Canada vs. Russia CHL Series 2019 - Kitchener Memorial Auditorium - November 7, 2019
The Canadian Hockey League, in association with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Western Hockey League, and in collaboration with Hockey Canada, have announced the rosters for the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
70 CHL players will compete among the three regional league teams while auditioning for a role on Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. Team QMJHL, OHL, and WHL will each play twice against the Russian National Junior Team November 4-14 with games scheduled in Saint John, Moncton, Kitchener, London, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert.
The rosters collectively feature 36 players who attended Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase with additional talent identified by regional league selection committees who worked in consultation with Hockey Canada Head Scout Brad McEwen and Program of Excellence National Junior Team Manager Mark Hunter.
A total of 51 players competing in November carry NHL affiliations including 16 first round picks. Those players include 2019 selections Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades (3rd, Chicago Blackhawks), Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants (4th, Colorado Avalanche), Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes (7th, Buffalo Sabres), Peyton Krebs of the Winnipeg ICE (17th, Vegas Golden Knights), Thomas Harley of the Mississauga Steelheads (18th, Dallas Stars), Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix (21st, Pittsburgh Penguins), Philip Tomasino of the Niagara IceDogs (24th, Nashville Predators), Connor McMichael of the London Knights (25th, Washington Capitals), Jakob Pelletier of the Moncton Wildcats (26th, Calgary Flames), Nolan Foote of the Kelowna Rockets (27th, Tampa Bay Lightning), Ryan Suzuki of the Barrie Colts (28th, Carolina Hurricanes), and Brayden Tracey of the Moose Jaw Warriors (29th, Anaheim Ducks). First round picks from 2018 include Ty Dellandrea of the Flint Firebirds (13th, Dallas Stars), Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs (17th, New Jersey Devils), plus Knights Liam Foudy (18th, Columbus Blue Jackets) and Ryan Merkley (21st, San Jose Sharks).
Rosters also feature eight players recently listed as first round candidates for the 2020 NHL Draft by NHL Central Scouting including Justin Barron of the Halifax Mooseheads, Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves, Jamie Drysdale of the Erie Otters, Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic, Hendrix Lapierre of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, Cole Perfetti of the Saginaw Spirit, Jeremie Poirier of the Saint John Sea Dogs, and Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings.
32 players will be competing in the event for a second straight season and from that group three players including Mooseheads forward Benoit-Olivier Groulx and defenceman Kevin Bahl of the Ottawa 67’s are competing a third straight season. Jared McIsaac of the Mooseheads also competed in 2017 and 2018 events and is listed on the QMJHL roster but will be unable to participate this season due to injury.
43 CHL teams are represented on 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series rosters led by five Mooseheads, four Knights, along with three players from each of the Rockets, 67’s, Wildcats, and Drakkar.
Since the event first began in 2003, CHL teams have won the series 12 times playing to an overall record of 63-25-2-6. Heading into 2019 competition, Team QMJHL carries an overall record of 17-11-1-3, Team OHL is 25-6-0-1, and Team WHL holds a 21-8-1-2 record.
