Team Canada held a media day at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont. on Monday. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Harrison Brunicke is getting plenty of questions from his new Canada teammates about his experience in the NHL this season. There\u2019s one topic, in particular, that keeps coming up. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of guys are just asking about Sid, honestly,\u201d the 19-year-old from Calgary said with a laugh. <\/p>\n
Like so many kids, Brunicke grew up idolizing Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s every young Canadian\u2019s dream to play with him, play against him, getting to meet him, whatever it is,\u201d Brunicke said. \u201cSo, yeah, a couple stories about Sid for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s his favourite? <\/p>\n
\u201cHe bought me and [fellow rookie Ben] Kindel a travel bag,\u201d Brunicke said. \u201cI just thought that shows his character and his leadership. I think everyone knows what a great guy he is, but just getting that text, \u2018Hey, I got you a bag,\u2019 is pretty cool to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes, Brunicke brought the bag Crosby bought him to the World Juniors. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just such a great leader, such a great guy,\u201d said Brunicke, who suited up in nine games with the Penguins this season and scored his first career NHL goal. \u201cI look forward to seeing him every day, working with him, learning different things from his game, his pre-game routines, whatever it is. So, yeah, I can\u2019t speak better things about him.<\/p>\n
Brunicke admits the initial meeting with No. 87 was a bit halting. <\/p>\n
\u201cA little nervous,\u201d Brunicke said. \u201cI think I was, like, slurring my words a little bit too. Couldn\u2019t really keep it together. But getting more comfortable as the days go on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosby won gold with Canada at the 2005 World Juniors, but Brunicke doesn\u2019t plan on reaching out for advice while he\u2019s playing in Minnesota this year. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019m going to shoot him a text,\u201d Brunicke said with a grin. \u201cMaybe he reaches out, but I don\u2019t know, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crosby did have a brief parting message.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just said, \u2018Good luck,\u2019 when I was leaving,\u201d Brunicke noted. <\/p>\n
Brunicke’s new Canada teammates are very curious about Crosby Defenceman Harrison Brunicke can consider himself lucky that he gets to learn the ropes in the National Hockey League alongside Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh. The Penguins captain is clearly the main topic when Brunicke shares stories about his NHL experience with his Team Canada teammates. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
When Flames defenceman Zayne Parekh left for Canada\u2019s camp the message was a little different from proud Swede Rasmus Andersson. <\/p>\n
\u201cRas was chirping me and hoping we\u2019d finish second, but I told him that wasn\u2019t going to happen,\u201d Parekh said with a grin. <\/p>\n
Parekh is also fielding questions about his NHL experience at Canada\u2019s camp, but is actually trying to avoid the topic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI try not to talk about it a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cI just want to fit in and not seem like, you know, I\u2019m better than anyone. But if they\u2019re going to ask me questions, obviously I\u2019m happy to answer, but it\u2019s not something I\u2019m bringing up.\u201d<\/p>\n
After an 11-game run with the Flames this season, Parekh is focused on making a smooth transition back to the junior level. It\u2019s not as straightforward as it may seem. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think it would be this big, but there\u2019s a big gap \u2026 That just shows how good of a league the NHL is. Obviously, the pace is down and it\u2019s not as, I don\u2019t know what the right word is, but maybe \u2018structured\u2019 as NHL practices might be. Everyone\u2019s always in the right spots [in the NHL] and, at the end of the day, we\u2019re kids and we\u2019re still learning and still figuring things out. Maybe that\u2019s been the biggest thing for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnergy\u2019s high,\u201d said Brunicke. \u201cWe just can be a bit more connected and stuff like that, but I\u2019m looking to take what I\u2019ve learned and translate and help guys here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pressure is on the two NHL defencemen to lead the way for Canada at the World Juniors. <\/p>\n
Parekh\u2019s been skating on Canada\u2019s top pair and is quarterbacking the top power-play unit. <\/p>\n
\u201cI got really high expectations for myself,\u201d the 19-year-old from Nobleton, Ont. said. \u201cI expect to help this team win a gold and be a big part of it. I\u2019m really looking forward to that. We\u2019re coming off two fifth-place finishes as a country and you never want that. I think a gold would be a great way to lead into Olympics for Team Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brunicke has been skating on the second pair beside Kashawn Aitcheson. <\/p>\n
Flames’ Parekh on ‘crazy’ adjustment back to juniors: ‘There’s a big gap’ Flames defenceman Zayne Parekh is doing his best to try and fit in at Team Canada’s camp but it’s obvious that his NHL experience stands out. Parekh spoke about making the adjustment to the World Juniors, his expectations for himself at the tournament and the chirps he received from his teammates in Calgary before he left for camp. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
The pace and structure is different at this level and so is the quality of opposition. Parekh and Brunicke both listed multiple names when asked about the toughest opponent they faced in the NHL. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a like a back-to-back with Winnipeg and Toronto,\u201d Brunicke recalled. \u201cI thought Kyle Connor was really good and Mark Scheifele as well. And then playing against [William] Nylander, I thought he was exceptional. He had like really nice backhand play where he roofed it bar down. It\u2019s so cool to see those guys, but also you gotta realize now you\u2019re playing against them and defending them. So, you gotta lock in and play them hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brunicke adds that it was no treat going up against the size and skill of Tage Thompson. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Parekh faced the Winnipeg Jets twice this season and had a similar scouting report to Brunicke.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen Josh Morrissey a couple times now and he\u2019s just been lights out every time we\u2019ve played him with multiple multi-point games,\u201d Parekh said. \u201cHe\u2019s been really fun to watch and, you know, Scheifele and Kyle Connor, and Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. I mean, everyone\u2019s good in the NHL, but there\u2019s a few, a certain few, that separate themselves from everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharks forward Michael Misa is rehabbing an injury back in San Jose, but is due to join Canada\u2019s camp later this week. When he arrives, that will give Canada three NHL players. <\/p>\n
