Team Canada held a practice at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont. on Friday. <\/p>\n
Michael Misa slotted in as Team Canada\u2019s top-line centre on Friday skating between Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re going to instantly click, find some chemistry, and I\u2019m excited to play with them,\u201d said Misa, who has one goal and two assists in seven games with the San Jose Sharks this season. <\/p>\n
Friday marked Misa\u2019s first practice since being loaned to Hockey Canada by the Sharks. What stood out about McKenna? <\/p>\n
\u201cEverything,\u201d Misa said of the Penn State freshman. \u201cHis speed, creativity, just the way he sees the ice, it\u2019s someone you want on your line.\u201d<\/p>\n
McKenna is projected to go first overall in the next NHL draft. Misa just went second overall last June when Martone, who is a freshman at Michigan State, was selected sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. <\/p>\n
McKenna and Martone lit up the 2024 under-18 World Championship while playing on the same line. Now, they have an NHLer skating between them. The potential for this trio together is sky high. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust how smart that line is [stands out],\u201d said McKenna, who has four goals and 14 assists in 16 games this season. \u201cWe can all put the puck in the back of the net and we can all make plays. If we can mesh together pretty early then I think that\u2019s a really dangerous line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMisa\u2019s very good up the middle of the ice, very fast, creates plays off the rush, and is very good in the D-zone breaking up plays, and getting odd-man rushes,\u201d said Martone. \u201cAnd you see Gav, the talent he has, he\u2019s got the hockey mind, he thinks the game so well. You don\u2019t really know what he\u2019s going to do with the puck so you always got to be ready and always got to have your stick on the ice.\u201d <\/p>\n
Martone, who has 11 goals and nine assists in 16 games this season, is ready to do the heavy lifting on the line. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big body, who can play hard,\u201d the 6-foot-3, 208-pound winger said. \u201cI think I got a great hockey mind too, and know where to go on the ice.\u201d <\/p>\n
The line will get a chance to build chemistry on Saturday night when Canada plays Sweden in a pre-tournament game in London, Ont. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll take a bit to get going, but the chemistry is going to come,\u201d Martone said. \u201cI think we could be a real threat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Canada will play a final pre-tournament game on Tuesday in Mankato, Minn. against Denmark. <\/p>\n
By the time Canada opens the World Juniors on Boxing Day at 3M Arena in Minneapolis, the 3M Line is expected to be up and running. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s dangerous,\u201d said Team Canada defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson. \u201cAll three of those guys are super dynamic. They don\u2019t need a lot of time and space to make plays … I think they\u2019re going to do a lot of damage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team Canada hopes Misa, McKenna, Martone will equal magic in Minnesota As it stands right now, Team Canada’s top line will consist of Michael Misa, Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone at this year’s World Juniors. The speed and skill that the trio possesses is an exciting prospect for the team as they continue to build chemistry before Boxing Day. Mark Masters has more. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Misa and Martone did not dress in Canada\u2019s first pre-tournament game against Sweden on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Soo Greyhounds forward Brady Martin scored twice in Canada\u2019s 2-1 win in Kitchener, Ont. with McKenna assisting on both goals. McKenna clicked well with Martin, who was the fifth-overall pick by the Nashville Predators in June, and Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could go back to it any time,\u201d said Team Canada head coach Dale Hunter. \u201cYou could go back to it after a period, so I don\u2019t worry about that so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
What does Hunter like about Misa with McKenna and Martone? <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a complete centre,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cHe\u2019s not like a shooter or a passer, he does a complete game and that\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hage and Martin remained together at Friday\u2019s practice with Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla, who was rested on Wednesday, skating on the left side of the second line.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Misa skated on the flank of Canada\u2019s top power-play unit on Friday. His old Saginaw Spirit teammate, Zayne Parekh, who also started this season in the NHL with the Calgary Flames, is running point on the unit. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he has the puck, you just let him do his thing and you try to get open for him,\u201d said Misa. \u201cHe\u2019s so deceptive with the puck and with the way he\u2019s able to make plays. It\u2019s something every team looks for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite generating plenty of chemistry during three seasons as teammates in the Ontario Hockey League, Misa is still unsure exactly what Parekh is up to when he has the puck on his stick at certain moments. <\/p>\n
