Winther and Morrissey “Bronzed” in the Czech Republic

Raiders Mike Winther and Josh Morrissey made definite contributions to Team Canada's Bronze medal effort at the World Under-18 hockey championships.

Winther finished the event with a goal and an assist but emerged as one of Canada's top defensive forwards, a goal he had set for himself before going overseas. Head Coach Jesse Wallin trusted Winther with regular ice team and a regular spot on the penalty kill and why not, as Winther scored 4 shorthanded goals with the Raiders this season. Mind you Winther and his line mates missed several chances to fatten their stats

Morrissey has emerged as a first round NHL draft candidate in June 2014 after his performance. The 16-year-old Raider rookie played a regular shift, sometimes on the top pairing with Canadian MVP Matt Dumba. Morrissey also played the point on one of the power play units and ended the tournament with three assists while scoring in one of the pre-tournament games. Morrissey's bronze medal game ended prematurely with a major kneeing penalty and a game misconduct. However it was proof Morrissey didn't shy away from physical contact, in fact he looked for it at every opportunity. Thriving against the best 17-year-old players in the world at the high speed and tempo on the big European ice will make Winther and Morrissey players to watch in Raider uniforms next season. Morrissey also has to be a no-brain pick for Team Canada this August for the annual Ivan Hlinka under-18 championship which Canada has dominated because it's the best vs. best.

Morrissey and other underagers in this tournament like Kootenay's Sam Reinhardt will compete this time against players in their own age group.

Canadian fans should be proud of this team who with a little puck luck would have been in the final against Sweden (The U-S hammered the Swedes 7-0 in the final). Although Canada lost both games against the gold medal American squad (5-3 in the preliminary round and 2-1 in the Semi Final), they were the only team to score against the U-S.

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The Americans usually win this tournament because they build their team for two years putting together the best 16-year-old players from around the country in the National Development Program. Their 16-year-old's from this season will take on Morrissey and company at the Hlinka tournament.

I have no doubt Canada would win most if not every year if they went the same route as the Americans. However that would mean Raider fans wouldn't have seen players like Mark McNeill, Josh Morrissey, Hunter Shinkaruk or even Ryan Nugent-Hopkins until they turn 18, if at all.

I say let the Americans have the World Under-18 and Under-17 challenge so we can continue watching the best 16-year-olds in Western Canada develop in front of our eyes. Next season in P-A we will get to see Reid Gardiner and Tim Vanstone while in two years, the player the Raiders take 2nd overall in the May 3rd Bantam Draft will be “the next one”.

dwilson@panow.com