Welcome to Prince George home of the “Snubbed” Cougars.
(Actually the Cougars never even made the snub list but more on that later).
The Cougars may be too young to know of the late Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) but there is a similarity.
Dangerfield was a comedian known for the catchphrase “I don’t get any respect!”
One can excuse the P.G. Cougars if they feel they don’t get any respect.
Hockey Canada selected 12 WHL players and 32 overall, but none from the B.C. Division leading Cougars to attend the World Junior Selection Camp which runs Dec. 11-14 in Blainville, Quebec.
(The top 22 players will wear Canadian colors at the World Junior Tournament that starts on Boxing Day in Toronto).
The (19-6-2) Cougars, ranked in the CHL top 10 each of the last 10 weeks, had four legitimate candidates.
Of course it was unrealistic to expect most of the four to be given an invite but surely there could have been one.
Let’s see, forwards Jansen Harkins, Jesse Gabrielle and Brad Morrison are all averaging over a point per game this season.
Defenceman Brendan Guhle has already scored three goals in four games in a P.G. uniform since that blockbuster deal with the Prince Albert Raiders.
Hockey Canada’s Director of Player Personnel Ryan Jankowski stated in Prince George last month that Gabrielle’s robust game isn’t best suited for international hockey.
In other words, there are concerns he may take a needless penalty at a crucial time.
Gabrielle was not chosen to play for Team WHL in the 2016 Canada Russia Series which virtually sealed his fate that he was not going to be considered for the World Juniors.
I guess his 40 goals last season and 13 this season (in just 21 games) aren’t impressive enough but let’s move.
Morrison, Guhle and Harkins all made the grade on the Team WHL roster against the Russians which makes one curious why none of the three received an invite to the Canadian camp.
Morrison (27 points in 26 games) was a late add on to Team WHL roster for the games in Prince George and Edmonton which indicates he wasn’t one of the core players on Hockey Canada’s radar.
His size, listed at a generous six-feet, and just 170 pounds worked against him.
Guhle is an impressive skater and puck-handler who excels at both ends of the ice.
There is a reason the Cougars gave up plenty to acquire him.
It may have worked against Guhle that he played most of his junior career with the Prince Albert Raiders, not a high profile team and one that has struggled this season.
This brings us to Harkins (6 goals, 20 assists in 21 games).
If any Cougar was going to be picked Jansen was the logical choice.
He has an impressive history of wearing a Canadian jersey.
Internationally, Harkins suited up for Canada at the 2015 World Under-18 championship in Switzerland and the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
He also served as Team Pacific captain during the 2013-14 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Recently, Harkins was named Player of the Game for Team WHL in a 3-2 overtime loss to Team Russia November 7th at CN Centre.
This was the second straight season the 19-year-old Harkins played in the annual CHL Canada Russia Challenge.
He is arguably playing the best hockey of his career and has recorded at least a point in 16 of his past 18 games.
The Winnipeg Jets 2015 second round pick (47th overall) is 17 assists shy of setting a new franchise record for assists and 44 points shy of the all-time franchise lead in points.
Sure, Harkins may not be a pure goal scorer or possess a strong physical presence but winning teams need superb play-makers with excellent vision that are disciplined.
In the first game since the brush off, Harkins, Gabrielle and Morrison all picked up a goal and an assist and Guhle scored in the final minute of the third period in the Cougars 4-3 overtime win in Langley over the Vancouver Giants.
There is nothing wrong with playing with a chip on your shoulder.
In the Cougars case it should be encouraged.
By the way, Sportsnet.ca had a column this week that was headlined “WJC Power Rankings: Nine Team Canada selection camp snubs.”
And yes, you guessed it.
None of the Prince George Cougars even made that list. Wow!
On a broad spectrum, it is obvious the Cats have been given the cold shoulder.
Players and teams are always looking for extra motivation.
Forgive the Cougars if they adopt the slogan ‘It’s you and me against the world.’
From the Quote Rack:
With Fidel Castro gone, the world’s most notable dictator is
a)Kim Jong Un
b)Vladimir Putin
c)John Tortorella
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
So this year it’s the “Motel 6 Cactus Bowl,” (NCAA football game) on Dec. 27 in Phoenix. The winners all get a free night at a Motel 6, and the losers get two nights.
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Calgary Stampeders coach Dave Dickenson opted to run his 2nd string QB from the two yard line with seconds left in the Grey Cup game instead of handing the ball off to his best running back. They were stopped and subsequently lost in overtime. Somewhere, Marshawn Lynch just about choked to death on a mouthful of Skittles.
Comedy writer Tony Chong of Vancouver
As the Atlanta Braves prepare to move into their new home next year, they have acquired 43-year old Bartolo Colon and 42-year old RA Dicky this offseason. What is the name of their new place? Is it Jurassic Park?
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
And in case you missed it:
Three highlights from the European curling championships sponsored by Gruyère cheese:
3. The shot curd round the world;
2. The Brie-guard zone.
1. It came down to the last Roquefort.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat.
He also is the 94.3 radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
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