Four players were released from Canada's 2016 IIHF World Junior team on Sunday. Forwards Michael Dal Colle, Spencer Watson, and Pierre Luc-Dubois will rejoin their respective junior teams along with defensemen Jakob Chychrun, according to Mark Masters.
The reassignments of Dal Colle and Chychrun come as the biggest surprise from Canadian coach Dave Lowry. Dal Colle is in his final year of junior eligibility with the Oshawa Generals, and was the fifth overall pick in 2014 NHL entry draft. It's the second time The New York Islanders prospect has been released from the WJC roster. Dal Colle has 23 points in 27 games with Oshawa, and is coming off back-to-back 90 point seasons.
The draft eligible Chychrun was the lone defenseman released on Sunday. The Sarnia Sting standout is a projected first-round pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft, and could go as high as the top five according to NHL Central Scouting. Chychrun, and Dubois were both considered long shots to make the team due to their age.
Sunday's cuts were made in order to make room for 19-year-old power forward Jake Virtanen, according to Bob Mackenzie. Virtanen's status for the tournament was unknown until the Canucks announced they loaned the forward to team Canada.
Before being assigned to the AHL Utica Comets for a conditioning stint, Virtanen scored once and added three assists in 19 games with the Canucks. Virtanen had four points in seven games while providing a physical presence at last years World Junior tournament.
2015 World Junior teammate Joe Hicketts spoke of what Virtanen brings to the team, saying, "He brings a power-forward element. He's a big, strong, smooth skater, who can shoot the puck well."
The Canadian roster could still undergo changes before the official roster freeze takes effect for all teams on Dec. 19. Team Canada will travel to Finland for exhibition games, where the IIHF tournament will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
Chychrun not made available to media, per Hockey Canada decision... 17-year-old was youngest D at camp and obviously upset to not make team
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 13, 2015
