Belleville's Bull in net

Competition is stiff for this year’s job as Canada’s No. 1 goalie at the WJC.

The inside track has to go to Boston Bruins pick Malcolm Subban, who also holds the benefit of playing on larger ice in Belleville, since this year’s tournament is in Russia, but Owen Sound’s Jordan Binnington, Edmonton’s Laurent Brossoit and even Blainville-Boisbriand’s Etienne Marcoux are making strong cases.

But what makes Subban so intriguing, and may ultimately give him an edge, is that he’s clearly carrying his team. Despite scoring the fewest goals in the Ontario League and third-fewest across the entire Canadian League, Belleville sits perched atop its division, having allowed the second-fewest goals in the OHL) and third-fewest in the CHL. Though the OHL’s East division isn’t the strongest, that’s impressive nonetheless.

With a 2.16 goals-against average and .933 save percentage, Subban is second in the OHL in both categories, settling in behind Kitchener’s John Gibson in both. Gibson is an American, by the way, so if the two take the No. 1 jobs for their countries, any Canada-USA tilt will have a little extra interest for OHL fans.

Here are this week’s top 10, with honorable mentions to the Calgary Hitmen, Kitchener Rangers and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.