How do U Sports athletes compare to World Junior hopefuls?

Since 2015, Team Canada hopefuls have played on the U Sports all-star team in preparation for the World Junior final roster cuts. The U Sports all-star team is comprised of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) selects, as they prepare for the FISU games in January.

The games between U Sports and Team Canada don’t typically go as one might expect. While Team Canada prospects are some of the best at that age, and high draft picks, U Sports usually does very well. Keep in mind though, that most U Sports players are between 21 to 25, while the youngest Team Canada prospect, Gavin McKenna, is only 16.

Early thoughts on the two-game series on December 12 and 13

Starting goaltenders were Carson Bjarnason for Team Canada and Jack Ivankovic for U Sports. Ivankovic interestingly does not play for a university team, but is instead a training camp select for Team Canada. U Sports backup goalie Scott Ratzlaff also plays for Team Canada and subbed in halfway through the second.

The game started with solid offensive pressure by U Sports but weak scoring opportunities by both teams. That tone carried on for most of the first until Mathieu Gagnon opened the scoring for U Sports. His goal was followed by Team Canada veteran, Carson Rehkopf, with a minute left in the first.

Connor Frenette scored the only goal in the second for U Sports and did an excellent job at blocking shots throughout the second period. Notable players such as Liam Keeler, Sasha Mutala, and Nolan Hutcheson kept the momentum going for U Sports.

U Sports dropped the ball on an otherwise promising game after they gave up a 2-1 lead, letting in three back-to-back goals. Though, this does also fall on Ratzaff, the goalie in net for U Sports.

For evaluation purposes, both teams played a five minute three-on-three overtime which saw one goal each. This was followed by a five player shootout, resulting in one goal for team Canada.

A much closer second game highlights U Sports’ offensive zone dominance

Like in game one, Team Canada’s goalies were in net for U Sports. Carter George started for the first half, then subbed out with Bjarnson in the second.

Despite taking no penalties, Team Canada took to the ice shorthanded and maintained a strong diamond formation in the neutral zone. It was pretty embarrassing for U Sports as they gave away opportunities on the penalty kill.

Brayden Yager scored the only goal in two periods late in the first, despite multiple scoring opportunities by both teams. U Sports and Team Canada switched for offensive zone control and the static second was a result of exceptional goaltending by all four goalies.

With a minute left in a four-minute power play, Kale McCallum tied the game for U Sports in the first real penalty in five periods. The power play goals continued when Matthew Wood scored the game winning goal for Team Canada on the odd man advantage.

U Sports vs Team Canada final thoughts

What makes this prospect game so insightful is that it showcases how Team Canada brings the skills, while U Sports brings the experience. You’re not going to see flashy plays, hat tricks, or insane stick handling from U Sports like you would Team Canada. Instead, what you will see is aggressive puck position, offensive zone pressure, and simple but effective plays.

U Sports players have had up to five more years to develop in what is largely considered an underrated league, and you can tell by the physical size of the team. This is pretty useful as every team, even in the pros, needs the solid, reliable, fourth line player who knows how to play a smart game, not a flashy one. That’s where U Sports athletes come in.

We saw this style of play from Keeler, Hutcheson, and Mutala who were skilled at moving the puck within the offensive zone. As well, we see this style of play at home, when U Sports teams play each other.

An unfortunate part of the two game series, is that we got no look at the FISU select goalies. Sam Richard is the starting goalie for the FISU games and currently has a 1.50 goals against average. As he’s only lost two of the 16 games he’s played, he’s probably in pretty good shape.