Vancouver Canucks top prospects of week 11: 2018 World Juniors Preview

LW Jonah Gadjovich, Team Canada

Team Canada was determined to go with a lineup that is balanced with size and skill up front. Though that came at the expense of players like Kole Lind and Cody Glass (both from the WHL, hrmm….), as well as Nick Suzuki, it certainly benefitted Jonah Gadjovich, the embodiment of skill and size.

Gadjovich, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound forward fondly dubbed the “Man Child” by his Owen Sound Attack fans, is the third-largest player Team Canada will bring with them to this year’s competition. His special role will be to play the net-front presence on the power play, where he has had five of his 15 goals this season in the OHL.

In 21 games, Gadjovich had managed 26 points and 115 shots on net. After coming back from a month-long injury through October, he has only gone two games without registering a point. He has 17 points in 13 games in that span, including a game he had 13 shots on net.

Team Canada opens their preliminary match schedule against Finland on Boxing Day, 1PM Pacific. Slovakia is next up the next day, at 4PM Pacific. The much-anticipated outdoor showdown against Team USA is on the 29th at noon Pacific. The Danes will round out the matchup on the 30th at 5PM Pacific.

Others to watch on Team Canada

Team Canada does not have any 2018 Draft-eligible players at this year’s tournament.