Canadian Flag At World Juniors

Montreal Canadiens prospect Charles Hudon will no longer be a part of the Canadian World Junior Team in Ufa Russia. Hudon reportedly suffered a lower back injury during today’s practice and has been further evaluated unable to participate in the rest of the tournament. Hudon went into selection camp with a lingering in back issue and was being managed by the team trainers and doctors to keep him playable. During today’s practice Hudon might have re-aggravated the playable injury potentially disc related, which could be pretty bad.

“But, today in practice, he definitely pulled a muscle. They don’t know if it’s disc-related..we had to make, but, ultimately, you can’t go into an event like this with players that aren’t up to 100 per cent.”

Charles Hudon sustained a concussion early on in the season playing for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL. Hudon was just recently named captain of the Sagueneens before being selected to represent Canada at the Juniors. Mark McNeill will takeover Hudon’s role on the roster, a former first round pick in 2011 by the Chicago Blackhawks. McNeill plays a similar two-way game as Hudon and will likely be on the 3rd or 4th line.

Nathan Beaulieu has 4 assists in the last 3 games.

Lake Erie Monsters are in town to face the Hamilton Bulldogs tonight at 7:30pm. The Dogs (8-10-2) won their last game 3-2 over the Hershey Bears (11-12-1) they played a strong defensive, team game and got the scoring support from Mike Blunden, Patrick Holland and Joonas Nattinen. The Bulldogs and Monsters will play the 2nd of 8 meeting’s through the season, Lake Erie won the 1st game 4-1. The Bulldogs only won 1 of 8 meetings last year versus the Monsters and will be looking to change that this time around.

Tonight’s game will also hold the Hamilton Bulldogs annual Toy Toss, when the Dogs score their first goal all the fans that brought stuffed toys will throw them on the ice to be then later donated to the United Way and their charitable partners. Let’s hope the Dogs score early an often…

Team Leaders

•  Note: The Monsters have played 4 more games then the Dogs.

Bulldogs Lineup

Forwards

Michael Bournival – Stefan Chaput – Aaron Palushaj
Michael Blunden – Patrick Holland – Brendan Gallagher
Steve Quailer – Daryl Boyce – Louis Leblanc
Kyle Hagel – Joonas Nattinen – Gabriel Dumont

 Defenseman

Frederic St-Denis – Brendon Nash
Jarred Tinordi – Mike Commodore
Nathan Beaulieu – Morgan Ellis

Goaltenders

Cedrick Desjardins
Robert Mayer

• The game can be seen live from AHL Live or can be heard on the Radio Here
• More on the Toy Toss 2012

Alex Galchenyuk will suit up for Team USA at the WJHC.

As we expected Alex Galchenyuk got selected earlier today to USA’s World Junior selection camp. Galchenyuk holds a dual citizenship, Russia and USA, he was born and raised in the states while his parents hail from Russia. We expected Alex to make the US roster after racking up 83 points in his phenomenal first OHL season and being drafted 3rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens last June. Galchenyuk got off to a rather slow start this year in the OHL but since then has been absolutely destroying the CHL recording 49 points in 28 games thus far and is basically on pace for 100+ points. Galchenyuk is the current Captain of the Sarina Sting and could be one of the team leaders for this years world junior US squad. You can bet to see Galchenyuk to be centering on of the top two lines for the Americans playing along guys like JT Miller, Stefan Matteau and Mario Lucia.

Brady Vail drafted in the 4th round (94th overall) has been having a good season with the Windsor Spitfires and has put up 27 points in 29 games. Despite showing great qualities of a good two-way forward with good offense Vail did not get a invite to the USA camp today. Vail has slowed down lately in the point producing area and that may one of the factors why he wasn’t invited. All we know is that Vail will be a much improved player next year and will have a great chance at cracking the world junior roster.

Here’s some Galchenyuk Highlights from this season if you haven’t already seen them.

• Oct 25/12 (Penalty Shot)

• Nov 3/12

• Nov 4/12

• Nov 22/12

All World Junior Hockey info and news about your Habs prospects will be posted here and check TSN for broadcast schedule and full rosters.