Travelling to Ufa, Russia, 23 talented junior players wearing the red and white Maple Leaf will face off against the best from other countries, and for the first time since 2005, Canada will have all eligible hands on deck due to the NHL lockout.

Captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will lead Team Canada into the World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia. The tournament begins Boxing Day.  Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Whether this version of  Team Canada will be as dominant as that 2005 edition remains to be seen, but the depth of the Canadian roster this time around should have them on top of the world fairly handily.

The US and Russia will have top-end talent, but their depth cannot compete with Canada’s.  Defending champion Sweden was dealt a couple of blows before the tournament began with injuries and the Ottawa Senators decision to keep Mika Zibanejad in Binghamton.

Those four clubs should be the top 4 when all is said and done, but there is always surprises in this tournament.  Over the next few days I will preview each team, highlighting top players to watch and potential for surprises.

Stefan Noesen was suspended for 10 OHL games for a hit to the head of Oshawa’s Tyler Hore, and when the tournament opens on Boxing Day, will still have 7 games remaining in the suspension.

The IIHF honors suspensions from other leagues for international play and as a result, Noesen has been deemed ineligible to play for Team USA, despite the appeal of USA Hockey.

Noesen was the sole remaining candidate to represent the Senators in Ufa, Russia, after Mika Zibanejad was not released from Binghamton by the Senators, while Cody Ceci and Matt Puempel were left off the Canadian selection camp.