The 2016 CIBC Canada-Russia Series rosters for the OHL were announced on Tuesday as Team Canada prepares for the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championships.
The series features six games between CHL players and the Russian National Junior Team, including two games to be played in OHL cities. North Bay hosts Game 3 of the series on November 10 while Hamilton hosts Game 4 on November 14. Games 1 and 2 will be hosted by the WHL, while Games 5 and 6 are hosted by the QMJHL.
Since the series started, it has been a vital part of the selection process for CHL players involved with the World Junior Hockey Championships. This year, eight players are participating that were invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase held in early August in Plymouth, MI.
Offensively Dynamic Rosters
As there are two games between the OHL and Team Russia, there are two rosters, with some players involved in both games. The rosters are as follows:
Team OHL – North Bay – November 10
* Indicates player is on both rosters
Goaltenders:
Evan Cormier (Saginaw – NJ prospect) *
Dylan Wells (Peterborough – Edmonton prospect)
Defence:
Kyle Capobianco (Sudbury – Arizona prospect)
Nicolas Hague (Mississauga) *
Matt Spencer (Peterborough – TB prospect)
Logan Stanley (Windsor – Winnipeg prospect)
Mitchell Vande Sompel (Oshawa – NYI prospect)
Forwards:
Will Bitten (Hamilton – Montreal prospect) *
Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa – TB prospect)
Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia – STL prospect) *
Adam Mascherin (Kitchener – Florida prospect) *
Brett McKenzie (North Bay – Vancouver prospect) *
Michael McLeod (Mississauga – NJ prospect)*
Zachary Senyshyn (SSM – Boston prospect)*
Givani Smith (Guelph – Detroit prospect)*
Blake Speers (SSM- NJ prospect)*
Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw – TB prospect)*
Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor)
Coaches:
Head Coach: Kris Knoblauch (Erie)
Assistant Coach: Stan Butler (North Bay)
Athletic Therapist/Equipment Manager: James Borrelli (North Bay)
Assistant Equipment Manager: Daryl Ashenden (North Bay)
Team OHL – Hamilton – November 14
*indicates player on both rosters
Goaltenders:
Evan Cormier (Saginaw – NJ prospect)*
Michael McNiven (Owen Sound)
Defencemen:
Jacob Friend (Owen Sound – LA prospect)
Nicolas Hague (Mississauga)*
Garrett McFadden (Guelph)
Victor Mete (London – Montreal prospect)
Markus Phillips (Owen Sound)
Forwards:
Will Bitten (Hamilton – Montreal prospect)*
Graham Knott (Niagara – Chicago prospect)
Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia – STL prospect) *
Adam Mascherin (Kitchener – Florida prospect) *
Brett McKenzie (North Bay – Vancouver prospect) *
Michael McLeod (Mississauga – NJ prospect – pictured right)*
Zachary Senyshyn (SSM – Boston prospect)*
Givani Smith (Guelph – Detroit prospect)*
Blake Speers (SSM – NJ prospect)*
Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw – TB prospect)*
Taylor Raddysh (Erie – TB prospect)
Coaches:
Head Coach: Dominique Ducharme (Drummondville)
Assistant Coach: Kris Knoblauch (Erie)
Athletic Therapist: JP Laciak (Hamilton)
Equipment Manager: Kasey LaMorre (Hamilton)
The roster was put together by a selection committee that included Owen Sound general manager Dale DeGray, who is involved with Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence Management Group, and Guelph general manager Mike Kelly. They worked together with Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada Director of Player Personnel.
Canada and Russia Play for Keeps
During the first seven years, the CHL dominated the Russians with a 38-4 record. Since 2010, however, the Russians have been impressive, splitting the series at 18-18. The only year since 2010 where the CHL won the series was 2015 when they went 5-1. The OHL itself is 22-4 after last year’s wins in Owen Sound and Windsor. Make no mistake, though, this isn’t a game of shinny or all-star, defenseless hockey. These players are out to show they belong on their World Juniors roster.
Here’s a highlight video of the 2009 Super Series Game 4 held in Windsor, ON in November 2009:
The series starts with two games in the WHL November 7 and 8 and finishes up in the QMHJL with two games on November 15 and 17. Ticket information can be found here.