WJC Update: McIsaac Makes Team, Veleno Survives Another Round of Cuts

As the start of the 2019 World Junior Championship inches nearer, teams have been finalizing their rosters. For the Red Wings, this means that some of their key prospects are either being sent back to their junior teams or sticking out in British Columbia.

The easy-to-predict one was Filip Zadina. When the Red Wings released him from Grand Rapids for the tournament, he immediately became a lock to make the Czech team. He’ll be one of four NHL-bound top prospects to headline that roster.

In addition to Zadina, Malte Setkov was always going to make the Danish roster.

Where it became hard to predict was on Team Canada, where the Wings had first round pick Joe Veleno and second round pick Jared McIsaac invited to try out. The Canadian team is stacked with talent that includes Gabe Vilardi, Owen Tippett, and Alexis Lafreniere. Honestly, I could go one forever naming top prospects that are going to be on this team. That Veleno and McIsaac’s names are thrown in the mix is really a testament to their level of talent.

Yesterday, the team’s defensemen were announced and McIsaac’s name was among them.

As one of the younger players on that blueline, McIsaac may find himself as the seventh defenseman. He may not be on the NHL bubble like some of his colleagues from his draft class, but his stats speak for themselves. Seven goals and 22 points in 23 games for a defenseman in the QMJHL is nothing to scoff at. I think there is a very real chance that he’s a regular on Team Canada’s blue line this year and next.

As for Veleno, he’s one of 15 forwards who will remain with the team through their pre-tournament games next week. Even though he’s a natural center, Bob McKenzie has listed him as a left wing in his tweets, naming his as one of four LWs still with the team. If I read too much into that, it means he made the team, as McKenzie listed five centers.

The team still has to release two players prior to December 25th’s deadline (what a nice Christmas gift that will be!) and are dealing with a couple injuries in Jaret Anderson-Dolan (wrist) and Gabe Vilardi (back). Veleno should be on this team and I can’t wait to watch him play beside some of these other prospects. He’s been lighting up the QMJHL with 22 goals and 54 points in 28 games. He was one of the few players that Team Canada granted exceptional status to.