SEASON MEMBER NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Edition 8, January 2021. #NorthernUprising 2021 WORLD JUNIORS RECAP The International game-winning in the Czech’s 2-0 Federation (IIHF) World Junior Hockey preliminary round win against the Championship in , AB was heavily favoured Russians. Koffer’s like no other. The 10-day tournament goal broke a scoreless deadlock in the was played at Rogers Place in the second period. The Czechs added Alberta capital and featured two another goal in the middle frame to seal Cougars. It was the first World Juniors the upset win. to be played without fans too. “That was the most important goal Filip Koffer and I’ve scored in my life,” said Koffer. “It Taylor Gauthier played for the Czech was a great experience for me and my Republic and Canada respectively. future career.” They were among the 10 teams that Koffer finished with the one goal were in the World Junior “bubble” for (1-0-1) in five games to go along with nearly two weeks, as the tournament two -minutes. He was one of the was played behind closed doors. It was Czechs’ better defensive forwards and Above: Filip Koffer celebrates after scoring agains a memorable tournament for both was a staple on their penalty-kill. Russia. Below: Taylor Gauthier was named one of three players, and for different reasons. “Filip is a very hardworking guy. He’s Team Canada goalies. Gauthier won silver, as Team Canada a power forward that every coach wants lost 2-0 to the United States in the gold to have on his team and we’re happy to medal game. The 19-year-old was one have him,” said Czech Head Coach of three on Canada’s Karel Mlejnek after the win against roster. He unfortunately did not get to Russia. play, as Devon Levi played all but one Koffer’s successful tournament led period in Canada’s seven games at the him to signing a professional contract tournament. Canada was nearly with HC Dynamo in the unbeatable, winning six of their seven for this season. Koffer games and outscored their opponents is eligible to return to the Cougars once 41-6. his season is completed. Koffer started Koffer and the Czechs finished this season playing for HC Stadion eighth, as they were knocked out of the Litomerice in the Czech2 League. tournament by Canada in the quarterfinals after a 3-0 loss. Despite that, it was a tournament Koffer won’t soon forget. Koffer scored the CATS AT NHL CAMPS NHL teams officially opened their Training Camps on Sunday alumni. After 16-seasons in the NHL with Nashville, Dallas, and and six former Cougars dot rosters across the 31-team league. Vancouver Dan Hamhuis retired. Zdeno Chara, after 14-seasons The NHL season opens on Wednesday, January 13th with five with the , signed as a free agent with the games, including Montreal at Toronto plus Vancouver at . Dustin Byfuglien continues to be away from Edmonton. The 56-game regular season runs until May 8th. but has yet to announce his retirement. There are no pre-season games. Below, is a list of alumni on NHL Training Camp rosters by The seven teams that did not qualify for the 2020 team: were permitted to open their Training Camps on : Brendan Guhle (2016-2017) December 31st. : Dennis Cholowski (2017-2018) The NHL realigned its divisions for the 2021 season, which : Brett Connolly (2008-2011) features an all-Canadian “North” division. The other three : Martin Marincin (2010-2012) divisions are the West, Central, and East. The top four teams in Washington Capitals: Zdeno Chara (1996-1997) each division will qualify for the , when each Winnipeg Jets: Jansen Harkins (2013-2017) round will be best-of-seven. This past offseason, there were several moves involving