Guelph Storm's Jason Dickinson eyes kicking it up a notch in Team Canada scrimmages

Jason Dickinson is used to being the quiet one.

One mantra repeated ad infinitum during Team Canada's annual selection camp is that forwards have to adapt from a leading role in major junior to being one of 13 finely meshed gears up front. Dickinson, though, has grown used to putting the team first with his Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League. The 19-year-old anchored Guelph's second wave of attack during its run to the 2014 OHL crown while Robby Fabbri, the other Storm, freewheeled his way to playoff MVP honours.

"It's going to be on my mind to do the little things, but I think that's in my game," says Dickinson, who skated with the Oshawa Generals' Michael Dal Colle and Moose Jaw Warriors' Brayden Point during Saturday's pregame skate at Mattamy Athletic Centre, where Team Canada will play the CIS selects at 7 p.m. ET. "It's what I've been doing this year in Guelph that I think has made me successful and got me this invite. I just have to focus on continuing to play the way I play and not get wrapped up in trying to show off my skill. Just play my game and keep it simple.

"It was kind of my role, always, to be a two-way forward," the Dallas Stars first-round choice adds. "It was nice in Guelph that (Fabbri) could be that offensive guy and then there I was, with my line, being that two-way guy. I learned last year how important it was in getting [pucks] deep and having that 200-foot game. It was a good learning experience."

The Georgetown, Ont., native is among several forwards on the bubble for the final roster. Nothing is set in stone publicly, of course. The scratches up front for Saturday include Connor McDavid, who's yet to be cleared for contact while recovering from a hand fracture, returning centre Nic Petan and the projected scoring lie of Sam Reinhart, Max Domi and Anthony Duclair.

"Dickie has to be a three-zone player," Canada coach Benoit Groulx said of Dickinson. "He's got to get involved. He's got to play with [high] pace.

"We're all looking for them to do the same thing. They got to go out there, they got to be themselves since they're here because they're good hockey players. But they got to kick it up a notch, elevate their game a notch and they have to adapt. We have to see that they're adapting to what we ask.

"These scrimmages are important; we're 30 guys and soon we'll be 22," Groulx added. "Nothing's better than a game to see what a player can do on the ice for you."

Four Storm were at Canada's summer development camp in August, but only Dickinson and Fabbri have been brought back. Storm coach, Scott Walker, is one of Team Canada's assistants. Guelph assistant coach Todd Harvey won a world junior gold medal in 1995, so Dickinson was able to get a briefing on the experience of trying to represent his country.

"Just basically, they told me, 'enjoy it; don't get too wrapped up in the politics and what goes on outside the rink; enjoy the moment, enjoy being here and just play your game," Dickinson said. "I think I've become a lot more dangerous with the puck," adds Dickinson, who has 10 goals 4 points over 23 games in Guelph. "I've been using my shot a lot more this year; when I get opportunities I'm not looking to pass the puck right away, I'm looking 'shot.' "

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Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.