MONTREAL – Unless there is a surprise, the Canadian hockey team will not impose itself at the Beijing Olympics thanks to its attack. The defensive performance promises to be decisive in order to win a medal and three Quebecers have been selected on the defensive brigade.

Of course, all eyes will be on Owen Power, the fascinating first choice of the 2021 draft. The imposing hope of the Buffalo Sabers will still be able to rely on the experience of his partners including Jason Demers, Mark Barberio and Maxim Noreau .

In training in Davos, Switzerland, Demers confessed that he was hypnotized for a few moments by Power.

“I found myself watching him skate. He really belongs to the elite. He’s a good youngster and he’s so talented; he reminds me a lot of (Victor) Hedman seeing him being able to move so well with such a frame. He has a great attitude too. I’m sure he could play in the NHL already and help the Sabers win more games. It will be exciting to see what he can accomplish in an Olympic context,” said Demers, who could sometimes play on his right.

“I hope I can share some of my experience with him and that it will be useful to him. At the same time, I’m sure I’m going to learn a few things from him because he’s very talented,” added Demers, who showed his holey smile when he heard the first question in French.

As for Barberio, he had the privilege of being teammates with Hedman, with the Lightning, and Cale Makar, with the Avalanche.

“I’m really impressed, he already has an NHL size and he’s so efficient in his skating. I don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on him, it would be unfair to compare him to Cale or Victor, but he will have a fabulous career and I know the fans will be very excited to watch him,” said Barberio, whose French accent makes now resonate a European touch coming from his stay in Lausanne.

The potential of Power, and its partners on the blue line, will still be put to the test against the European powers.

“Today, we know that it takes all five players on the ice to defend themselves and all our forwards are responsible defensively. I agree that our defenders will have a big job to do. But it’s normal, in any tournament, you have to play well defensively. That’s still how you win, ”replied Barberio.

Canada’s modest offensive portrait has prompted pundits to assign a rare underdog role to Canadian representatives behind athletes from the Russian Olympic Committee, Finland and Sweden.

“For real, I like it and I hope all the players approach it that way. NHL players can’t be there, so it’s a great opportunity for us to show how we can play. We rely on a lot of experience and earning gold has been our goal since our first meeting,” reacted Demers.

Several points in common between Demers and Barberio

Barberio and Demers are Montreal defenders. They each played a portion of their junior career with the Moncton Wildcats. They had to find a job outside the NHL recently and they went through Ak-Bars in Kazan before being selected for this Olympic adventure.

The difference is that Demers expects to play a pillar role there.

“It’s important to me, I would like to be able to have several minutes, help where I can and be a leader,” admitted the man who played 699 games on the Bettman circuit.

Selected for the Channel One Cup and the Spengler Cup, Demers was quick to catch the eye of the KHL. He now finds himself living this unforgettable experience, enough to make you forget the months of waiting to hope for an NHL contract.

For his part, Barberio expected a little less.

“I feel a lot of pride, it’s an opportunity I never thought I would get in my life. I think of my family who are in Canada at the moment. They are proud and I want to represent them as best I can,” commented the southpaw.

A more mature version of Josh Ho-Sang thanks to the Leafs

Forward Josh Ho-Sang was the third player to participate in the videoconference. This former first-round pick (28th overall in 2014) is convinced that he has revived his career thanks to the organization of the Toronto Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas who repatriated him to North America by doing so. play with the Marlies in the American League.

Ho-Sang was previously recognized as an immature youngster both on the ice and in his attitude.

“I keep trying to grow as a player and as a person. It’s not always easy, but when you’re chosen for such an event, it shows you that you’re on the right track,” Ho-Sang said humbly.

“All the Marlies staff have been amazing. I think of all the time they spent with me making video, the coaches couldn’t get enough of helping me when I wanted to change things in my game. The dialogue in Toronto really helped me, I I felt listened to and I saw that my opinion mattered which motivated me. I wanted to do well for my teammates and my coaches. I was not ‘a piece of meat’ like other players in some organizations,” Ho-Sang continued.

The talented right-hander says he understood how to better manage his decisions on the ice. He compared the whole thing to football teams who sometimes have to clear the ball to avoid putting themselves in a bad situation.