\u201cEspecially, I feel like, on the power play,\u201d Misa said with a smile. \u201cYou never know what he\u2019s going to do. It\u2019s always the right play, but just the way he goes about it, it\u2019s pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
McKenna is on the opposite flank of Misa on the top unit with Martin in front of the net and University of North Dakota freshman Cole Reschny in the bumper spot. <\/p>\n
Canada Ice Chips: Not even Misa knows what Parekh’s up to on the PP Michael Misa practiced for the first time since the Sharks loaned the top prospect to Team Canada for the World Juniors, and the centre reunited with good friend Zayne Parekh on the top power play unit. TSN’s Mark Masters has more on how Canada’s power play units are is coming together. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Reschny does not have a power-play goal this season, so how did the Flames prospect earn a spot on Canada\u2019s top power-play unit? <\/p>\n
\u201cFaceoffs alone,\u201d said Hunter. \u201cHe\u2019s good on the draws. It means a lot. You kill 30 seconds [if you lose the draw]. So, definitely the faceoffs are the key. Also, he moves the puck well and he has a good hockey sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reschny is winning 55 per cent of his draws in the NCAA. He won 56.4 per cent of his faceoffs last season with the Victoria Royals in the Western Hockey League. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019ve always worked on,\u201d the 5-foot-11 centre from Macklin, Sask. said. \u201cJust bearing down [is key].\u201d<\/p>\n
Like most of the forwards here, Reschny has played the flank on the power play for most of his hockey life.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to adapt is not a challenge for me, and I think I fit in well,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s being a support guy for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reschny, who has 18 points in 16 games this season, has remained in the bumper spot on the top unit throughout every practice at Canada\u2019s camp. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s such a hard worker,\u201d said McKenna. \u201cHe can put the puck in the back of the net. He can win faceoffs. He\u2019s a very smart player and he\u2019s just always in the right spot it seems like, so he\u2019s a big key to that power play.\u201d<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
With 19 goals in 27 games this season, Aitcheson actually leads all Team Canada players this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cOh, really, a defenceman,\u201d said Martone. \u201cI would not have figured that … That\u2019s pretty crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWow,\u201d said McKenna. \u201cHe\u2019s got a bomb.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aitcheson downplayed his offensive exploits.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur team has been really good,\u201d he said of the Central Division-leading Colts. \u201cOur coaching staff has put me in great spots.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eleven of his goals have come on the power play. Aitcheson also notes that luck has been on his side. He\u2019s scoring on 20 per cent of his shots, which is up from 16 per cent last season when he potted 26 goals in 64 games. <\/p>\n
Maybe Aitcheson\u2019s tape job is helping. He uses white tape, but has black markings on the lower half of the blade. <\/p>\n
\u201cI started that a few years ago,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a little different than everyone else so I kind of like that. [Barrie goalie Sam Hillebrandt] told me he kind of messed with his eyes a bit, so I just kept it from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the eye-popping goal total, the New York Islanders prospect points out that he\u2019s actually focusing more on the defensive side of the game this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been really trying to dial in defensively and be able to stay consistent for 60 minutes against their top guys,\u201d the 19-year-old from Toronto said. \u201cAnd then, yeah, obviously been working on the offence. Still trying to find the net, and make plays offensively.\u201d <\/p>\n
Aitcheson skated beside Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Harrison Brunicke on Canada\u2019s second pair at Friday\u2019s practice. <\/p>\n
