Anholt reflects on world junior disappointment

By Lethbridge Herald on January 8, 2025.

Herald FILE photo Hurricanes G.M. Peter Anholt reflected on a disappointing world junior for Canada.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Canes GM Peter Anholt was a part of Team Canada’s management group that saw the red and white bow out in the quarterfinals for a second year a row at the World Junior Championship in Ottawa last week and is something that didn’t sit well with him.

Anholt spoke to local reporters on Tuesday about the learning experience that Team Canada could take from it.

Anholt said the experience on the ice is one thing.

“There’s nothing greater than representing Canada at the world stage,” said Anholt.

“With that, if things haven’t gone perfect, things can turn and in some cases, ugly and it’s an experience. You learn from it. I feel bad for our players.”

Anholt addressed the noise around the losing.

“It’s either people trying to create viewership for themselves or make themselves self-important,” said Anholt.

Anholt said that part is really unfortunate.

“In that o ur country and everything’s kind of gotten to that,” said Anholt.

“I think it’s actually sad to be very honest with you.”

Anholt thought from the group, to the plan and the coaches were good.

“It just shows how hard it is to win at that level,” said Anholt.

 “There’s five or six teams that can win at that level, and it can turn at any time and ultimately we didn’t get it done and it doesn’t really sit well with me. But (it) doesn’t matter what people say, I feel sick because of us losing and I feel bad for the players, and the team and Team Canada. Nobody else really matters because they weren’t in the fight, they don’t know the details.”

Anholt was proud to see Canes defenceman Vojtech Port bring home the bronze medal with Czechia.

“That was awesome,” said Anholt.

“He played really, really well. I was really excited about seeing that. I hated to lose to his team but you’re proud of the player.”