WJC 2011: Jack Campbell Heads to Team USA Camp

by Brad Gardner on Dec 17, 2010 11:08 AM CST in Dallas Stars News

Last year when the WJC began in Saskatoon, the soon-to-be Dallas Stars first round pick Jack Campbell was not thought of us the main man in the pipes. A year later he's being described by the Canadian media as the one who broke Canadian hearts. He will try to win the starting job (and is favored to do so) in competition with Andy Iles of Cornell Universality.

Those two are part of eight Americans returning from last years gold medal roster and this year they get to try to repeat on United States soil as the tournament will take place in Buffalo, NY at HSBC Arena (the Sabres are going on the road).

Camp is scheduled to start today with lots of practice and several exhibition tune up games along the way. The tournament gets started Sunday, December 26th.

We followed the tournament eagerly last year, overcome with patriotism, or looking forward to the Olympics, or else just kind of wanting to see Team Canada get beat because it's so important to EVERYONE up there, but this year we'll follow along on NHL Network because one of our own, Mr. Campbell, will take center stage for Team USA being the most recognizable name returning.

Dallas has no prospects on team Canada. Reilly Smith was invited to camp but did not make the final roster, and Scott Glennie, Stars first round 2009 pick, was not even invited this year.

When you're not watching Team USA, check out Sweden, whose roster could include two Dallas defensive prospects. Patrik Nemeth and John Klingberg are both on Sweden's preliminary roster, traveling to North America with the team to train at camp. With only 8 defensemen on that roster, it's a good bet at least one of them will see some action in the WJC, adding more Dallas intrigue to the tournament.

Do you like this story?

Comments

The thing I like about that quote

is that he at least recognizes the fact the goalies can be powerful trades in the market. Like we said before, Fowler initially dropped for a reason, and he was not thought to be playing in the NHL at this point. For the Stars, he would have been a long term project, and it wouldn’t have fixed the defensive problem immediately. Considering that Anaheim has the 3rd most goals allowed in the NHL, I venture to guess he’s not a huge superstar this year either (His stats aren’t fantastic… -6).

Joe was drafting for the future. In another 3 years, the Stars most likely will be looking for a new number 1 goalie to start making his way in, and Campbell could be that guy. And even if Kari is great and we trade Campbell, or vice versa, good goalies are the best bargaining chips come trade deadline.

The Stars will have a 3 game win streak within their first 6 games. Mark my words!

by Tsudbury on Dec 17, 2010 11:24 AM CST reply actions

Well fowler has 17 points

That’s two more than Robi who leads our D in scoring. Also his -6 isn’t really his fault, I’ve seen him play a lot this year for some reason and he’s very defensively sound. I think a lot of that -6 has to do with how much he struggled in the first month of the season but the whole Ducks lineup did. And since he started playing very well the team has gone from the basement of the west to 6th and climbing.

Oh by the way, I’m not saying he’s better than Robi by any stretch of the imagination. But since the next top scorer on the blueline is Trevor Daley with 10 points so 17 would be a nice addition.

In any case, I’m still not sure about whether it was the right move or not. Both would be for the future, it seems like Fowler would have made a big positive impact much earlier but I still really like Campbell and I think it’s important to have a goaltender like him in the system for a trade if it comes for that but more importantly so that we have a clear cut number 1 or a LA Kings-esque goaltender battle in the pretty near future

by brickwall5 on Dec 18, 2010 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

I was certainly surprised

at the frankness with which he answered the question.

Either way, I am really looking forward to watching this tournament this year. Last year was kind of my first time really paying a lot of attention to it and the style of hockey these kids play is pretty fun to watch. Defense and goaltending are relative terms in a lot of these games. You had goaltenders that gave up 5 goals and their performances were considered fantastic.

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Dec 17, 2010 12:22 PM CST reply actions

Actually

I watched quite a bit the year before last because I was on the lookout for Jamie Benn, who was looking good on Team Canada’s second PP unit.

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Dec 17, 2010 12:26 PM CST reply actions

Gotta admit.. if he's the US starter, I'll be cheering for the US a lot more than usual..

And considering ‘usual’ is, well.. never. I think it’s saying something. lol

Doesn’t hurt that there doesn’t seem to be much expectation wise on Team Canada either this year…

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.
GameTimeArt.net: A personal blog not on SBN that's just free and easy.
@GameTimeArt: Offending and/or boring sports fans one tweet at a time!

#KeepRichardsInDallas

by Art Middleton on Dec 17, 2010 12:31 PM CST reply actions

Canadian sandbagging ^^^^^^^

I expect Canada to win the gold.

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Dec 17, 2010 12:32 PM CST reply actions

;)

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Dec 17, 2010 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

Knock it off

You hosers. :)

by jabudi on Dec 17, 2010 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

I'm still baffeled

why they drafted Glennie in 09. They have one of the most solidified top six forwards in the league, and Glennie is too good to play third or fourth line minutes. I don’t see any immediate shift in 18-91-21 or 10-63-14 in the next two or three or maybe even four years.

Where does he fit in?

Something Clever.

by AA6 on Dec 17, 2010 3:10 PM CST reply actions

What they don't have

Is really fast, skilled, right hand shots, which is what they’re hoping Glennie can be.

So in theory, if he pans out and becomes a force on right wing, you can afford to move one of your lefty shots for something else you need. That draft was all about drafting fast players…something the Stars sorely lack as evidenced when they play COL, STL, etc… (and Edmonton, I have a feeling.)

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Dec 17, 2010 3:15 PM CST up reply actions