The history between the hockey playing nations of Canada and Russia goes back decades. In the 1970’s there was the Summit Series, in the 80’s there was the Canada Cup and in the 90’s and 2000’s there was the multitude of epic World Junior Championships and Olympic meetings. While the rivalry isn’t as politically charged as it used to be, Canadians and Russians will both tell you who is better at hockey, and I bet you could guess which is which.
The CIBC Canada Russia Series started in 2003 and has gone through multiple sponsorship changes but the format has never changed. The Russian Selects make their way over to Canada each year to face off against each of the CHL’s 3 leagues “all-star” teams. While this event is always a good barometer for the state of Canadian and Russian hockey, it also serves as yet another proving ground for World Junior hopefuls. This is one of the last events that allow players to showcase their talents to their nation’s hockey brass before World Junior training camps start next month.
This year, the WHL has the opportunity to serve first for the CHL with games in Kamloops on November 5th and November 6th in Langley, BC. In previous years, the WHL has a record of 20 wins (one in overtime), seven losses and three overtime losses with 123 goals for and 71 against.
FORWARDS
| Almeida, Justin | 1999-02-06 | Moose Jaw Warriors | PIT 2018 (5-129) |
| Bellerive, Jordy | 1999-05-02 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | PIT 2017 (FA) |
| Cozens, Dylan | 2001-02-09 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Eligible 2019 |
| Dach, Kirby | 2001-01-21 | Saskatoon Blades | Eligible 2019 |
| Dewar, Connor | 1999-06-26 | Everett Silvertips | MIN 2018 (3-92) |
| Fix-Wolansky, Trey | 1999-05-26 | Edmonton Oil Kings | CBJ 2018 (7-204) |
| Foote, Nolan | 2000-11-29 | Kelowna Rockets | Eligible 2019 |
| Glass, Cody | 1999-04-01 | Portland Winterhawks | VGK 2017 (1-6) |
| Kelly, Parker | 1999-05-14 | Prince Albert Raiders | OTT 2017 (FA) |
| Leason, Brett | 1999-04-30 | Prince Albert Raiders | Free Agent |
| Mattheos, Stelio | 1999-06-14 | Brandon Wheat Kings | CAR 2017 (3-73) |
| Sutter, Riley | 1999-10-25 | Everett Silvertips | WAS 2018 (3-93) |
The WHL’s forward group is a good mix of young and old, with three NHL draft-eligible players in Nolan Foote, Kirby Dach, and Dylan Cozens. Along with nine 1999-born players. Forwards Cody Glass, Jordy Bellerive and Conor Dewar will serve as assistant captains.
DEFENCEMAN
| Addison, Calen | 2000-04-11 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | PIT 2018 (2-53) |
| Brook, Josh | 1999-06-17 | Moose Jaw Warriors | MTL 2017 (2-56) |
| Byram, Bowen | 2001-06-13 | Vancouver Giants | Eligible 2019 |
| Smith, Ty | 2000-03-24 | Spokane Chiefs | NJD 2018 (1-17) |
| Walford, Scott | 1999-01-12 | Victoria Royals | MTL 2017 (3-68) |
| Woo, Jett | 2000-07-27 | Moose Jaw Warriors | VAN 2018 (2-37) |
Like the forwards, the defenceman on Team WHL is a mix of young and old. There is one draft eligible player in Vancouver Giant’s star Bowen Byram. Byram will be accompanied by two 1999-born and three 2000-born players. Moose Jaw Warriors stalwart Josh Brook will serve as the team’s captain.
GOALIES
| Scott, Ian | 1999-01-11 | Prince Albert Raiders | TOR 2017 (4-110) |
| Tendeck, David | 1999-11-25 | Vancouver Giants | ARI 2018 (6-158) |
In goal Team WHL is setup for success. Both Ian Scott and David Tendeck have sub 2.50 GAA and over .900 save percentages. It’s likely that the fans in Kamloops will see Scott between the pipes and Tendeck should start in his home rink in Langley.
COACHING STAFF
Team WHL’s Coaching staff consists of the Moose Jaw Warrior’s head coach Tim Hunter, and Lethbridge Hurricanes Head Coach Brent Kisio. Ex-Kelowna Rockets head coach Jason Smith was also selected to help run the bench for Team WHL but after being let go by the Rockets on October 22nd he will not be on the bench. It is not likely there will be a replacement named.
Team Russia
WHL players on Team Russia:
Alexander Alexeyev (Red Deer Rebels)
Alexeyev will play in the two games the WHL participates in. The Rebels’ forward was a 1st round NHL draft pick (Washington Capitals, 31st) last June and has started this season on fire with 21 points in 16 games.
Goaltenders:
Pyotr Kochetkov (HK Ryazan) – VHL
Daniil Tarasov (Toros Neftekamsk) – VHL
Defencemen:
Vaniamin Baranov (MHK Dynamo Moscow) – MHL
Danila Galenyuk (SKA-Varyagi im. Morozova) – MHL
Evgeny Kalabushkin (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg) – MHL
Alexander Lyakhov (Tolpar Ufa) – MHL
Saveliy Olshansky (Zauralie Kurgan) – VHL
Alexander Romanov (CSKA Moscow) – KHL
Mark Rubinchik (Toros Neftekamsk) – VHL
Artyom Volkov (MHK Spartak Moscow) – MHL
Daniil Zhuravlev (Bars Kazan) – VHL
Forwards:
Aryom Galimov (Bars Kazan) – VHL
Evgeny Kanitsky (Metallurg Novokuznetsk) – VHL
Maxim Marushev (Bars Kazan) – VHL
Ivan Muranov (Dynamo Moscow) – KHL
Artyom Nikolaev (SKA-Neva St. Petersburg) – VHL
Bulat Shafigullin (Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk) – KHL
Nikita Shashkov (Sibir Novosibirsk) – KHL
Pavel Shen (Salavat Yulaev Ufa) – KHL
Kirill Slepets (Lada Togliatti) – VHL
Stepan Starkov (HK Sochi) – KHL
Vladislav Tsitsyura (SKA-1946 St. Petersburg) – MHL
Alexander Yaremchuk (Avangard Omsk) – KHL
