Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens Prospects Snubbed From Team Canada Roster

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2022

Team Canada announced their final roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship, and it only includes one Canadiens prospect.

Joshua Roy (150th overall, 2021, Sherbrooke Phoenix) will feature prominently in Canada’s bid to defend their gold medal, however, both Riley Kidney and Owen Beck were left off the final lineup.

Joshua Roy

Roy should play a significant role for Team Canada.

Not only is he a returning player, but he seems to be peaking at the perfect time. He has 9 points in Sherbrooke’s last 5 games, not to mention his very solid performance in the pre-tournament tune-up games against the USports All-Stars.

MUST READ: Canadiens Prospect Power Rankings

His experience, skill, and leadership should come in handy to the coaching staff, which includes his QMJHL coach, Stephane Julien.

🎥 | @AdamFantilli scored twice and Joshua Roy had a goal and an assist as 🇨🇦 won its selection camp opener against @USPORTSca.

📊 https://t.co/V646lTpZqU
#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/KpJed1z8Av

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 12, 2022

Owen Beck

Surprisingly, versatile forward Owen Beck will not represent Team Canada.

Generally speaking, the vast majority of the roster has gone through Canada’s Program Of Excellence, thus gaining an inside track when it comes to tournaments such as the World Junior Championship.

Beck is yet to participate play for Hockey Canada in his career.

But the 18-year-old is used to proving people wrong, and there’s no doubt he will use this as motivation going forward.

It’s also worth noting that barring any unforeseen circumstances, Beck should be a lock for next year’s roster.

He’s smart, he’s skilled, he can play anywhere, and he also happens to be one of the best players in the entire CHL when it comes to taking faceoffs.

MUST READ INTERVIEW: Owen Beck Is Hungry For More Success

Riley Kidney

Unfortunately, Kidney will not participate in the tournament, which takes place between Dec.26 and Jan.5, in his hometown Halifax, as well as in Moncton.

Kidney would have been a returning player, though he was used sparingly in the 2022 roster and he was far from being a lock to make the star-studded roster this year.

To give you an idea of the competition, the skilled forward is on pace for a 30-goal, 65-assist season in the QMJHL.

Kidney’s health status was in doubt given he left Team Canada’s first tune-up game and did not participate in the second matchup.

🇨🇦 coach Dennis Williams on Riley Kidney, who took warm-up, but couldn't play today

"Unfortunately sometimes injuries are part of it. He gave it all to try & manage it. I don’t know the extent of it, but courageous for him to give that a try today"

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 12, 2022

MUST READ INTERVIEW: Riley Kidney Focused On World Juniors

Beck and Kidney were among the last round of cuts, which also included Tyler Brennan (G), Evan Nause (D) Carson Lambos (D), Ethan Samson (D), Jordan Dumais (F), Zachary Bolduc (F), and Ryan Greene (F).

Pictured below are the players who did qualify for Team Canada’s 2023 World Junior Championship roster.