Who-berdeau Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 http://sports.yahoo.com/news/canada-s-walking-wounded-plan-to-be-ready-in-time-for-world-junior-hockey-championship-225202406.html At Team Canada’s world junior summer camp in Brossard, Que., Jake Virtanen skated alone. He was still rehabbing after shoulder surgery and no chances were being taken with his health. There was a malaise in the way he put pucks in the net by himself after the rest of the team had left the ice. It’s a different story now that he’s healed and able to skate with full-contact in Canada’s final selection camp in Toronto. “It’s definitely a great feeling,” said Virtanen after his first practice with the team at the MasterCard Centre. “It’s good to get back because it was frustrating and depressing that I couldn’t be out there (in the summer) having fun with the guys on the ice. I’m just thankful to be back.” In the months that passed, Virtanen was finally healed enough to start playing for the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen. The 18-year-old forward was able to suit up for 20 WHL games before camp. He admits his return has been tough because he’s had to correct a few “bad habits” that have crept into his game while trying to get into game shape. “I’m still trying to get back into my groove,” said the first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks. “I’m really trying hard to remove those habits like looping – just kind of skate by the puck and not stop – that’s one of the main things I’m trying to focus on.” At camp there are five players – Virtanen, Samuel Morin (fractured jaw), Morgan Klimchuk (wrist), Nick Baptiste (shoulder), and Shea Theodore (elbow) - who are healthy now, but missed significant time this season due to injuries. Connor McDavid, who broke his hand in a fight on Nov. 11, is the only player at camp still on the mend skating in practice with a yellow non-contact jersey. In Morin’s case, he has only played in 12 games this year for the Rimouski Oceanic and seven since returning from surgery. The defenceman needed screws and metal plates to stabilize his decimated jaw after he was hit by a Cody Donaghey slap shot during an Oct. 12 game against Quebec. “It was a one-timer right in the face,” Morin said. “He missed the net pretty hard.” It’s been a long, three month recovery and he’s still required to wear a full face-shield for another few weeks. To be thrown into a high-intensity camp like this has been a challenge. “Sure, it’s hard,” said the 6-foot-7, 225-pound behemoth on Friday. “But I worked a lot with my junior team to be in shape and now I’m just trying to do my best here.” Team Canada head coach Benoit Groulx and head scout Ryan Jankowski have said that they’re looking for a big, skilled team and both Morin and Virtanen, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound power forward, most definitely fit the bill. Morin has the bonus of having played against Groulx’s Gatineau team in the past, including the 2013 QMJHL playoffs where the Olympiques defeated the Oceanic in six games. “I played against him in the playoffs and I think I played pretty well,” said Morin. “So for sure it helps but I still need to have a good camp here.” The only question is whether he’ll be hindered by missing time through injury. But it’s not all bad. Jankowski believes that while there’s nothing good in being hurt, it’s still not all negative when it comes to a short, intense camp leading into the pressure-packed world junior tournament. View photo . Jake Virtanen. (The Canadian Press) “I look at it as an advantage from our standpoint because they’re a little more rested,” said Jankowski. “The top 19-year-old and the top 18-year-old players, they play so much. They get so much ice time, it’s nice that they get a little bit of a rest and it’s obviously different circumstances with an injury. … They’re back enough that they can shake out the rust before we really have to get in and get to this level.”This is particularly true for McDavid, who has been under intense scrutiny since joining the OHL’s Erie Otters as a 15-year-old. The break might have given him a little mental and physical respite from the daily junior hockey grind.If there’s any consolation for the others, it’s that many of them have received additional viewings prior to being invited to camp. Jankowski said he was able to see both Virtanen and Klimchuk after they returned and Groulx, said he was able to see Morin play in his second game back from injury.“It always depends on how they react,” said Groulx. “When you look at Jake Virtanen I thought he had a good Subway series, he played well and he played with pace and so far he’s been good on the ice with us here.“(Morin) the report we have on him here is that he’s doing well and he seems to be in good shape here and in a good frame of mind, so so far it seems like everybody is feeling good about themselves and they feel confident and this is what we like to see.” Obviously getting shoulder surgery is a pretty big thing for prospect, and let alone for anyone. You have to give credit to the guy, he really has stepped up his game even after a few rusty games. He has given the Hitmen that extra scoring touch. Who knows where the Hitmen would have been without Virtanen's presence. The fact that he has done all this after recovering from major surgery is definitely quite a story. Hope for the best in the future and I hope he has a good world juniors. Amazing potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgyfan Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Nice find Who-b. Thx Looking forward to seeing Jake play in the WJC. Hope he plays well and stays healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 I agree with Jake his main weakness is doing the flyby when checking. Its nice to see that Virtanen knows his weakness and is trying to improve on it. If he can become a 2-way power forward with his size and speed we are looking at a gem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancaesar Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Like everyone else, I'm really looking forward to seeing Jake play. I'm hoping he'll somehow make the 2nd line, but more likely he'll play 3rd or 4th line RW. Whatever, I just hope Canada ends the drought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchoball Cannons Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Go Canada! Knock em dead Jake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanIsleNuckFan Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Oooo this goin be a fun Christmas, hot damn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaBamba Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 With all these players coming off injuries I think the team will be out of sync, choppy, and rusty. I say we get rolled Merry Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2SKATES1STICK Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 With all these players coming off injuries I think the team will be out of sync, choppy, and rusty. I say we get rolled Merry Christmas go back to russia you commie. this is canada! