Links - McKenzie Intriguing competition at centre for Team - North River Minor Hockey Association

McKenzie Intriguing competition at centre for Team Canada LOGINREGISTERHELPYOU ARE NOT LOGGED IN NHLNBAMLBCFLNFLCurlingTennisGolfSoccerNASCARFormula OneIndyCar NASCAR Canadian Tire SeriesNationwideCamping WorldAuto RacingWorld JuniorsSpengler CupMenS WHCWomenS WHCHockey CanadaAHLBoxingCanada GamesCHLCISECHLFigure SkatingLacrosseMMANCAASkiingSummer SportsWinter SportsMoreOlympicsFantasyDaily LineShowsTSN TalentCommunityeotText SizeOf all the battles for spots on Canadas national junior team none is as intriguing as the competition at centreNow if Steven Stamkos John Tavares Matt Duchene and Ryan OReilly werent playing and staying in the NHL we wouldnt be able to say that That foursome would no doubt be Canadas starting lineup in the middleCanada is however blessed with abundant depth at this positionBut the key now is whether Cody Hodgson is healthy enough to play Hodgson who was considered by many to be the best player at last years tournament hasnt played a game this season because of a lower back problem The Vancouver Canuck first rounder is skating and skating hard with the Brampton Battalion in practice and has been cleared for contact but hasnt yet given himself the green light to play a game Hes simply not talking about itWith the national junior team camp opening up a week this Saturday there has to be some question as to whether hell be good to go If he is one would have to think hes the team captain and undisputed No 1 centre If notWell New Jerseys Patrice Cormier is back from last years team and hell be a fixture on a checking or shutdown lineThat leaves two perhaps three open spots and no shortage of marquee talent fighting it out LA King first rounder Brayden Schenn is thought to have a good chance and Toronto Maple Leaf first rounder Nazem Kadri could be in the mix But neither of these highlytouted prospects should feel secure Kadri started slowly this season and the national junior team is looking to see if hes going to play his hard twoway game or just resort to a finesse approach They like the former not so much the latterPotential No 1 overall pick in 2010 Plymouths Tyler Seguin is also a strong consideration Swift Currents Cody Eakin is averaging almost a goal a game and plays with intensity and energy And Windsors Adam Henrique and Cape Bretons Luke Adam bring a complete twoway game that is not easily dismissedEven without Stamkos Tavares Duchene and OReilly this centre competition is shaping up to be a battle royale Bob McKenzieFollow TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Twitter! Buy Bobs new book Hockey Dad True Confessions of a (crazy) Hockey Parent in the TSN Shop!Previous ColumnsMcKenzie Canada must pay attention to Niederreiter ConzMcKenzie Eberle the hero for Canada once againMcKenzie Hall shows off speed power shot and playmakingMcKenzie Team Canada showing discipline e...