Today’s topic was among the easiest to choose, and also among the most difficult to write.
Hockey Canada released Owen Sound defenceman Chris Bigras from their Selection Camp on Sunday, meaning the Attack defender will not play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship this year in Toronto & Montreal.
While I trust Hockey Canada’s judgment, there’s really no end to the levels of disappointment here.
First, I feel bad for Chris Bigras- the player
His World Junior action previously, primarily due to injury, wasn’t terrific, and now his intention to upgrade the experience has been stymied.
Second, I feel worse for Chris Bigras- the person.
To use a Christmas analogy, ” quiet as a mouse ” would certainly apply- a nice young men, who says very little and if he’s loud or boisterous with the Attack it’s certainly behind closed doors
Finally, I’m suspicious.
From the very beginning, the national journalists who come down from on high once a year to cover the World Junior Tourney stated long ago, Chris Bigras was a longshot to return to the Canadian team.
How would these people know ?
I’m not saying they’re limited, but most of them wouldn’t know a Junior Hockey player from Hank Williams Junior, so somebody, somewhere had to tip them off which means Chris Bigras probably had 4 days to reverse what might very well have been a pre-ordained decision.
For what it’s worth, I highly doubt this will impact Chris Bigras’ ability or his psyche. but the decision to bypass the Attack defender for the National Junior is still bothersome on many levels.
I’m Fred Wallace