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Didn't view it as a significant injury since he led Canada in U18 scoring while supposedly playing hurt. Fired a pretty hard slapper into the back of the net with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SergioMomesso Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 With the North American ice. We may have a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Like everyone else, I'm really looking forward to seeing Jake play. I'm hoping he'll somehow make the 2nd line, but more likely he'll play 3rd or 4th line RW. Whatever, I just hope Canada ends the drought. I certainly hope to see Virtanen play with the Canadian world junior team, but is a he a lock to make the team? The comments here seem to suggest that he is, but I don't see it. At least 4 forwards need to be cut and maybe 5 or 6, especially if Horvat is made available by the Canucks. (Horvat is of course a lock if he is made available.) Is there any reason to be so confident Virtanen will be on the team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who-berdeau Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share Posted December 13, 2014 I certainly hope to see Virtanen play with the Canadian world junior team, but is a he a lock to make the team? The comments here seem to suggest that he is, but I don't see it. At least 4 forwards need to be cut and maybe 5 or 6, especially if Horvat is made available by the Canucks. (Horvat is of course a lock if he is made available.) Is there any reason to be so confident Virtanen will be on the team? Well. Virtanen has a lot to offer. -Accurate shot -Potentially the fastest skater in the tournament. -He's got a big frame, especially since head coach Groulx said he wanted big and skilled team. -He's so strong that players bounce off him when trying to hit him -He's got good attitude. -He's skilled, doesn't cough up the puck on every opportunity. And for those that think he has no passing ability, if you watched the Hitmen play this year, that stigma is nowhere near the truth. Virtanen is just as good as passing than good as shooting/skating. And he has all of this, for a just-turned 18 year old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Karlsson Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Well. Virtanen has a lot to offer. -Accurate shot -Potentially the fastest skater in the tournament. -He's got a big frame, especially since head coach Groulx said he wanted big and skilled team. -He's so strong that players bounce off him when trying to hit him -He's got good attitude. -He's skilled, doesn't cough up the puck on every opportunity. And for those that think he has no passing ability, if you watched the Hitmen play this year, that stigma is nowhere near the truth. Virtanen is just as good as passing than good as shooting/skating. And he has all of this, for a just-turned 18 year old. I think McDavid will be the fastest and I hope they end up on a line together. They would definitely be a handful for opposing teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who-berdeau Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share Posted December 13, 2014 I think McDavid will be the fastest and I hope they end up on a line together. They would definitely be a handful for opposing teams. Maybe. But anyways, I really hope they do. Virtanen can set up McDavid and put it back of the net. Vice versa too. One can dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 I certainly hope to see Virtanen play with the Canadian world junior team, but is a he a lock to make the team? The comments here seem to suggest that he is, but I don't see it. At least 4 forwards need to be cut and maybe 5 or 6, especially if Horvat is made available by the Canucks. (Horvat is of course a lock if he is made available.) Is there any reason to be so confident Virtanen will be on the team? Not many forwards invited shoot right. That alone means Virtanen is in. Then add speed, size and U18 performance. If he's not then we should shake our heads. It's time for Canada to play Canadian hockey again in the WJHC. Too many years we sent too many skilled midgets only for them to be hammered by bigger Russian teams. It's a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nino Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 I also don't see Horvat playing having ant impact in virtanen making the team as they play different positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Well. Virtanen has a lot to offer. -Accurate shot -Potentially the fastest skater in the tournament. -He's got a big frame, especially since head coach Groulx said he wanted big and skilled team. -He's so strong that players bounce off him when trying to hit him -He's got good attitude. -He's skilled, doesn't cough up the puck on every opportunity. And for those that think he has no passing ability, if you watched the Hitmen play this year, that stigma is nowhere near the truth. Virtanen is just as good as passing than good as shooting/skating. And he has all of this, for a just-turned 18 year old. Not many forwards invited shoot right. That alone means Virtanen is in. Then add speed, size and U18 performance. If he's not then we should shake our heads. It's time for Canada to play Canadian hockey again in the WJHC. Too many years we sent too many skilled midgets only for them to be hammered by bigger Russian teams. It's a joke. Thanks guys. I realize that Virtanen is an excellent prospect for a guy who just turned 18. The fact that he is young does not make him more likely to be chosen by Team Canada but I take the point that he fits the pattern that Groulx says that he wants -- a more traditional Canadian team with size, strength and toughness, along with strong basic skills -- good shot and good skating. Virtanen is strong on all those dimensions even if there are some smaller or softer high skill guys out there who are better playmakers and more creative offensively (and who have more points in Junior this year, even on a per game basis). I also take the point that being a right shot helps his chances. I also don't see Horvat playing having ant impact in virtanen making the team as they play different positions. As always the team will have more centers than its needs, especially if Horvat is available. This means that one or more centers will be shifted to the wing, and maybe even the off-wing. Chances are Virtanen will be competing with guys who normally play center for a RW position. So Horvat's avilability will matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Sestito Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Not many forwards invited shoot right. That alone means Virtanen is in. Then add speed, size and U18 performance. If he's not then we should shake our heads. It's time for Canada to play Canadian hockey again in the WJHC. Too many years we sent too many skilled midgets only for them to be hammered by bigger Russian teams. It's a joke. Haven't we been doing the complete opposite the last few years and losing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morrissex95 Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 I think Virtanen can make the Canucks next season.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarGirl Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Nice read on Virtanen. Hope he'll make the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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