Canada's coaching staff makes some shocking decisions ahead of game vs Czechia

Canada has a 'do or die' showdown against Czechia this evening and the hockey world is flabbergasted at decisions being made by head coach Dave Cameron.

Before we get into it... can we all just agree that Cameron was a HORRIBLE choice to head up this team? The team's roster decisions are baffling, he has been out-coached nearly every game and it appears that he's nothing more than a nepotism hire. His OHL team is 13th place in the league and he's chosen as the head coach for Team Canada? Hmmm... why's that? OH RIGHT... he coaches the Ottawa 67's and the tournament is in Ottawa. Another classic case of Hockey Canada playing politics again.

But, I digress...

Again, with tournament elimination on the line against Czechia this evening, it appears that Cameron and Canada's coaching staff has elected to scratch sniper Carson Rehkopf.

I think Jeff Marek puts it perfectly:

Cameron would probably scratch Rehkopf in favor of an ECHL grinder if he could...

Seriously, WHAT are we doing here, Canada?

You leave some of the most skilled players in Carter Yakemchuk, Michael Hage, Michael Misa and Beckett Sennecke off the roster in favor of grinders and penalty killers and then you allow the most PP goals against in the entire tournament? Again, WHAT are we doing?

It gets worse though...

Other coaches are apparently looking at Canada's decisions and are wondering the same things I'm wondering. In particular, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic reports that other pro coaches are baffled at Cameron's decision to cancel multiple team practices for Team Canada during this tournament.

Good grief...

At this point, I just want Canada to win in spite of their coaching. Just go out there, play your guts out and leave it all on the ice, boys.

It's just such a shame how far Canada's junior hockey program has fallen. It used to be that one of the biggest advantages Canada had over other countries was their coaching. Say what you want about the players, but no other country in the world can compete with Canada's wealth of coaching knowledge and experience. Again, it's a shame that that advantage can be completely undone by poor decisions from Hockey Canada's executive staff.