WJHC Team Canada Preview, Habs' Fan Speaks Out, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Sure, the holidays are upon us, but more importantly, the World Junior Hockey Championships are around the corner. This tournament, which emerged from relative obscurity in the late 70's and early 80's, has become a holiday tradition in households across Canada.

This year's edition of Team Canada, which kicks off tournament preparation this morning at 9:30 A.M., is loaded with talent. The NHL Lockout has afforded Team Canada the likes of Oilers' budding superstar Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Bruins' prospects defenseman Dougie Hamilton and goaltender Malcolm Subban.

While this team doesn't have nearly as much talent as its lockout predecessor in 2005, it still has the necessary talent to make another for gold. Habs' fans will be watching this tournament with great interest, as Canadiens' prospect Charles Hudon is among the 23 man Team Canada roster. They'll also be keeping a close eye on Team USA, and Habs' first round pick in 2012, Alex Galchenyuk, who, going into the tournament, has been tearing up the Ontario Hockey League.

Here is the full Team Canada roster:

Forwards: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Scheifele, Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Strome, Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, Charles Hudon, Boone Jenner, Anthony Camara, Phillip Danault, J.C. Lipon, Brett Ritchie, Ty Rattie

Defence: Morgan Rielly, Dougie Hamilton, Griffin Reinhart, Xavier Ouellet, Scott Harrington, Ryan Murphy, Tyler Wotherspoon

Goaltenders: Malcolm Subban, Jordan Binnington, Jake Paterson

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- Patrick Scebba, Habs' fan extraordinary, lashes out about how the NHL lockout, the third in his young lifetime, has affected him.

- It seems NHL players aren't only locked out on this side of the Atlantic, as reported by Hockey Badasses.

- Finally, Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times explains how the Lightning are starting to lose some season ticket holders.

Posted in: charles hudon,damian cristodero,dougie hamilton,fans,habs,malcolm subban,NHL Lockout,patrick scebba,ryan nugent-hopkins,Sweden,team canada,WJHC