The Canadian U18 Selection Camp was held in Calgary from July 31^st to August 3^rd this year.  Over 40 players were invited to the camp with 22 players earning a spot on Canada’s Ivan Hlinka Memorial squad.  After witnessing the camp and seeing Canada’s roster, most of the selections seemed what I’d expect, but there were some curious omissions.  That being said, I wasn’t able to take in the entire camp in which certain players may have lowered or bettered their stock while I was absent.

The parity on the ice was better than I expected as few players really stood out as being dominant.  I’d expect that there will be lots of change in the draft rankings by the time the 2011 draft rolls around.  Here are some of my thoughts on the final couple days of the selection camp.

Goaltending

Players that made the cut: Teichmann, Gusse

Jeffrey Noonan | G | Catches L | Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) | 01/18/1993 | 5’11 166lbs | 2011 Eligible

Noonan played last season for Laval-Montreal of the LHMAAAQ, but is expected to crack Rouyn-Noranda’s squad this upcoming season.  He really struggled with his rebound control and positioning at the camp.  Having played AAA Midget last year, the quality of shooters Noonan faced wasn’t comparable to the type of players he faced at this camp. He will need some time to ease into his role as a QMJHL goalie this season.

Liam Liston | G | Catches L | Brandon (WHL) | 04/06/1993 | 6’0.5 205lbs | 2011 Eligible

Much like Noonan, Liston also played Midget hockey last season as was overwhelmed by the quality of players he faced at the camp.  Like Noonan, he had rebound control problems.  He just needs some time to adjust and is still considered highly regarded by the Wheat Kings as he was named the AMHL goalie of the year last year in St. Albert.  He was Brandon’s 3^rd string goalie last year for their Memorial Cup run and he will be expected to make the jump full-time this year.

Robin Gusse | G | Catches L | Chicoutimi (QMJHL) | 04/23/1993 | 5’10 170lbs | 2011 Eligible

Gusse was the best of the rest.  He didn’t stand out, but seemed more comfortable in the net than the two others.

Tyson Teichmann | G | Catches L | Belleville (OHL) | 05/19/1993 | 6’0 139lbs | 2011 Eligible

It was a rough camp for the goalies as witnessed by multiple 8-7 scores.  However, Teichmann was the one goalie that stood out for me.  He’s a small goalie that is extremely thin, but he was able to get his skinny frame in front of the puck and consistently come up with saves.  Teichmann showed very good athleticism and he was able to move post-to-post very well.  Teichmann showed good reflexes and although he was able to make some good glove saves, he wasn’t always able to trap the puck.  Otherwise, his rebound control was the best of the group.  He pulled fewer pucks out of the back of his net than the other goalies.

Belleville Bulls netminder Tyson Teichmann got the nod from his coach, George Burnett, as Canada's starter for the Ivan Hlinka Tournament this year.

Defense

Players that made the cut: Murray, Ouellet, Percy, Bell, Hamilton, Harrington, Siemens

Cody Ceci | RD | RH | Ottawa (OHL) | 12/21/1993 | 6’1.5 203lbs | 2012 Eligible

Ceci was one of the weaker defensemen at the camp, but as the youngest player at the camp, Ceci has an extra year to develop as his late birthday makes him 2012-eligble.  He looked uncomfortable in his own end where forecheckers were able to get pressure on him and cause him to turn over the puck.  He lost a lot of puck battles.  Ceci made some good outlet passes, but he didn’t use his skating ability to open up bigger passing lanes when pressed.

Dillon Donnelly | D | LH | Shawinigan (QMJHL) | 09/07/1993 | 6’1 181lbs | 2011 Eligible

Invited to camp but was unable to attend.

Dougie Hamilton | RD | RH | Niagara (OHL) | 06/17/1993 | 6’4.5 187lbs | 2011 Eligible

Hamilton is a huge defenseman that takes up a large amount of ice.  Players were having a very hard time getting around him as his wingspan alone forces players to go much further outside than they normally would have to.  Hamilton has a long, awkward stride making him just an average skater.  However it isn’t something that can’t be overcome as he comes from a hard working, and athletic family.  And just like his brother Freddie (who was drafted by the San Jose Sharks last year), Dougie is intelligent.  He maintained a 97% average in high school last year.  He projects to be a very good shutdown defenseman.

Duncan Siemens | LD | LH | Saskatoon (WHL) | 09/07/1993 | 6’3 196lbs | 2011 Eligible

One of my favorite pre-season players, Siemens didn’t play as well as I know he is capable of, yet was still one of the better defensemen at the camp.  He has great size, but his skating was a little choppier than I have seen in the past.  Siemens is a force at both ends of the rink.

Jimmy Oligny | LD | LH | PEI (QMJHL) | 04/30/1993 | 5’11 197lbs | 2011 Eligible

Another smaller defenseman.  He was very fast and closed in on forwards quickly.  Despite having a weight advantage on many players, Oligny seemed weak.  Soft shot.

