North Bay Battalion forward Nick Paul has made the first major set of cuts in hopes of making Canada's National Junior team.
Hockey Canada announced that the following five players will be returning to their club teams immediately: Chris Bigras (Owen Sound, OHL), Remi Elie (Belleville, OHL), Nick Baptiste (Erie, OHL), Morgan Klimchuk (Regina, WHL) and Travis Sanheim (Calgary, WHL).
Paul is the only member of his initial line where he was teamed with Baptiste and Elie, that was not cut.
Team Canada finished its second game against CIS All-Stars Sunday with a 6-0 win.
Paul netted an assist for Team Canada in the win.
On Saturday, they thumped the CIS All-Stars 10-3.
Paul dressed for both games for Team Canada.
Canada’s camp roster now includes two goaltenders, eight defencemen and 15 forwards. Canada’s National Junior Team will be based in St. Catharines, Ont., where it will continue preparations through to December 18th.
Canada’s final roster for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Toronto and Montreal will include 22 players, and must be finalized by Christmas Day.
While cuts have been made, there is still the chance the NHL allows some players to be loaned to the Junior team for the tournament.
"In regards to eligible players currently in the NHL, Hockey Canada will continue to communicate with NHL teams and is hopeful players may still be made available to Canada’s National Junior Team prior to the NHL’s roster freeze deadline on Dec. 19," Hockey Canada stated in a release Sunday night.
