Eyes On The Prize, a Montreal Canadiens community

The Montreal Canadiens announced this afternoon that defenceman P.K. Subban will not be participating in the 2012 World Hockey Championship, and will be heading back to Canada. Subban suffered a knee injury, in Team Canada's pre-tournament game on Sunday in Switzerland, and will now return to be evaluated by team doctors. He had been listed as day-today, but was expected go to Helsinki. Other links of interest: Kipper on Carey Price's contract Gotta love this line in the article: "One NHL executive said: 'Find me another experienced goalie like Price in his mid-20's who's just scratching the surface on how great he can be. He doesn't exist.'" Chris Boucher on Louis Leblanc's season

The World Junior Hockey Championships have started in Alberta, and both the US and Canada played yesterday. Canada beat Finland 8-1 in their round robin opener. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brett Connolly scored a goal against the Finns in the third period of that match. The US also won, beating Denmark 11-3. Charlie Coyle scored a hat trick in Team USA's opener. The next game for Canada and the US are both tomorrow. The US plays Finland at 3:30 pm Eastern while Canada plays the Czech Republic at 8 pm Eastern. All of the US and medal games are being broadcasted on the NHL Network, as well as being streamed on NHL.com .

With a 4-1 win over Sweden, Edmonton Oil Kings' Griffin Reinhart along with the other members of the squad have brought home another gold medal for Canada.

Congratulations to Ottawa Senators prospect Mark Stone on his invitation to Team Canada's Summer Development Camp. The Development Camp is the first step for players who are auditioning to join Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Stone was a 6th round pick of the Senators in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He posted 106 points in 71 games this past season, tying him with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for third in points in the league.

From Scott Lewis: With 38 points and a seat in last place in the Southeast Division, the Panthers are where most could have predicted they’d be in January. They’ve got an elite goaltender to go along with a mix of serviceable-to-fading veterans and a quality group of youth and mid-age players. Hockey has never been an easy sell in South Florida, but if the 2011 World Juniors have signified anything for the Panthers – it’s that they’re on the right track in terms of prospects. More above. Thanks to The Copper and Blue's Derek Zona for the link.

From Jeremy Sandler, The StarPhoenix: What might be a surprise is that (Florida 2010 first-rounder Quinton Howden) is on the ice at all. As a six-year-old, doctors wondered whether he would be able to get upright on his own after a terrible accident on his tricycle. "Yeah, I don't know how they looked at it, telling me I wouldn't play hockey again, let alone probably walk," he said. "It's something that I've overcome and something that has driven me my whole life." My own fault on this being linked so late; huge thanks to Cory B. for the submission.

"He's clearly a guy from our observation that the guys have gravitated to," said Coach Craig MacTavish. "Like I said the other day, (it's important to) have the perspective. He can frame things the right way at crucial times because of those experiences that he's had...We felt like he was the guy." Also, TSN has this video talking with Ray about his role as Team Nanny. Same old Ray.

In case you missed it, BoltProspects has an interview with Lightning prospect Dana Tyrell of the Norfolk Admirals.

Chat along with the world during fabulous Dennis Seidenberg Night in Vancouver.