My All-Canada junior team, plus your mailbag questions

Ryan Ellis is starting to rival Sweden's Victor Hedman as the top blueline prospect in this year's NHL Draft. Getty Images Allan Muir's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Allan. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Basketball and football have their All-America teams, so before I get to your letters, isn't it time to debate the members of an All-Canada team? Here are my mid-season picks for the top performers in the Canadian Hockey League, many of whom are prized by their NHL teams or, in the case of my First Team center, the coveted pick in the upcoming entry draft.

First Team

Center: John Tavares, London Knights (41-37-78)

He won't match his rookie scoring pace of 72 goals, but JT remains the most dangerous sniper in junior hockey. He's increased his output since being dealt from Oshawa to London, but his two-way play has opened a lot of eyes. The Knights must be recognized as legit Memorial Cup contenders with him in the lineup.

Wing: Eric Tangradi, Belleville Bulls (31-38-69)

The hulking power forward finally seems comfortable with his own potential, using his size to intimidate opponents along the boards and to wreak havoc in front of the net. An Anaheim pick, Tangradi could join fellow Philly-area product Bobby Ryan in the Ducks' lineup next season.

Wing: Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vancouver Giants (27-62-89)

Since leaving Michigan Tech to join the junior ranks just last year, the WHL's top scorer has broken Gilbert Brule's franchise single-season points record (87, in 2004-05)...and gotten married. Let's hope at least one of those two lasts. With his hands, size (6-2, 205) and improved work ethic, the Penguins' 2007 third-rounder may be part of the answer to their desperate need for scoring on the wing.

Defense: Jonathan Blum, Vancouver Giants (16-41-57)

Nashville's top prospect -- surprise, another defenseman -- is on the verge of guiding the explosive Giants to their third Memorial Cup berth in four years. His leadership (he's served as captain of Vancouver and Team USA at the World Juniors), positioning, and on-ice vision set him apart.

Defense, Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires (17-47-64)

His ability to share clothes with Billy Barty is the only thing keeping Ellis from battling Victor Hedman for recognition as the draft's top blueline prospect. He's been junior hockey's answer to Dan Boyle, earning headlines for his unparalleled playmaking skills but making an equal impact with his vastly improved own-zone work.

Goal: Mike Murphy, Belleville Bulls (2.00 GAA, .943 save percentage)

A sixth-round pick of the Hurricanes in 2008, the 20-year-old has even better numbers than last season when he was named top OHL netminder ahead of current Columbus sensation Steve Mason. No one's better at breaking the spirit of the opposition with a series of impossible stops.

Second Team

Center: Cody Hodgson, Brampton Battalion (31-33-64)

Recalling a young Joe Sakic with his offensive creativity and defensive awareness, the Vancouver Canucks' first-rounder has used his added size and speed to dominate the OHL.

Wing: Justin DiBenedetto, Sarnia Sting (34-34-68)

Fifth-year winger has thrived as a go-to guy since the graduation of Steven Stamkos and emerged as a legitimate prospect for the Islanders.

Wing: Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen (30-53-83)

Mighty mite is motivated to make all 30 teams regret passing him over in last year's draft. His speed and guile are reminiscent of last season's CHL Player of the Year, Justin Azevedo.

Defense: Thomas Hickey, Seattle Thunderbirds (10-23-33)

His numbers are down slightly, but his disciplined, two-way play makes the Kings pick the West's most reliable blueliner.

Defense: P.K. Subban, Belleville Bulls (8-43-51)

Charismatic leader has improved his defensive game, but his dynamic offense defines his impact.

Goalie: Dustin Tokarski, Spokane Chiefs (1.75 GAA, .944 save percentage)

Following up his Memorial Cup MVP campaign with the best individual stats of any goalie in junior hockey.

And now, on to your mail:

Did you happen to catch the end of the Super Bowl? I though it was really cool when Joe Namath carried the trophy through the crowd before giving it to the commissioner. Wouldn't it be awesome to see the NHL do something similar? Of course, that wouldn't stop the crowd from booing Gary Bettman, would it?
-- Rob O'Bannon, Calgary by way of P.E.I.

I don't watch a lot of American football (I'd rather suffer quietly through another losing season of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats), but I'm glad I caught that electric moment. And while the white-glove brigade from the Hockey Hall of Fame have wrangled pseudo-celebrity status out of their Cup-handling duties, I'm sure we'd all rather see a legend carry it to center ice. Might be cool to keep it a secret in advance of the event and build up some buzz as fans speculate about who would get that year's honor.

You know, the more I think of it, I'm of a mind that we should go one step further and eliminate the good commissioner from the proceedings entirely. Have a Cup-winning legend hand it off directly to the captain of the new champs. That way, it's like the presentation comes on behalf of the history of the game, and not from everyone's favorite target. Imagine if the Bruins finally won it and Bobby Orr brought out the old mug? Or have Gordie Howe present it to the Wings. Or maybe get the assembled ghosts from the old Forum to mysteriously hold the Cup aloft the next time the Habs pull it off.

Yeah, I think we're on to something here...