Sleepless Night UPDATED

Early tomorrow morning, the final cuts for Team Canada’s world junior team will get a phonecall. The merciful coaching staff make the cuts early so the kids can hit the airport and (hopefully) avoid the media.

Two Edmonton Oiler prospects played tonight (against a team of CIS All-Stars) and will be watching late night television, counting minutes along with the clock radio and waiting for the phone to ring. Or not. 

The Canadians dominated against the CIS team this evening (as you would expect). Oilers prospects got in on the action, Curtis Hamilton played with Riley Sheahan and Sean Couturier on TC’s third line (had a goal and an assist) and played well by all accounts.

Bob McKenzie gave excellent updates all evening here. Olivier Roy played half the game for the CIS team, giving up 2 goals on 24 Team Canada shots.

I’d guess that Hamilton makes the team and that Roy barely misses out (Visentin and Pickard have been strong) but you never know at the World Junior camp. I recall Mike Comrie and a few other Oiler prospects being fairly disappointed at being sent away over the years.

The original invite story about the two Oiler prospects is here.

Here are a few World Junior performances by current and former Oilers over the years:

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UPDATE

Both Oilers made the grade. It looks like Curtis Hamilton will be part of the TC’s checking line and Roy is in the mix for work in goal. Oiler fans will also get a chance to see Sean Couturier, a strong candidate for #1 overall in next summer’s draft. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t make the grade. The story of the cuts is here.

I’ll be keeping track of Oiler prospects who will/could play with other nations at the World Juniors this year in the coming days.