Hadoop
Registered User
Remember when Canada named their WJHC team in December, the roster was praised/criticised for its abundence of players from the WHL and its lack of representation from the Q (and the Maritimes)?
Upon looking at this years WHC team, it appears as though the uneven representation of the World Juniors isn't fluke at all, but perhaps more of a trend. Consider the following:
1) Western Canada represents about 1/3 of Canada (about 9.5 million Western Canadians to 32 millon Canadians, to be more precise). Yet half of the roster (10/22 players, but 11 if you count Heatley, who was raised in Calgary) is from the West. In particular 5 of the 7 D-men are WHL grads, and with an average height of 6'3 and weight of 219 lbs, the blueliners from the west are a BIG and physical bunch. With the further development of dominent D-men from the junior ranks (i.e. WJC grads), the West appears to have a monopoly on defense for years to come.
(aside: Why is not that all the (big, fast and physical) D-men come from the West? How come there's so few from Ontario and the East?)
2) Quebec and the Maritimes also represent about 1/3 of Canada (about 10 million people to be more precise, which is actually more people than the West). Yet there are no Easterners and only 3 Quebecers on the roster. In particular only 1 (!) of the 19 skaters on the team is a QMJHL grad. Now I know Richards, Lemieux, Lecavalier, St. Louis, etc... all declined invitations, but even so the lack of non-goalies in Quebec and the Maritimes is notable. Furthermore the Q hasn't had a good D-man since.... forever. The last great defenseman born east of Ontario is Al MacInnis, and he is actually an OHL grad. While Ray Bourque also comes to mind he played in the Q over 25 years ago.
(aside: Why is it that aside from a few stand-outs like Crosby and Lecavalier, the Q seems to produce less skaters than the other regions? Is it 'cause everyone in Quebec wants to be a goalie?)
If the WHC roster is any indication, the anamoly of very uneven representation we saw in the WJHC may not be an anomaly after all.
Upon looking at this years WHC team, it appears as though the uneven representation of the World Juniors isn't fluke at all, but perhaps more of a trend. Consider the following:
1) Western Canada represents about 1/3 of Canada (about 9.5 million Western Canadians to 32 millon Canadians, to be more precise). Yet half of the roster (10/22 players, but 11 if you count Heatley, who was raised in Calgary) is from the West. In particular 5 of the 7 D-men are WHL grads, and with an average height of 6'3 and weight of 219 lbs, the blueliners from the west are a BIG and physical bunch. With the further development of dominent D-men from the junior ranks (i.e. WJC grads), the West appears to have a monopoly on defense for years to come.
(aside: Why is not that all the (big, fast and physical) D-men come from the West? How come there's so few from Ontario and the East?)
2) Quebec and the Maritimes also represent about 1/3 of Canada (about 10 million people to be more precise, which is actually more people than the West). Yet there are no Easterners and only 3 Quebecers on the roster. In particular only 1 (!) of the 19 skaters on the team is a QMJHL grad. Now I know Richards, Lemieux, Lecavalier, St. Louis, etc... all declined invitations, but even so the lack of non-goalies in Quebec and the Maritimes is notable. Furthermore the Q hasn't had a good D-man since.... forever. The last great defenseman born east of Ontario is Al MacInnis, and he is actually an OHL grad. While Ray Bourque also comes to mind he played in the Q over 25 years ago.
(aside: Why is it that aside from a few stand-outs like Crosby and Lecavalier, the Q seems to produce less skaters than the other regions? Is it 'cause everyone in Quebec wants to be a goalie?)
If the WHC roster is any indication, the anamoly of very uneven representation we saw in the WJHC may not be an anomaly after all.
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