2023 Canada Games: Team Ontario Preview

After losing to Team Quebec in the 2019 Canada Winter Games Final in what was a thrilling overtime matchup, Team Ontario looks to bounce back in this upcoming tournament. Facing some stiff competition from around Canada, Team Ontario will have to bring its best effort game in and game out to better the success they had with that very strong 2019 team. 

This year’s roster has some of the top prospects for the Ontario Hockey League draft that should be on full display throughout the tournament. Ryan Roobroeck who is currently our #1 ranked prospect is a high end goal scoring threat whenever he is on the ice. He possesses great size and skating and should be a force throughout this tournament. Brady Martin is a strong two way player, who has very quick processing speed combined with a great ability to be an offensive catalyst for his Waterloo Wolves team and looks to bring that same energy and scoring touch to Team Ontario. Tyler Hopkins and Parker Snelgrove both help to bring a bit of grit and versatility to the lineup as both players are not afraid to go to the dirty areas to win puck battles and generate possessions for their team. Evan Elliot is a great goal scorer and utilizes his high end speed to transition the game from end to end and create chances for himself  Evan who despite being undersized is not afraid of being a physical force with his opponents as well.

On the back end Team Ontario has some tremendous puck moving defenseman who will all be able to contribute offensively as well as initiating quick and consistent breakouts from the back end. Matt Schaefer is a player to watch as he has the size, skating and puck moving skills to be a threat at the next level. Dryden Allen and Carson Cameron are both very confident puck movers as well, not typically going up and off the glass but rather looking for a strong outlet pass for their team to maintain possessions and generate offense from the back end.

While usually loaded with GTHL talent, this Team Ontario only has 5 players from the G including both the goalies for this year’s team. Led by William Moore who is a very cerebral playmaker who with his two way play is always determined to do anything to help his team win. Being a major contributor with the 2022 OHL Cup winning Mississauga Senators last season, William has continued his winning ways by leading this year Toronto Marlboros to winning both the Whitby Silver and Toronto Marlboros Winter Holiday Classic. He will no doubt be leaned upon to do the same for this Team Ontario squad. Matheas Stark and Nico Addy both from the GTHL as well bring a great motor and effort combined with great shots to also be scoring assets and versatility to the lineup.

From the HEO region, they will be led on the backend by Quinn Beauchesne, a highly touted right-shot defender who possesses high-end hockey sense, puck handling skills, and edges. Maasilan Etchart is an effective two-way defender who has improved significantly since the beginning of the season while Tristan Boudreau is a tall, rangy defender who excels in his own zone by limiting the time and space of his opponents. 

Up front, Chase Hull will be relied upon to score goals and generate offense with his world-class skating and speed. Harry Nansi is a highly skilled winger who anticipates the play well and can create offense out of nothing. Finally, Peter Legostaev is a skilled center with size and thinks the game at a high-level.

Jack Ivankovic and Jaeden Nelson backbone the unit in between the pipes. Both have had very strong campaigns for their respective teams. Jack is a highly intelligent, quick twitched goaltender who is always in great position because of his ability to read the play in front of him. Jaeden is a very mobile goaltender, who has fantastic reflexes and ability to react quickly to what an attacker will do. With either player in net Team Ontario should be confident in the goalies ability to make the big save when needed.