Thursday, December 19th

One week countdown to the 2014 World Junior Championships begins today and I am coming at you guys with a quick twitter-focused update so let’s get right to it….

Perfect choices for Canada….

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Not surprising, <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Flyers&src=hash”>#Flyers</a> prospect Scott Laughton named Team Canada Captain with Drouin (<a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Lightning&src=hash”>#Lightning</a>) & Dumba (<a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Wild&src=hash”>#Wild</a>) as alternates. <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%232014WJC&src=hash”>#2014WJC</a></p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/413682248517296129″>December 19, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Canada’s leadership group: Laughton, Dumba, Drouin <a href=”http://t.co/Ds5JDsnrOA”>pic.twitter.com/Ds5JDsnrOA</a></p>— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) <a href=”https://twitter.com/markhmasters/statuses/413681312944631809″>December 19, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Tough loss for Team Sweden but with their jacked up roster of returnees they should be fine….

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Via <a href=”https://twitter.com/UffeBodin”>@UffeBodin</a> Buffalo Sabres prospect Gustav Possler is injured & has had to leave Sweden’s camp. <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WJC2014&src=hash”>#WJC2014</a></p>— Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) <a href=”https://twitter.com/sunayas/statuses/413371514411429888″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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We all know of Connor Carrick but there’s another “Carrick” that is tearing up the OHL and Trevor is the brother of Sam (Leafs prospect), Jake and Josh. Carolina has been finding some hidden gems on the blue line lately ….

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Congrats to Stouffville native, and <a href=”https://twitter.com/bodyrandy”>@bodyrandy</a> gym dog Trevor Carrick of the <a href=”https://twitter.com/OHLSteelheads”>@OHLSteelheads</a> for signing his ELC with the <a href=”https://twitter.com/NHLCanes”>@NHLCanes</a>.</p>— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) <a href=”https://twitter.com/JeffMarek/statuses/413414349072388096″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Despite leading the OHL Defensive scoring race by 16 points (as a 2014 NHL draft eligible skater), Tony DeAngelo got his walking papers from Team USA’s WJC Camp…

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Team USA has cut <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OHL&src=hash”>#OHL</a> defenceman scoring leader Anthony DeAngelo from World Junior team.</p>— Loosepucks.com (@loosepucks) <a href=”https://twitter.com/loosepucks/statuses/413363545175109632″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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There has been plenty of speculation on whether Sarnia will deal their free wheeling defenseman (DeAngelo) to fast track their rebuild but I credit DeAngelo for setting people straight on twitter…

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>To everyone asking me about being traded..I do NOT want to be moved from sarnia this yr n I plan on being there my whole OHL career <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sting&src=hash”>#sting</a></p>— Tony DeAngelo (@TonyDee07) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TonyDee07/statuses/413703588276633600″>December 19, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Others who were cut from Team USA include…

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>USA Hockey cuts <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%232014NHLDraft&src=hash”>#2014NHLDraft</a> defenseman Tony DeAngelo (<a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Sting&src=hash”>#Sting</a>), <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Sabres&src=hash”>#Sabres</a> prospect JT Compher & <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bruins&src=hash”>#Bruins</a> Ryan Fitzgerald from <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%232014WJC&src=hash”>#2014WJC</a> camp</p>— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) <a href=”https://twitter.com/RossyYoungblood/statuses/413416271825625088″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I really wanted Toronto to release Morgan Rielly for the World Juniors but I can understand their decision not too as he’s been one of their best defensemen in recent games…but, he better not see any press box time over the duration of the holidays…Grrrrr

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Maple Leafs say no to releasing Morgan Rielly for the World Juniors: <a href=”http://t.co/cGqzbriRrJ”>http://t.co/cGqzbriRrJ</a> … <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WJC2014&src=hash”>#WJC2014</a></p>— Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) <a href=”https://twitter.com/sunayas/statuses/413358022992207872″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Pretty remarkable what Martin Jones is achieving in his young Kings career. Sure, LA plays a pretty stingy defensive style but damn, he’s been great!

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Martin Jones is for real. 6-0-0. 3 shutouts. 0.82 GAA. .972 SV%. Not bad. <a href=”http://t.co/slpMG1GLxa”>pic.twitter.com/slpMG1GLxa</a></p>— NHL (@NHL) <a href=”https://twitter.com/NHL/statuses/413307878129557505″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Earlier in the week, I dealt Mikko Koivu from my keeper league in order to free up a spot to potentially keep this kid (I’m a huge fan)…

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>VIDEO: Kucherov scores with one hand in the shootout: Kucherov scores with one hand in the… <a href=”http://t.co/6OAWxshsyg”>http://t.co/6OAWxshsyg</a> via <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NHL&src=hash”>#NHL</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TBLightning&src=hash”>#TBLightning</a></p>— TB Lightning Feed (@TBLightningFeed) <a href=”https://twitter.com/TBLightningFeed/statuses/413145801074806785″>December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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You can’t make up this great storyline. Ottawa native Cody Ceci, drafted by his hometown Senators, scores his first career NHL goal in OT…in his hometown.The 2012 1st rounder hasn’t looked out of place either…

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>.<a href=”https://twitter.com/Cecer_83″>@Cecer_83</a> is also the fifth NHL defenseman since 2009-10 to score his first career goal past reg. and the first to do so in his hometown.</p>— NHL (@NHL) <a href=”https://twitter.com/NHL/statuses/412985773785612289″>December 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Per <a href=”https://twitter.com/EliasSports”>@EliasSports</a>, <a href=”https://twitter.com/Cecer_83″>@Cecer_83</a> is the first defenseman in <a href=”https://twitter.com/Senators”>@Senators</a> history to score his first career goal in <a href=”https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NHLOT&src=hash”>#NHLOT</a>. <a href=”http://t.co/nV6HIKnXc6″>pic.twitter.com/nV6HIKnXc6</a></p>— NHL (@NHL) <a href=”https://twitter.com/NHL/statuses/412983686507008000″>December 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>All 3 Cody Ceci goals this yr have been OT winners (October 5 vs Syracuse, November 9th @ Rochester and tonight vs STL). Congrats <a href=”https://twitter.com/Cecer_83″>@Cecer_83</a></p>— Grady Whittenburg (@BSensRadio) <a href=”https://twitter.com/BSensRadio/statuses/412785280542728192″>December 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Another defensive prospect to watch – Connor Murphy out of Pheonix (1st round pick). He’s lining up next to Keith Yandle and looks very comfortable. I loved Murphy’s upside when he was playing for the Sarnia Sting and his ability to stay healthy is the only concerning part of his game for me….

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Twitter Takeover: Connor Murphy – Phoenix Coyotes – Features <a href=”http://t.co/pCAQrY5Qhg”>http://t.co/pCAQrY5Qhg</a> via <a href=”https://twitter.com/phoenixcoyotes”>@phoenixcoyotes</a></p>— Alan Henry (@AlanHenry20) <a href=”https://twitter.com/AlanHenry20/statuses/412901449488560129″>December 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Already a given but don’t expect Drouin to play in any WJC exhibition games (which start tomorrow)…

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” lang=”en”><p>Drouin won’t play tomorrow v Finns; team easing him back in; Sutter wouldn’t say who other two scratches will be</p>— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) <a href=”https://twitter.com/markhmasters/statuses/413687570204069888″>December 19, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Caps prospect Tom Wilson has always played on the edge but did he cross the line here with his hit on Brayden Schenn? How many games?

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Thanks for reading and I will be back with more…

Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood)