Irving, Hamill cut

Team Canada announced its team for World Juniors this morning and it was bad news for both of Everett’s attendees as center Zach Hamill and goaltender Leland Irving didn’t make the cut. That’s a tough blow for a couple of players who have been part of the Hockey Canada setup since they were 17, especially Irving who was a member of the team last year but didn’t play.

With Irving and Hamill returning, it means Everett will lose no players to international tournaments this holiday season (prospects Kellan Tochkin, Brett Chartier and Paul Sohor are going to the U-17s). Hamill and Irving are expected to be available for tomorrow’s game at Tri-City.

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UPDATE 4:45 p.m.

Just got back from practice. Irving and Hamill both were back from Calgary in time to participate. Both sounded disappointed at not making the team. Irving in particular seemed down, which is understandable considering he was a part of the team last year.

Hamill recounted the somewhat horrific story of the process of finding out. He was called in at 6:45 this morning and given the news, and when he exited the room there were several television cameras right there at the door waiting for reaction. But that’s hockey in Canada for you.

I’m a little surprised but not shocked that neither guy made it. Neither is having an exceptional season, and Canada is a country so deep in talent that if you’re not at you’re best, you’re going to get passed.

Irving and Hamill getting cut means Everett loses NO ONE to any international tournaments this season, either the World Juniors or the U-17s. That’s a first in franchise history, and theoretically it should give the Tips an advantage from now through the first week of January. We’ll see if it actually plays out that way.

One other note. Former Tip Jeremy Creurer skated with the team in practice today. Creurer, who had his hockey career cut short because of concussions, is in town visiting his former billets. He’s hard to recognize without his hair.