The Coast-to-Coast: Soo's McCann still recouperating after viral infection

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

WHL

The poor Prince Albert Raiders were embarrassed 8-3 on Wednesday night by the Regina Pats. The Pats scored eight straight before the Raiders responded in the third period. Said Raiders defenceman Sawyer Lange after the game: “Going into the third period we came, we decided that we were going to play with some pride and some integrity … I’m sorry."  (Prince Albert Herald)

BTN's Kelly Friesen takes a look at the competition for the goaltending spot open on Team Canada. Right now Edmonton's Tristan Jarry and Tri-City's Eric Comrie are ahead of the pack in the WHL. (BTN)

Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province with a good piece looking at the amount of games Canada's elite young hockey stars are playing. Do they need a break? (Vancouver Province)

Fan favourite Curtis Lazar is returning to Edmonton, though it won't be the Oil Kings. The Ottawa Senators forward is facing the Oilers tonight. He's still without his first NHL goal, so what better place to pot it than in his former home rink? And on Wednesday he spent the day with his former teammates: "I'm going to be an Oil King for a day again," he said, gleaming. "I'm going to the rink, and probably watch the guys practice. Then I'll hop in with my old billet and go back to his house. Get a nice home-cooked meal from my old billets, just hang out and spend some time with the people." (Ottawa Sun)

Goaltender Justin Paulic is hoping things are looking up for his Moose Jaw Warriors. The 19-year-old netminder managed his first win since late October with a 31 save effort on Wednesday night. (Moose Jaw Times Herald)

Everett Silvertips winger Dawson Leedahl could be back from his knee injury ahead of schedule. (Everett Herald)

In more Everett news: Logan Aasman scored a goal, "reached onto his back, grabbed a fictitious monkey, and threw it to the ice..." (Everett Herald)

OHL

Jared McCann is making progress after missing the Soo's last three games with a "viral infection." The Soo star had suffered from mono earlier in the season which caused him to miss four games, so the team is erring on the side of caution. “It's been very frustrating,” said McCann. (Sault Star)

Connor McDavid! will miss the next 5-6 weeks after engaging in a fight with Mississauga captain Bryson Cianfrone. That timetable means he should be ready to for Canada at the world junior championships, though it's cutting it close if his rehab goes the distance. (BTN, The Canadian Press)

Connor McDavid! is still a good hockey player. (Brock Press)

Erie Otters owner Sherry Bassin is being sued by the Edmonton Oilers - reportedly over a deal to sell the team that went south. (Go Erie)

Like the Oshawa Generals, Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning is also pleased with the start prospect Cole Cassels has had in the OHL this season. (Vancouver Sun)

North Bay Battalion forward Nick Paul is hoping to use the Super Series to get on Hockey Canada's radar for the final world junior selection camp next month. (Ottawa Citizen)

Oddly enough, Sudbury's Nick Baptiste is also trying to do the same thing by impressing Hockey Canada. (Sudbury Star)

Luke Burghardt who is used to playing in front of tens of fans will get a chance to suit up for the Guelph Storm in front of thousands. (Guelph Mercury)

Jeremiah Addison is enjoying a fresh start in Ottawa with the 67's. (Ottawa Sun)

QMJHL

Winnipeg Jets prospect Nikolaj Ehlers continues to lead the Halifax Mooseheads offence. On Wednesday night he had a hat trick and the shootout winner. (BTN, QMJHL Roundup)

It was perfect timing for Ehlers as Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was at the game against the Titan. “We really try to get out to watch all of our prospects whenever we can,” Cheveldayoff said. “It’s great when you see something like that but you’re watching a lot of the little things in the game as well. We know he’s a talented player and we know he’s really driven and he obviously has a lot of hockey sense. The sky’s the limit.”

The hand injury to Connor McDavid has QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau thinking about ways to improve the safety of his own league in regards to fighting. (La Presse - en francais)

Chicoutimi's Alexandre Ranger is ready to return to the lineup after sitting out with an undisclosed injury. (Journal de Quebec - en francais)

Armada overager Marcus Hinds is a victim of the numbers game for Blainville-Boisbriand - he hasn't played since early Oct., through no fault of his own. (Journal de Montreal - en francais)