(above) Patrick Wiercioch is trying out for Team Canada this weekIn 1999, University of Denver forward Matt Pettinger was assigned to Canada's world junior team, joining Wisconsin's Dany Heatley as the squad's only members from U.S. college hockey.
The proud Pioneers celebrated the sophomore's rare achievement before and after he returned from Switzerland with a bronze medal.
However, a week after returning to Denver, Pettinger left the Pioneers to play for a major-junior team in Calgary. During his time with Team Canada, Pettinger was sold on the idea that playing in the Canadian Hockey League was an easier path to the NHL.[read rest of story]
The proud Pioneers celebrated the sophomore's rare achievement before and after he returned from Switzerland with a bronze medal.
However, a week after returning to Denver, Pettinger left the Pioneers to play for a major-junior team in Calgary. During his time with Team Canada, Pettinger was sold on the idea that playing in the Canadian Hockey League was an easier path to the NHL.[read rest of story]
7 comments:
Does anyone have a pulse on Wiercioch and his plans for next year? He's a tall lanky guy who needs to put on a few pounds, but man, he's a great player. I've watched him this year and there are times when he looks like a guy who could step right in to the Sens lineup.
Ottawa will determine where his future lies next season. Doubtful if anyone in Denver knows where he'll be next season.
Lets see how the Selection Camp goes.
Hard to imagine that he'd be ready for the NHL if he can't beat out seven guys his own age for a spot on the team.
I believe the Camp starts today and Wiercioch will be playing for the "Red Team" in the inter-camp scrimmages. We'll post any relevant updates that roll along the Hockey's Future Message Board.
Best of luck to Patrick at the Camp.
All the Team Canada practices will be closed to the public. They'll be taking place in Ottawa and begin today.
They will reduce 44 players down to 22 in a week. Of the 44 players 13 were drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL draft and a couple more may be drafted in the first round next summer.
DG,
Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work!
Canada will likely post their roster on Dec. 15 or 16, so we should know Wiercioch's fate by then.
Wiercioch pledged his loyalty to Wisconsin too and then skipped town (figuratively speaking), better watch out! ;-)
I would think Patrick and Cody Goloubef (Wisconsin) have a decent chance to make the team, though being NCAA players, bias is against them.
Certainly none of the "laptop junkies" on the Message Boards are giving the NCAA boyz much of a shot. Quinn said the scouts are going to have some input on roster selection.
Just to update via HF's Message Board.
The three Red vs. White scrimmages on Fri. & Sat. night and Sunday morning will be open to the public.
The practices are only open to the media.
The team roster will be announced on Monday.
The players will fly home or back to their respective teams on Sunday afternoon/evening.
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