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Dream come true: Anthony Duclair is savouring hometown World Junior Hockey Championship

Dream come true: Anthony Duclair is savouring hometown World Junior Hockey Championship

MONTREAL — Before the game even started, when his name was called, the crowd gave him rousing welcome.

Anthony Duclair had returned home.

The NHLer was back in his hometown, in the Bell Centre, the Mecca of hockey in Quebec, playing with Team Canada. The game was a blowout; a 8-0 victory over Slovakia in Canada’s opening game of the tournament being held simultaneously in Montreal and Toronto.

The 19-year-old scored Canada’s second goal and assisted on another.

[Buzzing the Net: Max Domi demonstrates 'Canadian hockey' with inspired effort]

Having not played before for Canada at the world juniors, the idea of returning to play in the marquee Christmas-time event in his hometown was an exciting prospect and something he said he had always dreamed of doing as a kid.

"It’s amazing," said Duclair. "Growing up here in Montreal, it’s incredible and every time I watched the Habs it was a special feeling. For myself, playing in my hometown it’s a special feeling and to score in my hometown is incredible."

Duclair, who played for the Quebec Major Junior League’s Quebec Remparts, had earned a spot in the NHL with the New York Rangers to start the season. It was a surprise, though the 19-year-old proved time and again that he was able to handle the rigors of pro hockey.

(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The 10-day tournament is no different, with Duclair’s linemates Max Domi and Sam Reinhart not only contributing offence, but being responsible defensively, too. And that was not lost on head coach Benoit Groulx who praised the line’s work effort – even when the score was 5-0 and the game well in hand.

"I think we saw Duclair at one point coming from the top circle in (Slovakia’s) zone taking the puck away from their team at our blueline and turning that puck and re-attacking on the other side," said Groulx. "I think it’s a good sign and it's easy for certain guys to pass on that or pretend that we're not coming back – the game is away – but I like the fact that even at (5-0) we had that effort on our team."

[World Junior Hockey Championship: Scores & schedule | Standings | Teams]

There wasn't much that Canada could take out of a result like this one. At best it was an ego boost in their first game of the tournament and an affirmation that the scoring could run deeper than just the top two lines. In the last two tournaments – in Russia and Sweden – getting secondary scoring has been a major problem for Canada.

"It's a confidence booster, but at the same time we have to stay humble," said Duclair. "We have to focus and turn the page for tomorrow because you can never get too high or too low in this tournament."

Wunderkind Connor McDavid, 17, was held scoreless in the game and it hardly mattered.

At last year's tournament in Malmo, Sweden, the Slovaks scared Canada taking a 2-1 lead into the third period before the Canadians scored three unanswered goals to win the game. Martin Reway, who is playing in his third straight tournament for Slovakia, said he had told his teammates that despite Canada's big names, history had shown their team could still compete.

"It’s kind of embarrassing for me because it's my third year here and we've always played a tight game with them,” said Reway, of Canada. "That's what I told the guys before the game. We all know they're good, but you can play with them. They're just human."

[WJHC SLIDESHOW: Best of Day 1 photos]

Goaltender Zach Fucale, who hails from the Montreal suburb of Rosemere, managed to stay mentally alert despite only facing 12 shots.

"Anthony (Duclair) is playing in the NHL and Zach is pretty close to the NHL as well," said Reway, who played for Groulx with the QMJHL's Gatineau Olympiques. "All their players are future stars of the NHL. It's just a big experience for the guys and for me as well to play against these guys."

Canada will face Germany on Saturday in what has all the makings of another rout. Goaltender Eric Comrie will start for that contest before Canada gets an off day on Sunday.

"You can't allow yourself to be complacent," said Groulx. "We're very happy the way we came out of the gate … but it's only one game and now it's over. We've got to refocus and prepare for tomorrow."

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