Although it was a bit of a long shot that he’d ever be released, Team Canada will be without New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson for the World Junior Hockey Championships, which begins on Dec. 26.
Dobson was speculated to be in the mix, but has taken on a larger role with the Islanders with Nick Leddy out of the lineup due to injury.
Canada already named seven defencemen to its roster, and Dobson’s exclusion is good news for Erie Otters standout Jamie Drysdale, who was rumoured to be the odd man out if the Islanders blueliner was added to the roster.