Thursday, December 14, 2006

TAVARES, ESPOSITO CUT FROM JUNIORS

Oshawa Generals phenom John Tavares was among the 11 players cut from the Canadian junior men's hockey team this morning. So was the Quebec Remparts' 17-year-old sensation, Angelo Esposito.

Also among the cuts was Kingston Frontenacs forward Chris Stewart. No real surprise there, since Team Canada selectors really haven't taken a shine to power-forward types -- and the results bear them out. Stewart's size -- 6-foot-1, 235 lbs. -- makes him a real presence in the offensive zone in the Ontario Hockey League (and will someday for the Colorado Avalanche), but it's hard to see him in a checking role, especially on the bigger European rinks.

The Frontenacs did miss him in last night's 7-6 overtime loss to Belleville, though with four power-play goals, it's hard to see where scoring was the problem last night.

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