Kaiden Guhle will be even more of a hometown favorite at the 2022 World Junior Men’s Hockey Championship in Edmonton.
The Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League traded the defenseman to the Edmonton Oil Kings the same day he was invited to the selection camp for the Canadian junior hockey team on December 1.
“It was a bit crazy day,” Guhle said.
While the 19-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta., Was considered a local product at the time, there were no fans at Rogers Place to recognize him due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There will be spectators this time and Guhle is delighted.
“Sometimes you just lay on the bed and think about it and you get chills just thinking how electric Rogers Place will be,” Guhle said. “I’m definitely going to be excited for the first shift and all the games to come, so it will be special.
“It’s going to be a little different now that it’s my home rink.”
Canada’s roster will be revealed Monday at the end of selection camp. The host nation opens the tournament co-hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., Dec. 26 against the Czech Republic.
3-0 exhibition victory for Canada
Connor Bedard scored two goals and one assist for Canada in Saturday’s 3-0 win over a team of varsity players.
Joshua Roy contributed a goal and an assist and goaltender Sebastian Cossa had a 29-save shutout.
Canadian Dylan Garand turned 29 of 30 shots into U Sports’ net for 33 minutes before giving way to Brett Brochu in the second period. Brochu stopped 17 of 19 shots in regulation.
The teams added a five-minute overtime and a shootout in Saturday’s game. Bédard assisted on Dylan Guenther’s goal in overtime.
Canada faces the varsity team again on Sunday afternoon.
Guhle played three games with the Oil Kings before selection camp. The 2020 Montreal Canadiens first-round pick (16th overall) scored a game-winning goal for the Oil Kings in a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Ice the night before coming to Calgary.
He is one of four Oil Kings invited to try for Canada alongside goaltender Cossa and forwards Guenther and Jake Neighbors.
“It was a long time coming”
Guhle is a virtual lock to play again for Canada. The six-foot-three, 203-pound defenseman attended an NHL training camp with the Canadiens this year and made three preseason games.
“It was a long time coming. With COVID, we didn’t have a training camp,” Guhle said. “It was special to play a few preseason games there and to be there for almost a month was really great.”
He thinks his game is on another level this year thanks to this experience.
“One year is pretty big for this age group, so maturity,” he said. “My puck moving skills got a little better just seeing other guys play, being with other guys at higher levels and playing professional hockey.
Canada lost 2-0 to the United States in the gold medal game of the 2021 tournament at Rogers Place.
Gold medal hopes
Guhle, who has scored two goals, an assist and a plus-8 rating in this tournament, would love nothing better than to win gold this time around on his own backyard.
“I don’t think there are unfinished business for me, just unfinished business for the team,” he said. “Playing at home there is a lot of pressure and when you play for Canada you are supposed to win.
“Guys know that. Guys are hungry for a gold medal.”
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