The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Halifax, Nova Scotia have long since had
ties to one another, dating back to when J.S. Giguere and Marc Chouinard
played for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. This winter, that bond will
be strengthened as some of the Ducks top prospects will be playing in the
Halifax Metro Centre for the World Junior Championships.
Team Canada
Team Canada is relying on forward Joffrey Lupul to be one of the
leaders on offence for the team. The Ducks first round pick in 2002
currently has 28 points in 20 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the
Western Hockey League. Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau re-ignited his
chemistry with Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard at camp and won a
roster spot. Parenteau and Bouchard played with one another, last season in
the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. This
season, Parenteau is tied for the scoring lead in the Q (with another
Anaheim prospect, Joel Perreault) with 55 points.
Team Russia
The defending World Junior Champions are looking for returning blueliner
Vladimir Korsunov to help lead them to a repeat. The gritty defensive
defenseman has 5 points in 19 games for Spartak Moscow in Russia’s Super
League. Team Russia wishes that Anaheim forward Stanislav Chistov
could of been released to provide a boost to the scoring. The dimunitive
Russian is eligible to play, but will remain with the Ducks during the
tournament.
Team Slovakia
Slovakia’s hope rest with Igor Pohanka. The speedy scorer was
acquired from New Jersey in the off-season as part of the trade that also
landed Petr Sykora, Mike Commodore and J-F Damphousse. He currently has 36
points in 28 games for the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey
League.
If representation at the World Juniors Championships is any indication, the
Ducks future looks to be very bright, with many players ready to make their
mark, playing for their country.
|
|
