The Daily Faceoff Show: Kent Johnson left off Canada’s opening 25-man Olympic roster

Ever since the NHL pulled its players out of the 2022 Olympics amid COVID concerns, many questions have been asked about who would be competing in Beijing in February.

There were many schools of thought on how roster construction could work.

The approach that Team USA took was to lean on young players, who even if they lack pro experience up to this point in their careers, are considered potential future stars.

With an average age of 24.64-years-old, Team USA will ice the youngest team in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament.

Hockey Canada took a different approach.

Led by GM Shane Doan and head coach Claude Julien, Canada decided to lean more on veteran players who have played in the NHL in the past, but who are currently without contracts.

Canada’s roster will be anchored by Eric Staal (37). Its defense is led by Jason Demers (33). Canada’s roster also includes NHL veterans David Desharnais (35), Adam Cracknell (36) and Jordan Weal (29).

While Canada didn’t entirely go with a veteran roster – it did take Owen Power, the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft – there were some surprising decisions made on its opening 25-man roster.

Daily Faceoff’s Chris Peters says no omission to the 25-man roster was more surprising than University of Michigan center Kent Johnson, who was drafted fifth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets last summer.

Johnson has 30 points in 23 collegiate games this season.

While Johnson was named as one of Canada’s six alternates and could very well end up seeing action in Beijing, Peters was surprised he didn’t crack the opening 25-man roster.

Peters: “I thought for sure he’d be on this team. I think he’s one of the most skilled players in the tournament who’s not on a roster right now. I think what he’s done at the University of Michigan this year, the strides that he’s made from one year to the next.

“The fact that he’s had COVID, recovered from it and came back and really didn’t miss a beat. He’s been producing at a high level. Played well at the very-brief World Juniors.

“That’s a guy where I say, you know, you look at some of the other players. Josh Ho-Sang, similar in terms of his play-making ability and skill.

“Hasn’t had the reps necessarily with Hockey Canada. The experience level had an impact with why Kent Johnson didn’t make it.

“If I was picking that team and kind of using that philosophy the USA used…he’s a guy I think could make a sizable impact on this team.”

You can watch the full episode of The Daily Faceoff Show here…