One of the Columbus Blue Jackets top prospect didn’t make the cut for his national team.
As Boxing Day draws closer, rosters are beginning to be finalized for this year’s World Junior Championships. The Columbus Blue Jackets top pick from this summer’s entry draft will not be at the tournament in British Columbia though.
Liam Foudy was cut from Team Canada and sent back to London in a somewhat surprising move. The 18-year-old speedster will not be apart of the team representing Canada in Victoria and Vancouver this year. Foudy had an impressive preseason camp with the Jackets but is having just a so-so year in London in the OHL.
On a stacked Knights squad, Foudy has 25 points in 25 games. Foudy is still working on developing his skill game and defense to keep up with his blazing speed and elite athleticism. Team Canada doesn’t have the star power it has had in recent years but it is deep which made it tough for Foudy to crack the squad.
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It is disappointing, but not a major set back for Foudy. He will return to London and lead the Knights who will be without their top two defenseman, Evan Bouchard and Adam Boqvist, during the WJC.
There was another surprise in WJC roster composition for a Jackets prospect, this time a good surprise though. The Jackets second round pick from this year, Kirill Marchenko, will be on Team Russia for the tournament. Kirill is a highly skilled winger that has bounced between Russia’s version of the AHL and their major junior league this year. Russia usually doesn’t take a lot of 18-year-olds on their team which makes Kirill’s pick a bit surprising considering he is a young, 18-year-old.
Danill Tarasov will also be on Team Russia and should be the top goalie for one of the tournament favorites.
The Jackets 4th round pick form 2017, Emil Bemstrom, has had a breakout year in the Swedish Elite League and will be relied upon heavily on Team Sweden. Sweden has a loaded blue line but not much in terms of forwards. If the traditional power hopes to medal, Bemstrom will have to put on a show.
The Jackets don’t have a ton of prospects at the tournament but I expect both Bemstrom and Tarasov to be big names in the tournament. The action starts on December 26th.