While hockey fans in the Nation's Capital will be happy to have some meaningful hockey to watch during the holiday season, this year's annual World Junior Hockey tournament will only feature one Ottawa Senators prospect.
7th round pick Mikael Wikstrand is the only member of the Sens organization left standing after this morning's announcement that Stefan Noesen will not be eligible to play for the United States of America.
Noesen recently received a 10 game suspension in league play and the IIHF has made the decision to enforce that Ontario Hockey League ruling.
At one point it looked like a handful of Sens might be featured in the yearly showcase of the best Junior hockey talent from around the globe but unfortunately for Sens fans hoping to get a closer look at the team's incredibly deep prospect pool, that will not be the case.
Cody Ceci and Matt Puempel, who were both believed to be in the mix for Team Canada, did not receive invites to the selection camp. Mika Zibanejad was eligible to play for Team Sweden but the Sens organization made the decision to hold him back after a string of injuries slowed his development down in Binghamton.
Then this morning the news that Stefan Noesen would not be eligible to the play for Team USA.
The good news is the NHL lockout means the Team Canada line up is loaded with talent and should be well worth the lost sleep Canadians will endure trying to watch those 4 AM starts.
The World Juniors start on Boxing Day in Russia.
- And now time for your good news update in the NHL's quest for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. _____________.
