This Is The EBR Canadian Olympic Hockey Team Eh!?

The Chiclets crew broke the news FIRST that NHL players would not be going to the Olympics. This is the exact time EBR started receiving game tape, checking passports, and reviewing all relevant information to find the best possible team the Canadians can put together to bring home gold.  

Canada would have been a clear betting favorite to capture another gold if they had the ability to pull the stars from the NHL but that's not the case and it now puts them as underdogs to Team Russia. This statement does not mean that the players from America’s hat are not legit studs or the next phase of stars in the show.  

Forwards: Depth down the middle and young guns!! This group is going to have to score a lot to keep up with the other teams.

Shane Wright - Consensus #1 overall pick in this year’s draft from Kingston in the OHL. We were robbed of seeing him in the WJC so Team Canada please let us see him in the Olympics.

Conor Bedard - The 16-year-old is a top 1 or 2 pick in the 2023 draft and will be part of Canada’s national teams for the next 20 years. Bring him over this year for some experience and see what he can do against the senior fellas. 

Corban Knight - Won the Gagarin Cup with Omsk of the KHL last year, and is having another monster year for coach Bob Hartley.  He knows the Euro-style of play and understands the differences in play. 

Philippe Maillet - First year in the KHL and is close to a point per game for the powerhouse Metallurg Magnitogorsk.  The team has to hope he stays hot!

Taylor Beck - KHL veteran playing in Minsk this year would bring some skill and much needed size to Team Canada up front.  This is a role player who will help the younger guys as a coach on the ice. 

Daniel Audette - Krafty little center for Vitaz in the KHL and has put up points wherever he has played.  There is no reason to think he wouldn't find a way in the Olympics to do the same.

Eric O’Dell - Veteran centerman plays 2nd line center for Dynamo Moscow, but would be a first-line center on any other team. A must for depth down the middle for Canada and more leadership.  

Jordan Weal - He brings 219 games of NHL experience and tons of speed to the team. He has been a big part of Kazan in the KHL this year and there is no hotter team in the league.  

Chris Didomenico - Veteran for Fribourg in the Swiss league brings experience at all levels and still knows how to put up the points.

Justin Acevedo - Veteran of 8 KHL seasons who has filled his bank account and has moved to Zurich in the Swiss league for an easier life. He can flat-out fly and put up points. Canada will need him to take down the Russians.

Adam Tambellini - Son of longtime NHL and Team Canada brass, he has made a name for himself the last few years in Sweden. 18 goals in 29 games are the kind of goal scoring you will need in Beijing.

Max Verroneau -  If this team was picked last year he is not getting a sniff but with 19 goals in 29 games in the SHL which is a very defensive-minded league, he officially has a shot.

Kent Johnson - It seems like the rest of his University of Michigan teammates will be going to Beijing, so this #5 overall pick jumps on the plane and gains important experience for later in his career.

Defensemen:

Mat Robinson - SKA St. Petersburg KHL, Top D-man in Russia year in and year out and will play 30 minutes on the backend like he did for Team Canada in the 2018 Olympics. He will be integral in all areas of the team. 

Trevor Murphy - Sibir KHL D-man has been a huge part of their success this year. Played well in the Euro Hockey Tour before an injury slowed him down.

John Gilmour - Doesn’t have the points that you might think are needed to make this team, but the way he plays defensively is all CSKA Moscow cares about. They want to win championships just like Team Canada and that is why you need him on this team.

Morgan Ellis - Defensive D-man for Berlin in the DEL makes this team from his performance in the Euro Hockey Tour in December. The guy was a shot-blocking machine and just what you need in the medal rounds.

Owen Power - #1 Overall pick in the last draft to the Buffalo Sabres.  A Victor Hedman-type defenseman playing for the University of Michigan this year.

Alex Grant - Jokerit defenseman brings some size to the backend that Team Canada always likes to have to intimate their opponents.

Brandt Clarke - The #8 overall pick in last summer’s draft is captain of the OHL Barrie Colts and is another player that Team Canada sees as part of their future.

Goalies:

Eddie Pasquale - A north American journeyman has come to the KHL and been completely dominant. 1.97 GAA in 3 seasons is exactly what you will need for Team Canada to make a run.  Hammering the under anytime this guy is in the net is the right play.

Devon Levi - Northeastern alumni tender was phenomenal last year for Canada in the World Juniors leading them to the gold medal game. Sabres acquired him in a trade this summer and hope he is the goalie that leads Buffalo back to the post season. 

Matt Tomkins - Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League goalkeeper has had a great first year in Europe and would be a solid 3rd choice for Team Canada.

EBR Wish You Good Luck Canada!!

Giphy Images.

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