Pucks of a Feather
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The Anaheim Ducks Playing in the IIHF World Junior Championship

By Ciara Durant

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Adam Boqvist #3, Rickard Hugg #26 and Isac Lundestrom #22 of Sweden celebrate a goal versus Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Adam Boqvist #3, Rickard Hugg #26 and Isac Lundestrom #22 of Sweden celebrate a goal versus Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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VICTORIA, BC – DECEMBER 19: Maxime Comtois #14 of Team Canada skates during the warmup prior to a game versus Team Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 19, 2018, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Canada defeated Switzerland 5-3. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)”n”n”n”n
VICTORIA, BC – DECEMBER 19: Maxime Comtois #14 of Team Canada skates during the warmup prior to a game versus Team Switzerland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 19, 2018, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Canada defeated Switzerland 5-3. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)”n”n”n”n /

Max Comtois — Team Canada

Maxime Comtois is the only player returning to Team Canada’s WJC roster this year. The 19-year-old spent ten games with the Anaheim Ducks this season, burning off the first year of his ELC. After injury and a short conditioning assignment with the San Diego Gulls, he was sent back to Drummondville to spend the rest of the season with his junior team.

It wasn’t surprising when media sources reported that Comtois had been chosen to represent Team Canada as their captain this year. For the second year in a row, Team Canada’s captain is a player who does not currently wear the “C” for his junior team.

"“He’s a leader in the locker room. He’s a leader off the ice. He’s led all the way through this on all the little details and the mindset we want and he’s played like a leader on the ice so really felt comfortable with Max. I know him well and have a good relationship with him” –Tim Hunter, Head Coach of Team Canada"

Team Canada faced a barrage of struggled during the exhibition games leading up to the tournament, especially during their Sunday game against Finland. Their unfortunate 5-2 loss was a huge discouragement for the entire team. Luckily for them, it was only a tune-up.

Max Comtois, however, carried the blame for the loss on his shoulder. We saw a completely new team on the ice during Team Canada’s first game of the tournament, they didn’t put their feet on the breaks at all.

Comtois led his team in a 14-0 shutout against Denmark, scoring a hat trick plus another goal. Morgan Frost, a prospect of the Philidelphia Flyers, scored Team Canada’s other hat trick during their first game.

During their second contest, against Switzerland, Comtois had the secondary assist on Cody Glass’ goal, setting the pace for another Team Canada win, giving them a 2-0 record so far in the World Junior Championship.

The benefit of having a player like Max on the ice for Team Canda lies not only in his leadership skills and scoring ability. Comtois adds a physical flare to his game, which is helpful for making big hits and muscling the puck away from his opponents. Yet, he still remains poised when given the chance to be physical and use his size for the benefit of his team.

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