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.