After cuts, Jacob Bernard-Docker is final college player left with Canada's World Junior team

120319.s.gfh.docker.jpg — Jacob Bernard-Docker

By Brad Elliott Schlossman

December 13, 2019 at 1:14 AM

Jacob Bernard-Docker has cleared the biggest hurdle en route to making Canada's World Junior Championship team.

Canada cut nine players from its World Junior Selection Camp on Thursday and Bernard-Docker, a UND sophomore defenseman, is the lone college player left with Team Canada.

Bernard-Docker will head to Europe with the Canadian team, where the roster will be finalized.

There are currently seven defensemen left with Team Canada -- the exact number the Canadians will carry for the World Junior Championship, which is being held in the Czech Republic from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

Hockey Canada isn't calling it the final roster, though, in case the New York Islanders loan defenseman Noah Dobson for the tournament. If that happens, the Canadians would make one more cut on defense.

Bernard-Docker, who is from Canmore, Alta., is close to joining rare company.

Only 10 UND players have ever suited up in the World Juniors for Team Canada. All of them ended up playing in the NHL -- Tyson Jost (2017), Jonathan Toews (2006, 2007), Brad Bombardir (1992), Greg Johnson (1991), Jason Herter (1990), Geoff Smith (1989), Brad Berry (1985), Gord Sherven (1983), James Patrick (1982, 1983) and Troy Murray (1982).

Canada invited four college players to its selection camp, but cut three Thursday: Wisconsin forward Dylan Holloway, Boston College forward Alex Newhook and Quinnipiac defenseman Peter Diliberatore.

Bernard-Docker, a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2018, is off to a terrific sophomore season for No. 2-ranked UND.

He has three goals and 14 points in 17 games, while maintaining a plus-11 rating.

Bernard-Docker participated in the Canada's World Junior Selection Camp a year ago, but was one of the final cuts. Canada got knocked out by eventual champion Finland in the quarterfinals and did not medal.

If Bernard-Docker makes Canada's roster, he will miss UND's exhibition game against the U.S. Under-18 Team on Dec. 28 in Plymouth, Mich., and UND's final nonconference series against Alabama Huntsville on Jan. 3-4.

UND is expected to get defenseman Gabe Bast for those games.

UND rookie forward Shane Pinto also could be gone for those games. He will participate in Team USA's selection camp next week.

By Brad Elliott Schlossman

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year once. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.