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The Montreal Canadiens prospect will not be able to represent his country on the international stage after all.
The decision came down Thursday.
The IIHF ruled that the young forward will not be able to take part in the World Junior Championship, a valuable showcase, simply because his country will not be there.
For a forward his age, it is a major missed opportunity.
These tournaments offer one of the best opportunities to stand out for a prospect like Zharovsky, or Gleb Pugachyov.
Seeing how a young player measures up against the best players in his age group, in a high-pressure setting, often reveals his true level.
Zharovsky will be denied that important test.
That means one less evaluation opportunity for him, but also for the Montreal Canadiens organization.
He is not the only Canadiens prospect affected.
Gleb Pugachyov finds himself in the same situation, also excluded from this valuable competition.
Canadiens lose a key look at Alexander Zharovsky
For the Canadiens, this absence makes the evaluation process more difficult.
Without an international showcase, assessing Zharovsky’s development becomes more challenging.
The organization will have to rely on other evaluation tools.
It is not ideal for a young player the team would like to see develop under pressure.
The World Juniors build character as much as they reveal a prospect’s talent, and the tournament is closely watched every year.
Still, this absence leaves a bitter taste. Zharovsky would have liked the chance to prove his value in front of the entire hockey world, just as Gleb Pugachyov would have.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics