Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ty Voit has somehow been overlooked when it comes to the USA World Juniors camp.
The Toronto Maple Leafs 2021 fifth-round (153rd overall) pick has been on fire with the Sarnia Sting this season, with 48 points in 27 games.
Somehow though, the Pittsburgh-born youngster hasn’t been given the chance to help the United States in their quest for World Juniors gold.
It’s telling that the Team USA roster has all but completely shunned the CHL (only 2 call-ups play in the CHL). Perhaps it speaks less to Voit’s amazing form and more so to an inability to look beyond their borders for players.
Ty Voit May Be A Toronto Maple Leafs Late Round Steal
Absolutely, Ty Voit is undersized and may never be a regular NHL player with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a result.
However, plenty of smaller players are now proving more than competent in the NHL. As such, perhaps that sort of thinking no longer rings true.
Whatever the state of affairs within the United States hockey program, it’s a massive oversight to leave Ty Voit out. This is the player with the most assists in the whole of the CHL, not just the OHL.
Instead, guys like Noah Laba, Tyler Boucher and Sam Lipkin got call-ups when they’re useful role players but have hardly stood out this season on their respective teams.
Of course, prior to the World Juniors over the Christmas period the Team USA roster will need to be trimmed down to 25 players and injuries might occur, but the reality is that the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect is likely not getting a look in.
It speaks volumes to a United States program that seems to insist upon being insular and looking specifically for college hockey players as opposed to exploring those options that play in Canada.
Last time round they found themselves eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Czechia and it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see a similar result this time, especially given the insistence on not picking a squad of best possible options.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ty Voit certainly looks to be another late-round draft steal; to have a fifth-round pick putting up a projected 121 points (per Elite Prospects) in the OHL certainly speaks to a smart pick.
He certainly is undersized but with any luck that isn’t going to hold the 19 year-old back from one day cracking the Toronto Maple Leafs roster.