Tough matchups with Morrissey, Nylander helped Brunicke, Parekh prep for WJC Zayne Parekh and Harrison Brunicke will bring some much-needed experience and leadership to Team Canada’s World Juniors team as they can boast their NHL experience with the Flames and Penguins respectively. Both players dished about their welcome-to-the-NHL moment, the toughest players they have played against and more. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Tij Iginla has not played in the NHL, but has plenty of experience with the league thanks to his father, Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, who played for Canada at the 1996 World Juniors. <\/p>\n
If the Kelowna Rockets forward cracks the World Junior roster, that will make the Iginlas the fifth ever father-son duo to represent Canada at the event joining Steve (1978) and Jeff Tambellini (2004), Dave (1984) and Sam Gagner (2007), Shean (1995) and Jorian Donovan (2024), and Denis (1996) and Ethan Gauthier (2025). <\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, to be honest, that\u2019s not really my first thought when I\u2019m coming to the tournament, thinking about my dad,\u201d Tij said with a smile. \u201cBut, like you said, being the fifth duo or whatever, it would be pretty cool. We just want to try and do everything we can to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jarome helped Canada win gold in Boston in 1996. His message to Tij right now? <\/p>\n
\u201cJust enjoy it, have fun, you know, put your best foot forward and be ready to go right away,\u201d Tij said. \u201cI think he\u2019s pretty excited. Yeah, my mom and dad, a few grandparents are planning to come down to Minnesota. It\u2019s an exciting time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iginla, who has racked up 27 points in 17 games this season, is skating as Canada\u2019s second-line centre between Michael Hage and Braeden Cootes so far at camp. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling good coming in, but it\u2019s the highest level,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, you\u2019ve got to turn it up a notch when you get to events like this and I think each of us, individually, has to be ready to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iginla looks to follow in dad’s footsteps at World Juniors Tij Iginla discusses getting a chance to follow in his dad Jarome’s footsteps at the World Juniors, stories his dad has shared from his experience at the tournament, and what it was like to face his brother in the WHL. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Every player at this camp is either drafted by an NHL team or eligible to be drafted for the first time this June with one exception. Ethan MacKenzie has been passed over in the past two NHL drafts, but that didn\u2019t stop the Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman from earning an invitation to Niagara Falls. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable,\u201d the 19-year-old from West Kelowna, B.C. said. \u201cI couldn\u2019t really get the smile out of my face for a couple days. I had a hard time sleeping. I have actually no words for it still after a couple weeks. It\u2019s a surreal experience being able to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n
MacKenzie, who was not invited to the summer camp for World Junior hopefuls, didn\u2019t even realize this was possible until Hockey Canada reached out a month ago and asked him to fill out a couple forms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t really think too much on it,\u201d he said. \u201cJust had a couple weeks there of playing good hockey and then I got the call.\u201d<\/p>\n
MacKenize has produced 31 points in 30 games this season. He has 26 points in his last 21 games. <\/p>\n
\u201cI used to be a forward, so I had that kind of offensive side,\u201d he said. \u201cBut my first couple of years in the WHL, I was more of a defensive side of the game [guy] and kind of contributed a little bit when I could. The last couple of years, my offensive side has definitely taken a jump.\u201d<\/p>\n
MacKenzie is also grateful that he\u2019s remained healthy this season after dealing with injuries to his hand, wrist and hamstring early his career. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of times where I\u2019ve gone through mental struggle with injuries and everything,\u201d he said. \u201cSo just being able to get through that made me stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are nine defencemen at Canada\u2019s camp with eight jobs available. MacKenzie has skated as the ninth defenceman at practice, but is not discouraged. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn my own head, I just gotta think that I\u2019m good enough and I\u2019m here for a reason,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
MacKenzie\u2019s plus-22 mark is the tops among all Canadian players here. <\/p>\n
Passed over in NHL draft, MacKenzie gets call from Canada: ‘I have no words’ Ethan MacKenzie had a hard time sleeping after getting the call to join Team Canada\u2019s training camp ahead of the 2026 World Juniors tournament in Minnesota. The defenceman was passed over in the NHL draft but that moment did not weaken his mindset and he believes his path has helped him become the player he is today. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Upcoming schedule at Canada\u2019s training camp: <\/p>\n
Tuesday Dec. 16 – Canada practice at 11 am<\/p>\n
Wednesday Dec. 17 – Canada skate at 9:30 am; game vs. Sweden at 7 pm in Kitchener, Ont.<\/p>\n
Thursday Dec. 18 – Canada practice at 11 am<\/p>\n
Friday Dec. 19 – Canada practice at 11 am<\/p>\n
Saturday Dec. 20 – Canada skate at 9:30 am, Canada game vs Sweden at 7 pm in London, Ont.<\/p>\n
Sunday Dec. 21 – Canada practice at 11 am<\/p>\n
Monday Dec. 22 – Canada practice at 9 am, flight to Minneapolis at 8 pm <\/p>\n
Tuesday Dec. 23 – Canada game vs Denmark at 7 pm in Mankato, Min. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Team Canada held a media day at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont. on Monday. — Pittsburgh…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":348104,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[712,49,48,44],"class_list":{"0":"post-348103","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-canada","8":"tag-apple-news","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348103"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348103\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348103"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348103"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}