World Jr.s
There are some decisions I’m glad I don’t have to make. Selecting which 18 and 19 year old junior hockey players get to wear Canada’s colours are the World Junior Tournament may be near the top of the list. Tough calls. I talked with Peter DeBoer about it, because he’s been on the inside. DeBoer, who runs the Kitchener Rangers, says it’s very tough. There are many factors involved, but character is usually the bottom line. In that light, congrats to Matt Halischuk and Nick Spaling of the Rangers, who did get invited to the final selection camp. Their character is unquestioned. As for Justian Azevedo, who did not get invited, it’s not his size, his ability or his character. It’s just too crowded at the centre position. Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it. Azevedo will be fine.