Scott Laughton is Captain Canada: the coast-to-coast

Combing all corners of the country and the blogosphere for your junior hockey headlines ...

World junior

Philadelphia Flyers first-rounder Scott Laughton will be Captain Canada come Friday's pre-competition game vs. Finland. (TSN)

With no Morgan Rielly, Matt Dumba just became that much more vital to Team Canada's defence. (Toronto Star)

A foot injury has forced Buffalo Sabres prospect J.T. Compher to withdraw from consideration for Team USA, where the Michigan freshman might have been an energy-line contributor. (Ann Arbor News, Sabre Noise)

WHL

Calgary Flames late first-rounder Morgan Klimchuk has signed his NHL entry-level contract. (Calgary Herald)

Every team who isn't Portland is down in average attendance compared to a season ago. Is that a problem? (Taking Note)

Despite an only-okay home record and a swath of injuries, Victoria is up in the top half of the Western Conference playoff pack at the break. (Victoria Times-Colonist)

The last word on the Brendan Leipsic suspension goes to Jon Whiting, who points out whatever one thought of the check's illegality, it wasn't a smart hockey play. (Let's Go Birds)

OHL

While Sarnia Sting defenceman Anthony DeAngelo "certainly wasn't out of place" at the Team USA evaluation camp, he's not on the roster headed to Europe. It's a tough team to make! (NHL.com)

Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Michael McCarron is finally feeling acclimatized to major junior with the London Knights. (London Free Press)

As noted in the Dynamic Dozen, Carolina Hurricanes pick Brock McGinn (minor wrist surgery) and Detroit Red Wings choice Tyler Bertuzzi (neck problem) will each miss the next few weeks. (Guelph Mercury)

Pittsburgh Penguins third-rounder Matia Marcantuoni is "getting close" to coming back to the Kitchener Rangers from his shoulder injury. Meantime, overage Paxton Leroux's time with the Blueshirts amounted to two periods, since he needs shoulder surgery. (Waterloo Record)

Belleville Bulls newcomer Alex Yuill seems cut out to be a "steady" defensive partner for Vancouver Canucks draft pick Jordan Subban. (Belleville Intelligencer)

Overage goalie Chris Festarini walked out on the Niagara IceDogs on Thursday, ceding the No. 1 job to 17-year-old Brent Moran. Festarini had a 4.20 average and .865 save percentage. (Niagara This Week, St. Catharines Standard)

Keep an eye on how young defenceman Connor Walters gets along as a Christmas call-up in Owen Sound. (Owen Sound Sun Times)

Speaking of the Sting, they are 1-0 in the Brandon Lindberg era. The young centre will get a chance at more ice time in Sarnia, whose win at Owen Sound put it into a playoff position. (Sarnia Observer)

The Ottawa 67's have only 12 of their final 34 games in their 'home' rink, which should buoy playoff hopes in Peterborough. (Ottawa Sun, Peterborough Examiner)

QMJHL

The city of Gatineau, Que., and the Olympiques have an agreement on a new $63.5-million arena that will hopefully be built for the 2015-16 season. The 'Piques are also eyeing a Memorial Cup bid for 2017, Canada's 150th birthday. (Le Droit)

Phoenix Coyotes draft choice Yan-Pavel Laplante could be the first big name on the move when the trading period begins Saturday. Reports indicate Victoriaville will get Laplante in return for a package that includes young defender Luc Deschenes and two high draft picks. (UniversHockey.ca)

According to Shawinigan GM Martin Mondou, Baie-Comeau's Steve Ahern is under the most pressure to pull off a deadline blockbuster. (Le Nouvelliste)

Last but far from least, power rankings! (Parlons Junior)

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.