Review of the 1990 Team Canada Junior

OldNord writes "The World Junior Championship is coming (dec26th – jan5th), great hockey games in perspective with the elite of each country on the ice. Until that the official selections will be choosen, a little historic about the past Teams Canada will demonstrate that a prestigious selection on Team Canada Junior would not necessarily mean a successful career in the NHL.

Let’s take a look at the edition of the 1990’s Canadian team.

Gold-Canada Silver-USSR Bronze-Czechoslovakia

Trevor Kidd-G-Selected by Calgary, 11th overall in 1990
Kidd never reached the expectations that Calgary found in him, they given up and trade him with G.Roberts to Carolina, he finally ended up in Toronto after three seasons with the Panthers.

Stépahane Fiset-G-Selected by Québec, 2nd rd, 28th overall in 1988
He played for Québec and followed his team-mates in Denver to finally be ousted by Roy in the offseason but he has grabbed a Stanley Cup ring as a back-up before his departure to LA. Despite a fine career punctuated of numerous injuries, he retired as a Hab in the indifference.

Adrien Plavsic-D-Selected by St-Louis, 2nd rd, 30th overall in 1988
This Montréal native played 214 games in the NHL (72 pts), especially with Vancouver with short stops in Tampa and Anaheim. He was in Europe (Zurich) in the LNSw. Seems retired.

Stewart Malgunas-D-Selected by Detroit, 4th rd, 66th overall in 1990
He played the majority of his professional career in the AHL/IHL. Drafted by the Wings, he only played in the minors for them, 129 NHL games divided between Philadelphia, Winnipeg Washington and Calgary. Was with Frankfurt Lions (DEL) last year.

Jason Herter-D-Selected by Vancouver, 8th overall in 1989
Probably one of the biggest bust in the Canucks is history, the guy only played one game in the NHL(95/96) in Long Island…got one assist. Passed four years in Europe ending his career with the Munich Barons (DEL).

Dan Ratushny-D-Selected by Winnipeg, 2nd rd, 25th overall in 1989
This defenseman played his whole career outside of the NHL, excepting one game with Vancouver (1ass,2pim). He’s especially a offensive d-man, who has been in the AHL/IHL, (I remember him with the Rafales de Québec). He passed the three last seasons with a Japanese, a Finnish and a British team.

Kevin Haller-D-Selected by Buffalo, 14th overall in 1989
Haller was an aggressive d-man in his own end. He seems retired after a respectable NHL career (642gp, 137pts, 907pim). He played for a lot of teams (Buf, Mtl, Phi, Hfd/Car, Ana, NYI) and had his best season with the Habs with 11g, 25pts and 117pim, he has won the Cup with them in 1993.

Patrice Brisebois-D-Selected by Montréal, 2nd rd, 30th overall in 1989
Breezer played all his career with the Canadiens and will be there until the fans booing him again I guess. He seems to have lost his offensive touch and being concentrated on his defensive play. He still a good passer. He has won the Cup in 1993. 15 is his best goals production and the injuries have often shorten his seasons.

Kris Draper-F-Selected by Winnipeg, 3rd rd, 62nd overall in 1989
He began his career with the Canadian National Team in 1988 (2 seasons).He participated in 20 games with the Jets and was traded to Detroit for future considerations. Good defensive guy who got three Stanley Cup rings so far. Great player to have on your third line.

Steven Rice-F-Selected by NY Rangers, 20th overall in 1989
Rice had a relatively correct NHL career, in majority with Edm and Har/Car (329gp, 125pts, 275 pim), only 2 games in the playoffs (NYR). After 1997-98 season, he disappeared (?). He played one season last year with the Cambridge Hornets (Ontario senior league).

Scott Pellerin-F-Selected by New Jersey, 3rd rd, 47th overall in 1989
After four seasons at the University of Maine (Hobey Baker trophy 91-92), this utility player began his career with the Devils and signed as a free agent four years later with the Blues. Between 2000 and 2003, he played for Minn, Car, Bos, Dal and Pho. Still active, playing this year with Portland in the AHL. 72g, 126a in 534games in the NHL.

Kent Manderville-F-Selected by Calgary, 2nd rd, 24th overall in 1989
He never played for the Flames who drafted him cause he was in the huge deal who brought Gilmour in Toronto. Manderville never reached his potential and became an utility player early (best season, 7g). Was the third/fourth line player in Tor,Edm,Car,Phi and Pit (104pts in 646gp). Still UFA.

Mike Craig-F-Selected by Minnesota, 2nd rd, 28th overall in 1989
Craig played the major part of his NHL’s career between 1990-97 with the North Stars and the Leafs. He had three seasons over 100pim. (550pim in 423gp). Still playing in Europe after five seasons in the AHL.

Mike Ricci-F-Selected by Philadelphia, 4th overall in 1990
Implicated in the Lindros is deal after two years with the Flyers, Ricci had his best offensive season at his first with the Nordiques with 78pts. Ricci is renowned for being an agitator who rarely stays in the fray, a loudmouth on the whole. Good all around player nevertheless with the Sharks. Should reach the 1000 gp mark this season. He engraved his name on the Stanley Cup in 1996.

Eric Lindros-F-Selected by Québec, 1st overall in 1991
What can I say about him apart from he’s the player that I respect the least in the league. The Lindros is saga was pathetic. He used to be an huge aggressive player before his numerous concussions. An excellent player a short time ago and now he seems to have lost his touch around the net. He still young and could bounce back but I doubt he will become again a “point by game” player. He won the Hart and the Lester B. Pearson awards in 1995.

Wes Walz-F-Selected by Boston, 3rd rd, 57th overall in 1989
Where this player come from? After short stays with Bos, Phi, Cgy and Det, Walz cut himself off from the America and went in Europe (three seasons). Minnesota came in the league and Walz grasped the opportunity at being an NHL player again. Since then, he’s a major part in the Wild’s success. Great defensive forward who can contribute at the offensive occasionally.

Dwayne Norris-F-Selected by Québec, 7th rd, 127th overall in 1990
Norris only been in the NHL for 20 games with Québec and Anaheim. This NF native is in Europe playing in a Germany league since 1996.

Stu Barnes-F-Selected by Winnipeg, 4th overall in 1989
Barnes is a good versatile player who can amass the points on a low depth team and assuming a defensive role on a well-to-do team. Barnes had his career year with Pittsburgh in 97-98 with a total of 30g, 35a for 65pts. He has participated in two Stanley Cup finals with Florida and Buffalo. The injuries slowed down his career.

Mike Needham-F-Selected by Pittsburgh 6th rd, 126th overall in 1989
Needham began his short NHL career two years after the Penguins picked him. With them, he played 81 games but the most important for him, he participated in the Stanley Cup conquest in 1992 (5gp, 1g). He was traded to Dallas (5gp) and retired in the Adirondack Red Wings uniform in 1996.

Dave Chyzowski-F-Selected by NY Islanders, 2nd overall in 1989
The biggest disappointment of all these players on this national team in the NHL. He worn the Isles jersey the year he was drafted but never break out (126gp, 15g, 16a, 144pim). He spent most of his time in the minor leagues including a brief stay with the Hawks. Since 2000, he plays in a German league.

Half of those players did a mediocre to acceptable NHL careers. Did I refresh your memories with some busts on your favorite teams that you would have prefered that they stay into oblivion…I hope you enjoy reading it.

Stay tune, 1991 following next…
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