Aitcheson is plus-19 this season, which is tied for fifth among OHL defencemen.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s really gritty, like, in the corners and stuff,\u201d Misa said. \u201cHe\u2019s not someone you want to play against.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a heavy hitter,\u201d said McKenna. \u201cHe works hard. He\u2019s got a good stick. He\u2019s very good defensively and, on top of that, he can put the puck in the back of the net.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who leads Team Canada in goals? The answer may surprise you Among all Team Canada players, it’s defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson who leads all players at camp with 19 goals for his club team this season. That revelation shocked some of his teammates, but upon further inspection, it all makes sense with the type of player Aitcheson is for the Barrie Colts. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Aitcheson and Martone actually dropped the gloves in an OHL game last season. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe give it to them a little bit about that,\u201d said McKenna. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty funny.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the best way to get them closer together,\u201d Misa said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to try to find ways to bond and they know it\u2019s all love, so it\u2019s funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aitcheson started taking shots at Martone at the buzzer of a 4-2 Barrie win on Oct. 12, 2024. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome guys have bugged Marty about that,\u201d Reschny said with a smile. \u201cIt\u2019s great. We got a lot of good competitors on this team.\u201d <\/p>\n
Aitcheson was suspended two games for initiating the fight. What was their first conversation like afterwards? <\/p>\n
\u201cA little awkward for sure,\u201d Aitcheson admits with a smile. \u201cBut, you know, it\u2019s water under the bridge now. We\u2019re just both looking to one goal and focusing on that goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve gotten into a couple tussles,\u201d said Martone, who captained the Brampton Steelheads last season. \u201cIt\u2019s all fun and games when that happens. We\u2019re competitors when we play against each other, but now we\u2019re on the same team and we\u2019re going to fight for gold together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aitcheson and Martone lead all Team Canada players in penalty minutes this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe would go at it pretty hard,\u201d Martone recalled of their OHL rivalry. \u201cIt just speaks to the character and the kind of way he wants to play. He wants to be that defenceman forwards don\u2019t want to go against and, for me, I want to be that forward who defencemen don\u2019t want to go against, so we kind of clashed a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
From fighting each other to fighting for gold, OHL rivals Martone, Aitcheson join forces with Canada Kashawn Aitcheson and Porter Martone are familiar with each other from their OHL clashes, which included a fight. Although it may have made for some awkward moments at camp, both players have brushed off the past and have come together for a common goal on Team Canada. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Before leaving for this training camp, Aitcheson received some advice from Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who made Canada\u2019s World Junior squad last year before sustaining a tournament-ending injury in the second game. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust enjoy the moment,\u201d Aitcheson said of the message. \u201cThe crowds, the media, the eyes all on you, it\u2019s going to be a fun time and just, \u2018Don\u2019t let your country down,\u2019 and, \u2018Bring home gold\u2019 … He played in Canada so in the States, it\u2019s going to be quite the opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aitcheson is relishing the chance to spoil the party in Minnesota where defending champion Team USA is looking to win its first-ever World Junior gold medal on home soil. <\/p>\n
\u201cI love it,\u201d Aitcheson said of playing in hostile territory. \u201cYou want to be the enemy. You want to be the bad guy. So, yeah, we\u2019re the dream killers. We\u2019re planning to kill everyone\u2019s dreams this tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Aitcheson insists he\u2019s not going to go out of his way to land any big hits. <\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t really look for it,\u201d he said. \u201cIf it\u2019s there then obviously I\u2019ll take it, but I\u2019m just more focusing on playing hard, playing physical, playing really good defensively and, if the opportunity is there, jumping up in the O-zone.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘We’re the dream killers’: Hard-hitting Aitcheson loves playing in hostile territory Kashawn Aitcheson spoke about the advice he has received from Matthew Schaefer, who had his World Juniors cut short last year due to an injury. Aitcheson is welcoming the pressure that comes with playing in hostile territory. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Eight tires were piled up on the edge of the crease on Friday as Canada\u2019s netminders worked on tracking pucks through screens. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou try to teach any goaltender at any age that if they see the release, they\u2019ve got a chance to make a save,\u201d said goalie coach Dan De Palma. \u201cThe most important thing is to see the release and work to see pucks and go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Palma uses this drill back in Kamloops, B.C. where he works as the Blazers goalie coach, but he needed some help to make it happen here. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the fellas at the rink had a buddy that owns a local tire shop,\u201d he said. \u201cI wish I could give it a plug right now. But, yeah, they came up with those pretty quick. It was one phone call and the tires arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some NHL teams, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, use mannequins to simulate screens. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Leafs budget probably is a little bit greater than the Kamloops Blazers budget,\u201d De Palma said with a grin. \u201cAlthough we\u2019re treated pretty well there. But, yeah, we don\u2019t have the mannequin yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the tires weren\u2019t available, De Palma may have asked a player to stand in. <\/p>\n
