It looks like Boxing Day will be jam-packed with Canucks action. While the big club obviously plays against the Oilers that night, two of it’s brightest prospects will take each other on in the World Junior Hockey Championship’s “Battle of North America”. Jake Virtanen was a slam dunk to make Team Canda, but today, it was confirmed that Brock Boeser will stick with the United States. Meanwhile, Lukas Jasek has been cut from the Czech Republic roster.

Jasek has had a rough season The 18-year-old sixth round pick has improved his production rates across HC Trinec’s organization, but has been unable to make the full-time leap to their top team that he’s hoped for. So far, he has a single goal and assist in 14 games in the ExtraLiga, to go with 16 points in six games in the U20 league.

The Czechs gave him a lot of opportunity to make the team, playing him in no fewer than seven exhibition games, including one against Virtanen and the Canadians this week. In that stretch, however, he was only able to score a single goal. Given his style of play, this wasn’t sufficient.

Boeser, on the other hand, has surpassed the already decently high expectations placed on him when he was selected 23rd overall this year. The right winger made the jump from the USHL to the NCAA, opting to play with the University of North Dakota, and has electrified scouts, fans, and teammates with 13 goals and 8 assists in 20 games. Boeser will join UND linemate Nick Schmaltz, who was drafted by the Blackhawks, in a scoring role on the USA roster. The two will likely have Ryan MacInnis playing on their left side, making up the third line.

As previously mentioned, the tournament starts on Saturday morning. Canada vs. USA starts at 11 AM, so make sure you don’t stay up too late tonight and tomorrow!