Samuel Montembeault and Justin Barron of the Canadiens will represent their country at the next Men’s World Championship, Hockey Canada announced this Friday morning. In addition to Montembeault, four Quebecers will also be part of the training.
It was already known that the native of Bécancour would defend the Canadian net. The presence of Barron, however, represents a certain surprise. Among the defenders, at the end of the season of the Habs, the eyes were rather turned towards Mike Matheson. We deduce, however, that the Montrealer has skipped this competition.
Montembeault went 16-19-3 last season. His save percentage was .901 and his goals-against-average was 3.42.
Barron, 21, played 39 games in 2022-23, scoring 4 goals and recording 15 points. If defensive deficiencies persist in his game, his attacking talent has undoubtedly shown itself during the winter – although his production has run out of steam at the end of the course.
A former Canadian, Tyler Toffoli, will also be there. With the Calgary Flames, he just set career highs of 34 goals and 73 points.
Quebec is well represented in the selection announced Friday. Devon Levi, of the Buffalo Sabres, will complete a fleur-de-lis goaltending duo. Defender Pierre-Olivier Joseph (Pittsburgh Penguins) as well as forwards Samuel Blais (St. Louis Blues) and Joe Veleno (Detroit Red Wings) were also selected.
On offense, we also notice the presence of Adam Fantilli, who is expected to be one of the first players chosen in the next NHL Draft. Lawson Crouse, Cody Glass, Peyton Krebs, Scott Laughton, Milan Lucic, Jack McBain, Jake Neighbors and Jack Quinn are the other forwards. Rounding out the defensive squad are Ethan Bear, Tylers Myers, Jake Walman and MacKenzie Weegar.
The World Championship kicks off next week in Riga, Latvia and Tempere, Finland.