\u201cGuys that want to get in the lineup usually are a little more brave,\u201d he said with a grin. \u201cThe tires are pretty brave. They never get out of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘The tires are pretty brave’: Kicking tires on Canada’s goalies Goaltending coach Dan De Palma used an interesting prop for some drills at Friday’s practice. Tires were used and De Palma explained why they are great to help young goaltenders and offered an assessment on his three goalies so far. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Owen Sound Attack goalie Carter George stopped 19 of 20 shots to earn the win on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he was playing the right way,\u201d said De Palma. \u201cEvery goalie has a certain way they play when they\u2019re at their best, and I thought he did that. I thought he was on the pucks. He\u2019s never an urgent guy in the crease. He\u2019s pretty calm, but there was a little bit of pace to his game and I think that\u2019s pretty important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack Ivankovic, who like George was on Canada\u2019s team last year, is expected to get the start on Saturday. When the Michigan freshman is at his best, what is he doing well? <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s early to spots,\u201d De Palma said. \u201cHe\u2019s tracking really well. He just sees pucks real well. So you just try and get him in the right spot and make sure he\u2019s tracking it all the way in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prince George Cougar Joshua Ravensbergen is the other goalie at Canada\u2019s camp.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Five players on Team Canada made the jump from the Canadian Hockey League to the NCAA this season. Unlike in the CHL, in the college game players must wear a full visor or cage. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me a little bit of time,\u201d Martone said of the adjustment. \u201cI remember looking down at the puck and, like, the bars are kind of in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Penn State, players all wear full visors also known as bubbles. <\/p>\n
\u201cObviously you get used to it, but at the start, like, I don\u2019t know, I hate wearing something over my face,\u201d said McKenna. <\/p>\n
Players who are under 18 must wear full facial protection in IIHF events. McKenna turns 18 on Saturday, which means he\u2019ll be able to go back to wearing a visor at the World Juniors. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to finally breathe,\u201d he said with a big smile. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so happy to be back in a visor,\u201d echoed Martone, who is 19. \u201cIt\u2019s the best thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is a down side, of course. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s easier to kind of breathe and see, but I did eat a puck off the face on Wednesday,\u201d said Reschny, who wears a cage at North Dakota. \u201cIt was a good welcome-back moment to the visor. I mean, it happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reschny needed two stitches to close a cut on his chin. <\/p>\n
‘Nice to finally breathe’: Birthday boy McKenna happy to be back in visor for World Juniors Gavin McKenna has had to wear a bubble helmet during his time in the NCAA this season but sure is glad to go back to wearing a visor for the World Juniors. McKenna spoke about the adjustment he has had to make for college hockey. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
Lines at Friday\u2019s practice: <\/p>\n
McKenna – Misa – Martone<\/p>\n
Iginla – Hage – Martin<\/p>\n
Reschny – Beaudoin – Luchanko<\/p>\n
Greentree – Cootes – O\u2019Reilly<\/p>\n
Bear – Desnoyers<\/p>\n
Reid – Parekh<\/p>\n
Aitcheson – Brunicke<\/p>\n
MacKenzie – Danford<\/p>\n
Carels – Verhoeff<\/p>\n
George<\/p>\n
Ivankovic<\/p>\n
Ravensbergen<\/p>\n
Power play units at Friday\u2019s practice: <\/p>\n
QB: Parekh<\/p>\n
Flanks: McKenna, Misa<\/p>\n
Middle: Reschny<\/p>\n
Net front: Martin<\/p>\n
QB: MacKenzie<\/p>\n
Flanks: Hage, Luchanko<\/p>\n
Middle: Iginla<\/p>\n
Net front: Martone<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Team Canada held a practice at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont. on Friday. Michael Misa slotted…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":357165,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[712,49,48,132644,44,146516],"class_list":{"0":"post-357164","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-hockey-canada-sports-hockey-hockey-canada","12":"tag-news","13":"tag-world-juniors-sports-hockey-world-juniors"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357164","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=357164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/357165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}