Memories of Worlds: 1995 Canadians prove leaders of a great pack
Ben Kuzma
The Province
CANADA.COM
Best of the best.
That's how Canada's gold-medal winning 1995 world junior hockey tournament juggernaut is remembered.
In a poll released before this year's event, the star-studded team that went 7-0-0 in Red Deer, Edmonton and Calgary and outscored the opposition by a 49-22 count got the nod.
Included in the magnificent mix, which produced 18 NHL players, were four current members of the Canucks organization.
Goaltender Dan Cloutier posted a 3-0-0 record, defenceman Ed Jovanovski had two goals in seven games, Mike Johnston served as an assistant coach to Don Hay and minor-league blueliner Nolan Baumgartner played in all seven games.
"It was a huge thrill, especially when I wasn't even supposed to make the team," recalled Cloutier, who had a 2.67 goals-against average and teamed with Jamie Storr, who posted a 4-0-0 record.
"Everybody remembers we had all those players because of the NHL lockout but, as players, we just remember how good a team we had."
Cloutier had to earn a roster spot over the favoured Jocelyn Thibault, who had a shoulder ailment, and Eric Fichaud.
And the coaching staff couldn't decide whether to include power winger Brett Lindros or go with some guy named Eric Daze.
The latter finished with eight goals and five power-play goals, which still stands as a tournament record.
Marty Murray and Jason Allison each had a 15-point tourney -- three shy of the Canadian record held by Dale McCourt -- and former Canuck Bryan McCabe was named top defenceman after bagging 12 points.
Cloutier said the process of making the team and excelling under tremendous home-ice pressure prepared him for the rigours of pro hockey.
"It was huge," said Cloutier who is tied for the NHL lead in wins with 20. "First, you come into camp as an underdog and you just want to make the decision tough on the coaching staff.
"I had really good camp but still didn't think I was going to make it because of what [Thibault and Fichaud] had proven in the past. I was really happy that they were fair with me and picked the guy who had the best camp. That doesn't always happen."
Cloutier played in a 6-4 win over Finland, a 4-3 decision over Sweden and 9-1 rout of Germany as the Canadians -- buoyed by seven returnees from the '94 team that won gold in the Czech Republic -- showed too much poise for the opposition.
Another challenge for Cloutier came after claiming gold. Still weary from celebrating, he was met at the Toronto airport the next day by a Sault Ste. Marie junior team official and driven to Ottawa -- where he "got shelled," allowing eight goals in an OHL loss to the 67s.
That never happened in the tourney.
"From the moment we hit the ice the chemistry was there," said Jovanovski. "Our biggest test was the Czech game [7-5 win] but I didn't play that much.
"I don't think I was a favourite of Don Hay. I didn't have a beef with him but I scored two goals in 14 seconds against the Germans and didn't play the rest of the game.
"I don't where Lee Sorochan is today but he played a ton on defence and Chad Allan played a bunch, too."
Regardless, being draped in gold and donning a goofy red cowboy hat in Red Deer is something Jovanovski won't forget.
"On under-17 and under-18 teams I always got looked over, so it ranks right up there. Especially at that age and playing in Canada and to do it in front of your own fans is something special."
The NHL lockout ensured Team Canada would be special with 14 first-round picks in the lineup.
Key performers were Alexandre Daigle, Jeff Friesen, Ryan Smyth, Todd Harvey, Jamie Rivers, Jeff O'Neill, Wade Redden, Larry Courville, Denis Pederson and Darcy Tucker.
"We played Russia [8-5 win] and still had to play Sweden but they lost that night to Finland," said Johnston. "We actually won it as we were walking out of the rink. We went back in the dressing room because the Finns had tied the game. We won it on TV. Was it as thrilling? Yeah, it sure was."
JET-SETTER
There was the memorable 3-2 semifinal win over Russia and the unforgettable 2-0 championship victory over the U.S. However, Trevor Letowski will never forget the trip home from Switzerland after capturing world junior gold with Canada in 1997 -- the last time our team went all the way.
"It was unreal," said the Canucks winger. "The Ciccarellis owned the Sarnia Sting and Rob Ciccarelli came all the way to Switzerland to watch. He was on the same flight as us going back home. We connected in Toronto and a lot of junior teams then sent their guys home because they didn't get any time off at Christmas. So, I figured I'd be going home."
That's when it got goofy for Letowski, who had two goals and an assist in seven games as Canada claimed its fifth-consecutive title in Geneva.
"It's 3 p.m. and Rob is like, 'Would you play tonight?' I'm thinking: 'Holy s---'" chuckled Letowski. "He said the fans would love it. We got into Sarnia at 4:30 and went straight to the rink. My gear was soaked with champagne. It was hilarious.
"I didn't have a warm-up. The crowd gave me a huge ovation. It's one of the best memories."
For the record, Letowski had four points that night in a 7-2 OHL win over London.
HONOUR ROLL
Others in the current Canuck organization to represent Canada are: 2001: (Brandon Reid), 2000: (Tyler Bouck, Reid), 1999: (Bryan Allen, Bouck), 1998: (Matt Cooke, Zenith Komarniski), 1996: (Nolan Baumgartner), 1994: (Johnston), 1988: (Trevor Linden), 1981 (Marc Crawford) and 1978 (Steve Tambellini, Stan Smyl).