Dec 16, 2009 - 03:46 PM

By Brian McNair

REGINA -- The Oshawa Generals will be without star defenceman Calvin de Haan for as many as seven more games.

And coach Chris DePiero couldn't be happier about it.

The swift-skating and cerebral blue-liner was named to the Canadian roster for the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships in Saskatchewan, where he and 21 teammates, including Courtice's Greg Nemisz, will be looking to deliver a sixth straight gold medal for their country.

"I'm obviously pretty excited and proud of him being selected," said DePiero, who's also Oshawa's general manager. "It's a great day for him and a great day for the organization."

Losing a player of de Haan's quality is nothing new to the Generals, or any other team at this level. Last year, they had to make due without John Tavares, who was named the tournament MVP in Ottawa and was traded away amid a media storm shortly after his return.

This time, DePiero simply wants to see de Haan do his best and come home with a new level of experience and confidence -- and a gold medal, of course.

"What he gains from the experience of being out there is going to be tremendous for him," DePiero said of de Haan, who was drafted 11th overall by the New York Islanders in June. "He's going to learn a tonne in terms of his own game and where he's at."

One of the biggest surprises in the Ontario Hockey League as a rookie last season, de Haan had 63 points, including eight goals in 68 games and saw his NHL stock skyrocket.

After returning from a strong camp with the Islanders, de Haan hasn't had quite the same kind of success this season, where he's compiled 5-14-19 scoring numbers in 27 games.

But he has the ability to adapt to situations and should flourish surrounded by the type of talent he will see in Saskatchewan. He will be one of seven defencemen for Canada, including returnees Colten Teubert, Alex Pietrangelo and Ryan Ellis, and wasn't sure when contacted by phone Wednesday afternoon what his role would be.

"I don't even care if I'm the water boy, I'm just pretty happy to be here. If I play one shift a game, I just want to win," said de Haan, who learned of the good news early Wednesday morning while still in his boxers. "It just kind of hit me pretty hard, I was in shock, my heart stopped. It was just of the greatest feelings I've ever had."

Nemisz, one of 13 forwards, had an impressive camp, including a two-goal, four-point effort in an intrasquad game Monday, where he was on a line with Windsor Spitfires teammates Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique. A 2008 first-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames, Nemisz has 24-24-48 numbers in 34 games with the Spitfires this season.

"It's pretty unbelievable. I didn't get too much sleep, but when the knock came on the door I was really excited," said Nemisz, who expected the Windsor line to stay together to start the tournament. "It's such a tough team to make, but I felt really good about my camp and I really couldn't do much more so either way I was going to be proud of myself."

Bowmanville's Tyler Cuma, a defenceman with the Ottawa 67's, was among the final nine cuts Wednesday morning.

The tournament runs from Dec. 26, when Canada opens up against Latvia, until Jan. 5.

Generals goalie coach Ron Tugnutt is also in Saskatchewan as Canada's goalie consultant, while forward Alain Berger will play for Switzerland.