power-play tallies and three game-winners.