Yesterday, Team Canada made its final cut from its World Juniors roster, releasing Gabe Vilardi from camp. Vilardi participated in several practices, as well as skating on his own, but it appears that questions about his health and lingering back issues were too great for the Canadian team to overlook.
Vilardi missed the final game in his five-game conditioning stint in Ontario. The hope was that it was a minor setback and that he would be able to participate in World Juniors. He missed the first half of last season in the OHL, as well as last year’s World Juniors tournament, due to injury; Vilardi played his first game of the season for the Kingston Frontenacs on January 5, 2018.