WJC2012: Pressure at home wasn’t the problem; now Canada looks ahead to Ufa

CALGARY — Perhaps it's the post-hoc guilt borne out worrying that we put too much pressure on Team Canada talking. Somewhere along the way, with this year's bronze-medal finish in Calgary tacked on to silvers in Buffalo, N.Y. and Regina, the belief has sprang up that going overseas for the world junior might galvanize the Great White North's team.

Next year Team Canada's bid for world junior redemption, so-called, means going 11 time zones east of Toronto to the industrial city Ufa, Russia, where their rivals could be going for a three-peat (UPDATE: The Russians will now go for their second gold medal in three years, having lost in overtime to the splendid Swedes on Thursday night). There is no way to know how many returning players Canada will have for Ufa. Thanks to the NHL, player availability is a moving target up until the eve of the selection camp. Forwards Jonathan Huberdeau, Boone Jenner, Mark Scheifele and Ryan Strome are eligible along with defencemen Dougie Hamilton, Scott Harrington and Ryan Murray. Harrington and Jenner, each NHL second-round picks, are probably the safest bets to return to junior hockey as 19-year-olds. In the here and now, the players who could go to Ufa next season say they don't buy into the idea that being at the centre of an often overcovered, overhyped tournament led to them bowing out of the gold-medal hunt. Good to know.

"Even when we're here, we're always spending time together, we're always together," Murray said after Canada secured the bronze by beating Finland 4-0 on Thursday. "I don't think it would be too different with coming together and being tighter because we live together for the whole month. There's not a lot of time away from each other."

Before the world junior became a tentpole event, Canadian teams had to take the fight to Europe nearly every year. Some of their most resounding triumphs, like the Theoren Fleury-led team that won in Moscow in 1988, came far from home. That era is bygone, of course. Canada will host in 2015, '17, '19 and '21, with the U.S. a strong possibility to host again in 2016.

Camping in Russia

Hockey Canada has a lot more resources now than it did back in the era when it was required to be road warriors. While it didn't get lot of press when it was announced, the plan is to hold the summer development camp in Russia, to help the players get an early taste of the 11-hour time difference.

"Hockey Canada really takes care of its players," says Murray, who's played in two under-18 events overseas. "They take a chef and they give you everything you need. They take really good care of you. I've been over a couple times and it's always good. It's always great to see another part of the world."

Hamilton, a Boston Bruins top-10 pick whom the NHL organization expects to turn pro next season at 19, could be in same boat Erik Gudbranson was this fall. Canada had Gudbranson at its summer camp, but he ultimately made the Florida Panthers.

"It would be pretty cool for us to go over there," said Hamilton. "If Russia wins [the gold on Thursday night], they could be going for three in a row. The summer camp is in Russia as well, so that alone will be a pretty nice opportunity."

Huberdeau, whom the Panthers chose No. 3 overall in June, and Strome, whom the Islanders took two spots later, could go pro at age 19, depending on how much each matures physically. There will be expectations in Winnipeg for Scheifele, who had two points for Canada on Thursday, to become a full-time Jet since he already played some games this fall. Murray, who was Canada's youngest player in this tournament, could go directly to the NHL at age 19 like Sweden's Adam Larsson did with the New Jersey Devils.

Meantime, based on what the players said Thursday, one should put to rest the idea playing in front of 18,000 red-clad Team Canada fans caused a collapse.

"It's better to have the crowd with us," said Huberdeau, who last spring helped his Saint John Sea Dogs go 13-1 in the post-season away from home en route to a Memorial Cup crown. "The crowd was unbelievable in Edmonton and Calgary, great, they did a really, really good job helping us. When you're representing your country, you want to win gold just as much, no matter where you are."

The pressure of playing at home is undeniable. Do keep in mind that it is a kick for a lot of the players who are used to playing in front of junior crowds of 3,000 to 4,000 with only a handful of media poking around. Sometimes people perform to expectations. Skating out in front of those huge crowds can be affirming: this is a big moment. It can be defining, not demobilizing.

"The media doesn't matter too much with pressure and stuff like that," Hamilton said. "And playing in front of your family and friends and your country is pretty special. That might be one of the most enjoyable parts of the tournament. To come to Western Canada and explore some of the country is pretty special, too.

"We kind of enjoyed it," Hamilton added. "I think it'll definitely be different in Russia with less media, less fans, but the goal will be the same, to win. If I get that opportunity next year, I'm going to be excited."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet (photo: The Canadian Press).