MONTREAL – For the particular challenge facing the hockey teams at the Beijing Olympics, the leaders of the Canadian squad have opted for a troop combining a core of experienced athletes and youth.

Head coach Claude Julien confirmed that this approach was the most logical in the eyes of the staff assembled for this meeting.

“We have a good mix of young people and veterans, we believe that the experience will help us to manage certain situations. There is always adversity in such a tournament and it could arise in the quality of our game or be related to COVID-19. It’s important to have experienced guys who are able to calm things down in the dressing room. When we made the selection, we chose the players to create the best team and have a good balance on this side, ”explained Julien by videoconference from Davos where the club is holding a training camp until February 1. .

Logically, the young people who have achieved the feat of qualifying in this group are those who can hold their own against older athletes. Forward Mason McTavish and defender Owen Power have already proven that and goalkeeper Devon Levi has been convincing enough.

“We’ve seen what he can do, he can handle this competition against men. He was dominant at the World Junior Championship (albeit brief), his skills are evident and he’s good at holding the puck. He really deserves his place, “said Julien about McTavish while the doubts are practically non-existent towards Power.

The other goal of Julien, his assistants and general manager Shane Doan was to assemble a group that could fit into the Canadian vision. The task was not so easy having to draw mainly in Europe, in the NCAA and with a few exceptions in the American Hockey League.

“The challenge is to play the way Canada always has. We are known for our aggressive play, going for the puck quickly and winning fights along the ramps. We bet on a lot of fast players with a good size. We believe that we will achieve this with the players chosen, I am very confident of that and we hope to demonstrate it, ”noted Julien.

It remains that Canada must manage with athletes who have little or no experience together, unlike many teams that will be present in Beijing. Incidentally, Canada has failed to earn gold without NHL players since 1952.

However, Julien is not afraid of this “last minute” mission.

“It’s not so much a big challenge, we just have to be well prepared and ready to adjust,” he said after a first training session.

The many hours of recruitment, especially on video, allowed the coaches to imagine the concrete portrait of the lines and duos in defense.

“The advantage of having this camp is to bring these players together and see if it clicks. We hope to have formed our combinations before leaving Switzerland”, admitted the coach who was able to get to know several of his protégés better with the Channel One Cup process.

It is possibly in net that the question marks persist as Levi has less experience than Edward Pasquale and Matt Tomkins.

“The competition will be important in this position. For this start of the camp, no one can say who will definitely be our number one goalkeeper, ”recognized Julien.

One of the questions invited Julien to compare a presence in the Stanley Cup final to this Olympic adventure.

“When I reached the final, I made sure above all to prepare everyone well and I will do the same here. We’re aiming for gold, that’s really what we want. I feel extremely lucky to be part of it,” replied the 61-year-old coach.

From disappointment to great happiness

Among the veterans selected, the name of Eric Staal attracts attention. Ignored by NHL teams after his long playoff run with the Habs, the 37-year-old continued training without imagining that it would lead him to this Olympic experience.

“I was doing it to come back to the NHL, but we are going through unprecedented years. This opportunity is simply too attractive not to seize it”, commented Staal who had the support of his wife and children to move away for a few weeks.

Of course, Staal will not be the most explosive skater on Chinese ice surfaces, but Julien and his collaborators consider that his experience is essential.

“Through his whole career, Staal’s value is invaluable and he comes with the right attitude to help create the chemistry you’re looking for,” mentioned Julien.

According to Julien, the four games played by Staal with the Iowa Wild, in the American League, have confirmed that he will still be able to contribute on the ice and not only as a point guard.

Staal savored gold in 2010, at the Vancouver Olympics, but he embarked on a destabilizing project this time. He will measure himself against several athletes whose strengths and weaknesses he does not know.

“It will be different, that’s for sure. But I know that the preparation of Team Canada is better than that of any country regardless of the event. I’m sure our coaches know all the players and their tendencies. In addition, it remains hockey, it goes through the desire of the athletes, ”responded Staal.

This last Olympic jump will allow him to rub shoulders with young people who, as a colleague said, were wearing diapers when he started his NHL career.

“In every team that I have had success, there was a nice balance between youth and experience. It’s nice to see these young people training and developing their skills, it provides excitement and energy. When you have such talented youngsters, it’s a privilege and I will follow them for years,” said the southpaw with a smile on his face.

Staal had every reason to be happy. After having suffered the blow of being ignored by the NHL, he will savor every second of this Olympic project.

“It’s just fun to see how things turn out sometimes. I see it as another chapter in my journey and I hope it ends as expected. If things go well and I contribute, we’ll see what happens next,” concluded Staal, who played 1,293 games in the NHL.