Jonathon Racine | LD | LH | Shawinigan (QMJHL) | 05/28/1993 | 6’1.5 181lbs | 2011 Eligible

Was ok at the camp, but I didn’t get a real good feel for him one way or another.

Myles Bell | RD | LH | Regina (WHL) | 08/19/1993 | 6’0 209lbs | 2011 Eligible

Having seen Bell many times in the past, I know that he is a versatile player and I’m guessing that is why he made the team.  He didn’t really do anything for me at the camp.  He struggled in his own end for much of the time.  He looked clumsy at times – in regards to both skating and handling the puck.  He doesn’t have a strong shot.  However, Bell did make one of the nicest passes of the entire camp by spotting Lucas Lessio sneaking in deep behind the defense and then made a perfect homerun pass that resulted in a breakaway (and goal).

Reece Scarlett | RD | RH | Swift Current (WHL) | 03/31/1993 | 6’0.5 167lbs | 2011 Eligible

Scarlett had a very strong camp and was a surprise omission from the team in my books.  Perhaps it was his size that scared off the coaching staff as he is quite light still.  The first day I watched, Scarlett was one of the best players on the ice.  He was far more average the second day.  He is a good skater that is able to close the gap very quickly.  He seems to have long arms and he uses them to make some excellent pokechecks.  I would like to see him a little more physical instead of relying on the pokecheck so much, but I can’t complain too much as he was very effective with it.  He has a good slapshot and was able to move the puck.

Ryan Murphy | RD | RH | Kitchener (OHL) | 03/31/1993 | 5’10.5 169lbs | 2011 Eligible

How can a guy who had 3 goals and a hard-earned first assist in a single game (as a defenseman no less!) not make the team?!  He wasn’t the best player in his own end, but he was far from the worst.  He was far and away the most offensive dman at the camp which should have held some value to the coaches.  Looking at the Team Canada roster, no defenseman is under 6’0 tall so size may have played a part in the decision to leave Murphy off the team.

Ryan Murray | LD | LH | Everett (WHL) | 09/27/1993 | 6’0.5 190lbs | 2012 Eligible

Another 2012-Eligible player who parlayed a strong camp into a role as Captain, despite being the youngest player named to the team.  Murray is a very good two-way player.  He showed a strong first pass, and was calm and reliable in his end.   A good skater.  Very good acceleration and closing speed although his lateral movement was just ok.  Quick release with his wrist shot.

Scott Harrington | LD | LH | London (OHL) | 03/10/1993 | 6’1 209lbs | 2011 Eligible

Harrington had a solid if unspectacular camp.  His skating wasn’t that great and his acceleration was not good, but he knew where to be and wasn’t ever a liability on the ice.  He just kept getting the job done, even if it didn’t always look pretty.

Stephen Woodworth | LD | LH | Cape Breton (QMJHL) | 01/21/1993 | 5’11.5 183lbs | 2011 Eligible

Another small and quick player.  He played a very simple game.  Looks to be a good junior player, but I’m not convinced that his game translates to the pros.

Stuart Percy | LD | LH | Mississauga (OHL) | 05/18/1993 | 6’1 187lbs | 2011 Eligible

Not having seen much of Percy before, he was a pleasant surprise.  He seemed a little taller than he is listed and quite thin.  He played the role of a shutdown defenseman while chipping in a couple assists for Team Red.  A good skater and puck-mover.  Percy was one of the more interesting prospects at the camp for me.

Xavier Ouellet | RD| LH | Montreal (QMJHL) | 7/29/1993 | 6’0 174lbs | 2011 Eligible

Ouellet was a little shaky during my first viewing as he was prone to some mistakes in his own end.  He had a much stronger final day.  He used his reach and moved well.  Has some upside.

Tags: Cody Ceci, Dillon Donnelly, Dougie Hamilton, Duncan Siemens, Jeffrey Noonan, Jimmy Oligny, Jonathon Racine, Liam Liston, Myles Bell, Reece Scarlett, Robin Gusse, Ryan Murphy, Ryan Murray, Scott Harrington, Stephen Woodworth, Stuart Percy, Tyson Teichmann, Xavier Ouellet

About the Author: Scott McDougall

Scott has covered the WHL for TSR since the site opened back in 2009. Scott lives in Calgary, where he is able to attend the majority of his WHL games and Hockey Canada development camps. He regularly travels around Alberta to attend particular games of interest. He will venture to other locations around Western Canada when possible. Originally hailing from Manitoba, Scott makes sure to attend key tournaments out there ranging from the past World Juniors events in 1999 and 2005, to the Memorial Cup in 2010, and the U17 World Championships. Scott is also involved in the game as a minor hockey referee.