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Top NHL draft prospect Nolan Patrick won't play for Canada at 2017 WJC
When Team Canada opens its selection camp next week in Blainville, Que., there will be one notable absence.
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick, widely considered to be a potential first-overall pick at the 2017 NHL draft, has not been cleared by doctors to participate in camp.
Nolan Patrick has not been medically cleared to attend the National Junior Team selection camp and will not play at @HC_WJC. No replacement.
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 6, 2016
The 18-year-old suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury early in the Western Hockey League season. He has only been able to suit up for six games in Brandon where he’s contributed four goals and five assists for nine points.
Late last month, Hockey Canada’s top scout, Ryan Jankowski, told Yahoo Sports that Nolan’s injury – and that of fellow forward Blake Speers – was the reason 19 forwards had been invited to camp. As a result, there is to be no replacement named for Nolan’s camp spot.
Speers was expected to see a doctor this week to get an update on his injured wrist. He had surgery in early November to repair a bone in his hand.
Hockey Canada has made is clear that players who can’t participate in camp will not get a pass to the final roster – no matter how good they are.
“What we’ve said is they’ve got to participate at our camp to be considered for our team,” said Jankowski in an earlier interview with Yahoo Sports. “Players have to earn their spots. So our plan is to leave (camp in) Blainville-Boisbriand with 22 players and name our team that day.”
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