Can Frank Corrado Make Team Canada?

Frank Corrado – By Corrhouse (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia CommonsIt was revealed on Saturday that Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Ryan Murray will be out indefinitely after dislocating his shoulder, potentially affecting his Team Canada status for the upcoming IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia.

“It’s not good news,” Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson told the Columbus Dispatch. “Right now, his arm is in a sling, held tight to his body, and he’s in a lot of pain.”

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, an MRI will be conducted in the next 48 hours to determine the extent of the injury. Murray was a lock to make the team if he was healthy and not playing in the National Hockey League.

Another player’s loss is another’s gain as this just potentially bolstered Vancouver Canucks prospect Frank Corrado‘s chances of making the team.

In just over a season since being drafted, Corrado has gone from being virtually unknown to being one of the OHL’s best defencemen. He was named to Team OHL for the 2012 Subway Super Series and performed well playing alongside Boston Bruins prospect and Team Canada lock Dougie Hamilton.

Corrado potted the game-winning-goal in a 2-1 win for the OHL.

“It was very exciting, a good goal to get,” Corrado told the Sudbury Star. “I wasn’t expecting to score, I just wanted to play a good defensive game and that was the icing on the cake for a good game and I’m really happy.”

On the heels of a strong performance in the Super Series, Corrado was asked about the potential of an invite to the Team Canada selection camp for the World Juniors.

“I can’t control that, I can only can control what I did with the 60 minutes I had there and if anything happens it would be great and if not, no big deal. I have no regrets.”

The Sudbury Star’s Jeff Giffen says Corrado’s two-way ability could be an attractive option for Team Canada:

"The captain is second on his team in scoring with 17 points so far this season, which also puts the Vancouver Canucks prospect in the top 10 among OHL defencemen. And he was also a plus-26 during the 2011-12 season, which indicates he can play on both sides of the puck. Corrado’s biggest asset has always been his skating, which is never more important than at a world tourney."

Brandon Sudeyko from the In The O Radio Show also believes Corrado should be invited.

"An invite should be extended to Frank Corrado, a perfect mix of offence and defence. He is a role player, and can wear multiple hats in a game. shutdown, puck mover, set up, point man. Corrado has adapted and his confidence allows him to grow into an all around defenceman."

Even though Corrado has been one of the OHL’s best, he will have to compete with the best in the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and the NCAA for a spot on the team. His chances will be affected by the number of defencemen the Team Canada brass decides to carry.

In international hockey, teams are allowed to dress 20 skaters in a game compared to 18 in North American hockey. International teams have traditionally dressed a fourth defence pairing, while Canada usually goes with a seventh defenceman and a 13th forward.

Cam Charron points out in his Buzzing The Net blog that Canada’s most talented defencemen are offensive-minded. This means more defensive-minded players could make the team over players like Griffin Reinhart, Derrick Pouliot, and Morgan Rielly.

A lot of Canada’s defencemen are also left-handed shots, so if the Team Canada brass is looking for more balance, they may be looking at a right-handed defenceman who is solid in his own zone. Corrado is one of the many players that fit the bill.

The selection camp takes place between December 11 and 13 in Calgary. The first game of the tournament takes place on December 26 against Germany.

Photo Credit: Corrhouse/Wikimedia Commons