Total Sports Simcoe County Edition, Winter 2016 Winter 2016 Issue | Page 12

World Junior Championship 2016
Two Barrie Colts Make Us Proud
By: Melissa Bromley
It only comes around once a year, and most Canadians dub
it ‘The Most Magical Time of the Year.’
No, it’s not Christmas. But it’s close.
It’s The World Junior Championship tournament, and this
year, the 11-day tournament was held in Helsinki, Finland.
Junior hockey players from around the world are carefully
selected to represent their country on one of the biggest
stages before they hit the professional level. It’s an honour
that many might never receive, but this year, two Barrie
Colts players were lucky enough to don their country’s
jersey.
For Team Canada, Colts goalie, Mackenzie Blackwood, was
one of three goalies on the roster. Blackwood dressed in
two pre tournament games, along with three tournament
games; where he earned a highlight 3-2 shootout win
against Switzerland.
“It’s always a great honour to be able to play for your
country,” Blackwood said. “It’s something that most people
don’t get the chance to experience, so I know how lucky I
am.”
Julius Nattinen, an import player for the Colts, also got to
experience the World Juniors on home soil as he suited
up for Team Finland. To top off a great tournament where
Nattinen recorded a goal and two assists, he and the Finns
walked away with the Gold Medal.
“It was amazing,” Nattinen
said. “Every game was full
of people, and I’ve never
seen anything like that
before in Finland.”
The ten team tournament
forces young players into
the spotlights, but allows
them to play against the
best of the best of their
age. For Blackwood, he
and Team Canada felt
that pressure, as they
were unable to get past
the quarterfinals. But, the
time across the pond still
proved to be beneficial
for Blackwood.
“It was great to be able
to experience playing

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at that level,” Blackwood said. “As much as some of the
guys are players you play against back home, the intensity
and energy is at a whole new level. Everyone is constantly
playing with so much energy and there is so much hype for
the games.”
Luckily the teams all had a few days to adjust to the time
change though. Blackwood noted that he would find himself
waking up in the middle of the night early on, but after a few
days he was well adjusted. “I just really wanted to get in the
net,” Blackwood added.
For Nattinen, he was able to play in front of sold out
crowds that included family and friends, while ending the
tournament on quite the high note. Nattinen explained
that winning the Gold medal at home couldn’t have worked
out any better. Nattinen put it simply when he said, “It was
pretty awesome to get the gold medal. It was so great.”
Both Blackwood and Nattinen missed nearly a month
of hockey with the Colts while they were representing
their respective countries. And, with the World Junior
Championship now in the rear view mirror, both Colts are
ready to get going back in Barrie.
“It’s nice to be back, I’m excited to play big minutes here,”
Nattinen said. “I, of course would have loved to have stayed
a little bit longer in Finland, but it’s great being back.”
Blackwood also made a big step in his career while over
in Finland as he signed a three-year entry-level deal with
the New Jersey Devils. The signing was an added bonus for
Blackwood in the tournament, but he is excited to see how
the rest of the season will turn out for the Colts.
“We’ve got the pieces we need now to make a deep playoff
run, so it should be exciting,” Blackwood said.
GET TO KNOW BLACKWOOD:
Vacation spot: Hawaii
Favourite meal: Steak & sweet potato fries
Nickname: Blacky
Favourite junk food: Hot fudge ice cream
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Hopefully NHL
GET TO KNOW NATTINEN:
Vacation spot: Spain
Pre-game meal: Chicken and Pasta
Favourite subject in school: History
Favourite superpower: Flying
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Playing hockey