As we near the end of the conference finals in the SHL, Canada today has unveiled their squad for the upcoming S51 IIHF tournament, featuring two changes from the squad that took home the bronze medal in S50. It is the first Canadian team announced since head GM Moe S. Knuckle took over, so Canadian fans will have hope this team can be one that scores even higher than bronze this time around.


CENTERS

Robert Phelps (@DrunkenTeddy ) : Phelps is continuing to show that he still isn't losing his touch with age, as this season he topped his 55 points from last season, coming 5th overall in league scoring with 23 goals and 60 points. As he aims to score his first cup with the Steelhawks this season as their captain, he will also be donning the 'C' for Canada once again as they seek gold.

Steven Moyer (@CanadianDuck ) : Moyer had another great season in S51 despite San Francisco's tumble from their President's trophy-winning season, as he scored 15 goals and 43 points for the Pride, once again playing a very prominent role in the team.

Matt Kholin  (@Kalakar ) : Some scrub kekw only got 29 points kekw making him assistant captain anyway kekw.

Aaron Wilson (@aaronwilson ) : Wilson followed up on a great breakout season in S50 with an elite S51, as his point production increased from 41 points to 57, which put him 9th in league scoring. Still on the younger end of forwards on the squad, the sky looks to be the limit for Wilson, already an elite player in the league.


WINGERS

Jeff Brogen (@Flowseidon ) : Brogen matched his S50 point total by notching 19 goals and assists for 38 points on the Pride's top line, and he will once again be playing a top role in the Canadian team.

Jack Kennedy (@JRed94 ) : Kennedy exploded onto the scene for Chicago this season after an underwhelming S50, putting up 25 goals and 48 points, good for top 20 in league scoring. His sharp and quick release will once again be an important asset for Canada in this tourney.

Dick Clapper (@5ympathies ) : Clapper did decently well despite another surprisingly disappointing season for New England, scoring 16 goals and 36 points on their second line despite playing just over 16 minutes a game. He should again be an important secondary scorer for Canada this tournament.

Sophia Bennett (@goilers ) : Bennett returns once again to the Canadian squad, this time wearing an 'A' for the team. Dealt during the off-season to Manhattan, she put up 20 goals and 38 points for the division-leading Rage, and will be an important member of the team, as she has been for a while now.

James Truong ( @James Truong ) : Truong, taking part in his third tournament for Canada, saw his offensive production marginally increase for Edmonton last season, as he put up 29 points for the President's Trophy runner-ups, and will be expected to play an important depth role in the squad.

Theo Morgan (@Otrebor13 ) : Morgan had a very solid S51, scoring 20 goals and 32 points as he grows in importance within the Panthers squad. Having made his IIHF tournament debut in S50, he will likely see a bigger role than last time this tournament.

Atlas Rush (@Rublic ) : Rush, another second-time IIHF participant, played his rookie season with Calgary this season, scoring 5 goals and 14 points in a depth role for the Dragons. Not shy to throw his weight around, Rush will be an important energy presence in the Canada bottom-six.


DEFENSEMEN

Gary Grease (@FlappyGiraffe ) : Grease returns to the team once again, having put up 37 points for a Winnipeg team that snuck into a wild card spot in the West. As always, he will be playing a key defensive role for Canada, as he has done for a while now.

Thomas Bathory (@vbottas17 ) : Bathory regressed a little bit scoring-wise, putting up 14 points on a Los Angeles team that stunned President's winners New Orleans in the playoffs, but he will nonetheless play a middling role in the Canadian defence, as he has for many seasons now despite his young age.

Oliver Cleary (@Buster ) : Cleary improved a lot for the Panthers this season, putting up 26 points playing a bigger role in the team, and more importantly taking home the Turd Ferguson award for most penalty minutes in the league with 130 PIM. Establishing himself as not to be messed with, we will see if Cleary can take his grit and good form into this tourney.

Lyle Odelein III (@Huck24 ) : Odelein got 14 points for a dominant New Orleans team this season, as he nears the point where he'll be relied on to play a major role for the Specters, but he will play solid minutes for Canada, as he is now in his third tournament with the team.

Gabriel Johnson (@Gwdjohnson ) : Johnson followed up on a very strong rookie campaign in S50 by putting up 33 points for Hamilton this season, as he continues to improve season by season. Him, along with the other S48 dmen in the squad, should continue to impress in this tourney.

Maxime Bouchard ( @Weretarantula ) : Bouchard is one of two Canadian wingers this season who will be playing on defence in this tourney as part of a new strategic approach to Canada this tournament. Bouchard got 36 points for Calgary this season, and it will be interesting to see how he produces on the blueline.

Commander Shepard (@LarksTongue ) : Shepard is the other winger who will play on the back end for Canada this tournament, and in his case it isn't the first time he does so, having also filled in as a blueliner in the S49 tournament, Knuckle's first tournament as part of Canada's staff. Shepard had a solid season, coming second on the Jets in scoring with 40 points.


GOALIES

Ian Venables (@toirekari / ) : As Canada finally hits the era without Walter Hobbs being around anymore, they turn to young Ian Venables for this tourney to be the out-and-out starter despite not having any SHL gametime yet. 'Budgie' was one of the better goalies in the SMJHL last season, posting a 25-9-5 record, .903 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average and 3 shutouts for Anchorage. All eyes will be on Venables to see if he can live up to expectations so soon, or if he needs more time.


IIHF ROOKIES

Bo Kane (@NONAME / ) : Kane, after a very solid juniors career for the Colorado Raptors, gets the call to the San Francisco squad next season, as well as to the Canada squad for this tournament, with a very highly-anticipated international career ahead of him. Last season he had 19 goals and 44 points for the Raptors, but for this tournament will likely only have a depth role to play.

Elle Rush (@SlothFaceThrilla ) : With Hobbs retiring, a backup to Venables was needed for this tourney, and the call was given to Steelhawks and Detroit Falcons prospect Rush. Rush has a 16-11-3 record for the second-last placed Falcons, along with a .882 save percentage and 3.10 goals against average. She will likely also be linking up as a goalie tandem with Venables in the coming World Juniors.