In just a couple of weeks, December 26 to be exact, the World Junior Hockey championships will begin. This showcase of the top junior players from around the world will be in the Czech Republic this year. If you're a hockey fan, this is a great tournament to watch. It has top talent, with a high number of participating players that are already NHL draft picks and the games between the top teams are typically high energy, high intensity and great entertainment. Since the players are still playing junior (with the occasional junior age NHLer playing in the tournament if they get permission from their NHL team) they are still young and hungry, and have not yet been jaded by the glory, fame and money of pro sports.
Team Canada's final roster was just announced, with a couple of surprise cuts. Pittsburgh Penguin 1st round pick (20th overall) Angelo Espisito was a late forwrd cut and Calgary Flames first round draft pick Leland Irving was the last goalie cut. Both were expected to make the Canadian squad.
