Centreville goalie seeks gold at worlds

By Patrick Moore
Special to the Kings County Advertiser
NovaNewsNow.com
TQS Contributor

Brandon Whitney hopes to take home gold from the world under 18 tournament in the Czech Republic after a disappointing playoff appearance.

The Centreville native said he is excited to play for Canada.

"It's my first time to Europe. Looking forward to the tournament. It's an honour to play for Canada and I expect it to be fun."

Whitney played in three playoff games for the Victoriaville Tigres, giving up 12 goals in the short series.

The Tigres were considered one of the top contenders in the QMJHL playoffs, but they fell very short of a championship or a spot in the Memorial Cup after the 13th place Baie-Comeau Drakkar eliminated the Tigres in four games in the opening round.

"It was a big surprise. We really didn't give our all this year. Hopefully next year will be a better run."

In the 36 games Whitney played in this season for the Tigres, he has 22 wins, four losses and four overtime losses.

At least one of Whitney’s opponents is not surprised to see he got a spot on Team Canada.

“He’s a big kid that covers a lot of the net. He has very good work ethic and deserves that spot on the U-18s,” said P.E.I. Rocket forward Ben Duffy.

Tigres manager Jérôme Mésonéro said he hopes international experience will help Whitney play more consistently. He said it was inconsistency that eliminated the Tigres early in the playoffs.

“Our goaltenders failed in the first round, I don’t want to say that. But next year will be important. He needs to be more consistent next year. Hopefully we play better next year.”

Mésonéro also said this tournament will help Whitney going into his draft year.
“The main thing is that it’s for him, it’s his draft season. He worked hard all season, he had a good season.”

Whitney, who is ranked second for North American goalies, isn’t worried about the draft.

"I'm not really thinking about the NHL Draft right now. I still have a few weeks left of hockey, maybe. I will think about it after we're done."

Three QMJHL players named to Canada U-18 roster

Goaltender Brandon Whitney of the Victoriaville Tigres and forwards William Carrier of the Cape-Breton Screaming Eagles, and Anthony Mantha of the Val-d'Or Foreurs were named to Canada's entry for the upcoming IIHF World Under-18 championship, to be held April 12-22 in Brno and Znojmo, Czech Republic.

Whitney, draft eligible this year, had a very solid season, with a record of 22-4-4 and a .896 save per centage. He will battle Spencer Martin of the Mississauga St Michael's Majors and Matt Murray of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds for the starters job.

Carrier, an offensive center in Cape Breton, will be asked to step up not only offensively. but as leader as well, being one of the older players on the roster. He stepped up big for the Screaming Eagles in this years playoffs against the overpowering Saint John Sea Dogs, registering three goals and three assists while being swept in the first round.

Meanwhile, Mantha, Val d'Or's big winger. will be expected to use his size (6-3, 178-pounds) to overpower the opposition. Team Canada assistant coach Gordie Dwyer, of the P.E.I. Rocket, really likes big, strong players, so expect Mantha to be an unsung hero on this years squad.

First up for Team Canada is Denmark on April 12. They will also play the Czech Republic, Finland, and of course their biggest rivals the United States in the preliminary round.

TSN/RDS will broadcast the Canada versus U.S.A. game on April 17, as well as the semifinals April 20 and the medal games on April 22.

jonathan@theqspot.ca