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Now that the 2021 @iihf_wjc schedule has been released, there are a lot of questions being asked about eligible players and who might play or not, as well as selection camp logistics for Team Canada. I’ll try to answer a few of the more common queries as best as I can. Here goes:
Will Alexis Lafreniere play for Team 
?
If I were a betting man, I would say, no, probably not. He’s played in two WJCs. He dominated last year and won gold. My sense now is that his primary focus is on playing for NYR in the NHL, that he’s done with junior hockey.
?If I were a betting man, I would say, no, probably not. He’s played in two WJCs. He dominated last year and won gold. My sense now is that his primary focus is on playing for NYR in the NHL, that he’s done with junior hockey.
My sense is also that NYR would rather have him in NHL training camp in December and/or January preparing for the 20-21 regular season, whenever that may begin. The notional target of Jan. 1 is just that. A notional target.
Now, if at some point well before the WJC start date of Dec. 25, the NHL 20-21 start date is set for much later in January or February, well, that would give NYR and Lafreniere the opportunity to consider the option of Lafreniere going back for a third tour of WJC duty.
Next question: What about last season’s full-time NHLers who are still WJC eligible — Jack Hughes (NJ) 
, Kaapo Kakko (NYR) 
and Kirby Dach (CHI) ?
Again, I’d say it’s a long shot but given uncertainty of when NHL reg season starts, never say never, I suppose.
, Kaapo Kakko (NYR) and Kirby Dach (CHI) ?Again, I’d say it’s a long shot but given uncertainty of when NHL reg season starts, never say never, I suppose.
As long as the NHL season gets underway any time in January, with camps opening a few weeks earlier, I’m hard pressed to envision last year’s full-time NHLers playing at the WJC. NJ, NYR, CHI won’t close any doors until they get further clarity on start dates, though...
...it’s safe to say all three teams view Hughes, Kakko and Dach as pros and the priorities for teams/players is NHL focused. would love to get Lafreniere/Dach, would be thrilled to get Hughes, ditto for with Kakko but none of those countries are banking on it.
would love to get Lafreniere/Dach, would be thrilled to get Hughes, ditto for with Kakko but none of those countries are banking on it.
There were two other players who played NHL games last season — Ville Heinola (WPG) and Tobias Bjornfot (LA) 
— who remain WJC eligible this year. My sense is Jets and Kings would be happy to have those players in the WJC, even if it means missing start of NHL camp or season.
and Tobias Bjornfot (LA) — who remain WJC eligible this year. My sense is Jets and Kings would be happy to have those players in the WJC, even if it means missing start of NHL camp or season.
Another question: When/where will be the Team final selection camp?
Normally, the camp would be scheduled for the week of Dec. 7 or Dec. 14, probably in Calgary or Red Deer or Edmonton. But as we know, this is anything but a normal year, so the answer is complicated.
final selection camp?Normally, the camp would be scheduled for the week of Dec. 7 or Dec. 14, probably in Calgary or Red Deer or Edmonton. But as we know, this is anything but a normal year, so the answer is complicated.
Team is obviously concerned that the majority of its players — those in the OHL and WHL — haven’t played any real games since last March. Players in the QMJHL, to varying degrees, have been playing. College players may start playing some games in November.
is obviously concerned that the majority of its players — those in the OHL and WHL — haven’t played any real games since last March. Players in the QMJHL, to varying degrees, have been playing. College players may start playing some games in November.
For that reason, Team is exploring the “possibility” of running a locked-down “bubble” camp in Red Deer, which if approved by medical/governmental bodies, could start as early as Nov. 12 and could effectively last a month or more.
is exploring the “possibility” of running a locked-down “bubble” camp in Red Deer, which if approved by medical/governmental bodies, could start as early as Nov. 12 and could effectively last a month or more.
Some of the Team prospects set to play U.S. college this season have already been contacted about the feasibility — Dylan Holloway (Wisconsin), Alex Newhook (Boston College/COL), Owen Power (Michigan/2021 draft eligible).
prospects set to play U.S. college this season have already been contacted about the feasibility — Dylan Holloway (Wisconsin), Alex Newhook (Boston College/COL), Owen Power (Michigan/2021 draft eligible).
Complicating things for Canadians currently in the is that they would have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in , so a potential late October arrival for a Nov camp. QMJHL players would not be at a November camp because they are playing regular season games in the Q.
is that they would have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in , so a potential late October arrival for a Nov camp. QMJHL players would not be at a November camp because they are playing regular season games in the Q.
Mind you, there’s no telling yet whether the mid-Nov bubble camp in Red Deer will get the required approvals. TBD. In which case, it could revert to a more traditional December camp. Either way, Team camp will have to transition to the EDM bubble in mid-December.
camp will have to transition to the EDM bubble in mid-December.
The WJC bubble in EDM will be identical in nature to the NHL bubble in EDM. Same rink, same hotels, similar protocols. In the seven days prior to arrival in EDM, all players/personnel must have three negative COVID tests. On arrival in EDM, there’s a four-day quarantine period.
During that four-day quarantine that takes place in the designated EDM hotels, each individual must get three negative COVID tests before being “released” into the bubble. Pre-tourney games are tentatively set for Dec. 20-23; tourney opens Dec. 25
One other new wrinkle for the @iihf_wjc is that rosters will be slightly expanded. Instead of the usual 20 skaters and three goalies, it will be 22 skaters and three goalies.
Team , BTW, had an evaluation camp last week in Michigan. Four goalies, 15 D and 23 F. There were five notable absentees. Hughes, of course, plus Trevor Zegras (ANA), Alex Turcotte (LA), Arthur Kaliyev (LA) and Nick Robertson (TOR).
, BTW, had an evaluation camp last week in Michigan. Four goalies, 15 D and 23 F. There were five notable absentees. Hughes, of course, plus Trevor Zegras (ANA), Alex Turcotte (LA), Arthur Kaliyev (LA) and Nick Robertson (TOR).
