OK, fine... the 2013 WJHC thread

[evolver115]

To qualify for the tournament, you need to be under 20. RNH is so I fail to see the logic behind saying that it's unfair that he or anyone else under 20 is eligible to play, regardless of what country they come from. This isn't some recreational league. There is no such thing as "too good for this tournament", only "not good enough". It's intended to be the best under 20 players in the world competing in this tournament. The problem is that the best aren't always available. If anything is unfair as it relates to this tournament, it's that in normal years, countries are not able to send all of their best because they are playing in the NHL.

I question whether or not RNH should play in the tournament but not because I think it's unfair and certainly not because I don't think Canada should take him. I just wasn't sure I really saw the benefit for the Oilers organization (including their AHL team) and to his development in allowing him to play.

That is also kind of what I'm trying to say. Nugent-Hopkins is a National Hockey League player. If not for this labor strife, there is little doubt where he would be playing.

I find it peculiar that the organization who runs the World Junior Championships will allow a player to participate in a junior tournament after having played professionally at his sports' highest stage. There is nothing junior about his ability to play the game of hockey, hence why he is paid to play it on a professional level.

 

[evolver115]

When the US produces a player who's under 20 and good enough for the NHL we'll be sure to let him play.

:ss:

I believe it was just two years ago that the US won this tournament. Which is two years more recent than the last Canadian gold

 

[puckhead]

[/B]
That is also kind of what I'm trying to say. Nugent-Hopkins is a National Hockey League player. If not for this labor strife, there is little doubt where he would be playing.

I find it peculiar that the organization who runs the World Junior Championships will allow a player to participate in a junior tournament after having played professionally at his sports' highest stage. There is nothing junior about his ability to play the game of hockey, hence why he is paid to play it on a professional level.

I think I see the issue. it is not the 'world junior championships', although that's what TSN has come to call it.

it is the "IIHF Under 20-World Hockey Championships". there is nothing specifically junior about it.
Russians have for years been putting their top young talent in the tournament, even though they are playing profesionally in the KHL. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, either.

 

[dash]

I believe it was just two years ago that the US won this tournament. Which is two years more recent than the last Canadian gold

You see, this is the kind of banter we've been missing on this board.

 

[juliansteed]

You see, this is the kind of banter we've been missing on this board.

Yes although it's actually been 3 years for the US (1 year more recent than Canada).

 

[evolver115]

I think I see the issue. it is not the 'world junior championships', although that's what TSN has come to call it.

it is the "IIHF Under 20-World Hockey Championships". there is nothing specifically junior about it.
Russians have for years been putting their top young talent in the tournament, even though they are playing profesionally in the KHL. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, either.

I stand corrected to a point, I guess. The essence of the tournament is 20 or under.

Under normal circumstances, a player the caliber of RNH would not be there. From that view, I guess I should just look at it as a great opportunity for him to rep his country when he normally wouldn't be able to.

 

[evolver115]

Yes although it's actually been 3 years for the US (1 year more recent than Canada).

Let's not slice hair's here.

Until this tourney actually gets on the ice, it's still been two tournament's ago that the US took home gold at Canada's expense.

Your boys repaid the favor last tournament, but couldn't quite finish the deal.

 

[dash]

Your boys repaid the favor last tournament, but couldn't quite finish the deal.

That one's still a little raw with me considering it happened at the Saddledome. Actually, the US needs to step up its game a little as in my eyes, Mother Russia has supplanted the Americans as Canada's top rival.

 

[evolver115]

That one's still a little raw with me considering it happened at the Saddledome. Actually, the US needs to step up its game a little, as in my eyes, Mother Russia has supplanted the Americans as Canada's top rival.

Yes, I'm hoping for a better showing this year from the US. I'd like to see them build a bigger rivalry with both Canada and Russia.

I can also see how last year might still burn. I'll just leave it at that

 

[juliansteed]

Let's not slice hair's here.

Until this tourney actually gets on the ice, it's still been two tournament's ago that the US took home gold at Canada's expense.

Your boys repaid the favor last tournament, but couldn't quite finish the deal.

Fair enough but the latter part about it only being 1 year more recent still stands. I'm just stating facts as I don't really care who wins this tournament unless 1 or more of my guys are playing in it. In fact I was cheering for the US to win that year as Canada had won something like the 5 previous years. It kind of loses it's charm after a while, especially when no other countries really care. I prefer to spread the wealth around a bit to generate more interest and excitement.

 

[dash]

In fact I was cheering for the US to win that year as Canada had won something like the 5 previous years.

I prefer to spread the wealth around a bit to generate more interest and excitement.

To quote Gordon Gekko from Wall Street: "Greed is good"

 

[evolver115]

Fair enough but the latter part about it only being 1 year more recent still stands. I'm just stating facts as I don't really care who wins this tournament unless 1 or more of my guys are playing in it. In fact I was cheering for the US to win that year as Canada had won something like the 5 previous years. It kind of loses it's charm after a while, especially when no other countries really care. I prefer to spread the wealth around a bit to generate more interest and excitement.

Well, if it is excitement you are craving, the last two tournament's certainly delivered. I expect this year won't disappoint.

 

[juliansteed]

To quote Gordon Gekko from Wall Street: "Greed is good"

Yes it is never a very popular stance but hey I'm a Sharks and Packers fan living in NB. I'm use to it.

 

[juliansteed]

Well, if it is excitement you are craving, the last two tournament's certainly delivered. I expect this year won't disappoint.

Definitely. You could probably go back even further than that. I guess I just meant more excitement outside of Canada leading upto the tournament, as opposed to the games themselves being exciting because they often are.

In other words I was being redundant when I added "excitement" to "interest".

 

[evolver115]

Definitely. You could probably go back even further than that. I guess I just meant more excitement outside of Canada leading upto the tournament, as opposed to the games themselves being exciting because they often are.

In other words I was being redundant when I added "excitement" to "interest".

I was referring to the fact that two different countries other than Canada have taken home gold the past 2 years.

it's nice to see a variety. If Canada was winning this thing running away each and every year, while it would sure swell your patriotism, it probably wouldn't be all that exciting to watch.

Speaking of which, watching this thing will be a pain in the ass. 3 am puck drops.

All the good hockey is in Russia this year

 

[dash]

We need to remember that there was a ton of good fortune for Canada during that 5 year gold streak. Toews puts on a clinic during the shootout combined with Carey Price playing out of his mind or the US defeats Canada.

And then there was this magic from Eberle a couple of years later...

 

[dash]

Hey evolver, if the lockout is settled within the next 10-14 days, no way RNH takes part in the WJHC tourney.

 

[evolver115]

Hey evolver, if the lockout is settled within the next 10-14 days, no way RNH takes part in the WJHC tourney.

Haha, good! Take Yakupov with him





In all seriousness, please God let this happen

 

[flyersfan4706]

No NHL, at least we got the World Juni-

Games at 4 AM...

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Canada could lose Strome, Scheifele, Huberdeau, Hamilton amongst others if the lockout ends.