Two northern players aim to make an impact at World Juniors tourney
Two northern Ontario players in the Ontario Hockey League won’t be home this Christmas – and they couldn’t be more excited.
Ben Gaudreau, who hails from Corbeil, and Sault Ste. Marie’s Jack Matier are in Moncton preparing for the World Junior Hockey Championship, begins Boxing Day on TSN.
Matier said it’s an honour to have the chance to represent his country at such a showcase tournament.
“It's a special time for me, growing up as a Canadian kid, everyone wants to play at the world juniors,” he said.
“It's been a goal of mine all year, and I'm proud I accomplished it.”
The Ottawa 67’s defenceman said the key to making the team came down to knowing his role and brining a physical element on the ice.
“I've always been a bigger kid, so just growing into my body and using it as a tool, just to play physical and box guys out and stuff like that,” Matier said
For Team Canada coach Dennis Williams, Matier brings a lot to the team.
“He plays inside the dots, has range, reach ... he knows exactly who he is and what he can bring,” said Williams.
“Obviously, we're not asking him to run a power play or lug pucks up the ice. It's about complementing somebody else on the back end.”
Matier is having a banner season with the 67's with 26 points in 26 games, and will now get the chance to protect another northern pickup on the team in goalie Gaudreau.
“Since I was a kid, I dreamed of playing for this team, so being named to the team is something special that I'll never forget for sure,” said Gaudreau.
He wasn’t sure if he made the team prior to getting the official word from management. But team officials liked his play in the under 18-World Championship where he led Canada to a gold medal.
“I think I just dialed it in, something I have to bring back to here,” he said.
“It’s been a little bit of a rough year in Sarnia, but I'll try to bounce back from that and get some confidence here which I think has already started.”
Canada plays Czechia Monday in the team’s first game.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Robertson's hat-trick drives Stars to Game 3 win over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.