By MIKE BEASLEY
Situated halfway between Toronto and Hamilton is the City of Oakville. Sitting on the Northern bank of Lake Ontario, Oakville for years has been recognized for it’s affluent residents, huge waterfront house estates and the Ford Motor plant.
But lately it’s been the quality and quantity of junior hockey players that call Oakville home that have caused people to stand up and take notice.
If hockey fans in Ontario or the rest of Canada haven’t heard of Steve Mason, John Tavares, Sam Gagner and Stefan Legein, they will get a chance as they face off against a team of Russia’s best junior aged players in the Super Series.
All Oakville-natives, the four Ontario Hockey League players were part of a list of 25 elite Canadian Hockey League skaters that will compete in the unique series.
Fellow OHLers include D Josh Godfrey, Kingston, Ontario (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), D Drew Doughty, London, Ontario (Guelph Storm) and F Cory Emmerton, St. Thomas, Ontario (Kingston Frontenacs).
The junior hockey series will mark the 35th anniversary of the historic eight-game Canada-Russia showdown that was staged back in 1972. Thirty-five years ago, it was some of Canada’s best professional players squaring off against a team of unknowns from the Soviet Union.
Everybody who is old enough remembers what happened during those four weeks in September, 1972. Most can tell you exactly where they where and what they were doing when Paul Henderson sent Canada into hysterics with his dramatic goal to win the series.
But this time, it will be different. Never before have junior hockey’s two biggest rivals faced each other in a multi-game series. Canada and Russia have met each other on many occasions over the years at the World Junior Championships, with the Canadians winning the majority of the contests.
This time around, the first four games will be played in Russia with the final four scheduled for Canada, a complete reversal of 1972.
There’s lot of firepower on Team Canada. For example, five of the seven OHL players on Canada’s roster have already been selected by NHL teams, with the exception of Doughty and Tavares.
Doughty, 17, is a smooth skating defenseman with Guelph, eligible to be selected in 2008 when the draft is held in Ottawa. Doughty finished second in scoring among OHL defensemen last season with 21-53-74 points. Most NHL scouts predict that Doughty is a lock to be an early first round pick next June.
Tavares is only 16-years-old and two years away from his draft day. The young phenom scored 72 goals last season, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing thirty-year-old record when he scored 70 as a 16-year-old in 1978 while playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Even so, Tavares may have to wait around until 2009 before he hears his name called by an NHL team. There has been some discussion that he may contest the age restraints of the draft and attempt to be deemed eligible for 2008, as well.
The rest of the OHL content is filled with premium NHL picks – every one either a first, second or third round selection. There is definitely no lack of talent in the Canadian line-up from the Province of Ontario.
Starting in net, Mason, 19, is a 2006 third round selection (69th overall) of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mason was named the OHL Goalie of the Year in 2006/07, posting an impressive 45-13-1-3 record, 3.20 GAA and .914 Save Percentage. Mason’s 45 wins set a new record among OHL goalies.
On the blueline, Josh Godfrey possesses a great shot and will most certainly lead the Canadian powerplay from his position on the point. Godfrey was a 2007 second round (34th overall) pick of the Washington Capitals. In 68 games in the Soo last year, Godfrey picked up 24-33-57 points on his way to a breakout season in the OHL.
Up front, Sam Gagner is back for another run at the World Junior Championships after a Gold medal performance with the National Junior team in Sweden. Gagner had a great rookie season in the OHL last year finishing second to London teammate Patrick Kane in rookie scoring with 35-83-118 points. The talented forward was the Edmonton Oilers first pick (6th overall) at last June’s Entry Draft.
Stefan Legein came out of nowhere last season to impress the decision makers with Hockey Canada, making him part of the Canadian roster. After two lacklustre OHL season Legein put up some great numbers last season in Mississauga scoring 43-32-75 points. The Columbus Blue Jackets selected the speedy winger in the second round (37th overall) at the 2007 Draft.
Rounding out the list of OHL players on Team Canada is C Cory Emmerton. The Kingston Frontenacs centre is a 2006 second round (41st overall) pick of the Detroit Red Wings. Emmerton still managed to score 29-37-66 points with the Frontenacs last season despite missing 28 games with a leg injury.
Unfortunately, fans in Eastern Canada will not be able to attend any of the games live. All four Canadian dates are scheduled for the Western part of the country.
As for Ontario, the seven OHL players will certainly represent their country with pride and passion.
And for the kids from Oakville, they will make you remember their names and where they’re from.
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