Nick Paul (far right) celebrates a Team Canada goal with Calgary Hitmen forward Jake Virtanen and current linemate Brayden Point during action Sunday as Canda's World Juniors blanked the CIS All-Stars 6-0. PHOTO COURTESY CANADIAN PRESS/CHRIS YOUNG.
While the North Bay Battalion was battling for an OT victory over the Kingston Frontenacs, their leading scorer was fighting for a spot on Team Canada.
After Team Canada’s World Junior 6-0 win over the CIS All-Stars, Paul found out he avoided a set of cuts that sent former Sudbury Wolves forward Nick Baptiste and 4 others home from the National team's selection camp.
“Yeah it was a great feeling, there was certainly a sense of relief knowing there was cuts but just basically going in today showing them why they should pick me that I am a guy who is going to work hard, I’m going to do all the little things, everything they want, so I’m just going to play any role they give me and do it to the best of my abilities,” Paul told BayToday.ca after his practice with Team Canada in St. Catharines Monday afternoon.
At practice Monday, Paul was centring a line with Petes forward Nick Ritchie and Moose Jaw Warriors standout Brayden Point. Like Paul, Point is not a high NHL draft pick, but he’s gathered a lot of attention by recording 5 points in the two exhibition contests against the CIS teams on the weekend.
“He’s been tearing it up so far,” noted Paul about his new linemate.
“I think we click, he was on my line today and Nick Ritchie is a big body, so we’ve got two big bodies and a playmaker so the line is going well right now, we have good chemistry and hopefully it stays like that.”
But with 15 forwards in camp and the potential of Ottawa Senators forward Curtis Lazar joining the team Friday, Paul knows he has to continue to play a solid 200 foot game to solidify his spot on Team Canada.
“Right now you know it’s really nerve-wracking and everything but the best thing I am doing right now is keeping it all in the back of my mind - not thinking about it - just playing hockey and it’s working,” said Paul who leads the Battalion in scoring with 19 goals and 15 assists so far this season.
“I feel if you dwell too much on it, think to much, you start playing mind games and screw up your game so just keeping it in the back of my mind and playing hockey and having fun and just working my hardest. Whatever happens, happens as long as I give 110% there’s nothing more I can give so I have to leave it all on the table.”
Paul will have 3 more days of practice and one more exhibition game on Friday before Hockey Canada announces its final roster which is expected to happen on Saturday.
