Winger overlooked in OHL draft now playing on Canada's top line; `A dream come true'

OTTAWA-Chris DiDomenico appears to be adding another chapter to his never-quit, feel-good, out-of-nowhere story that landed him on Team Canada.

The Woodbridge native and Toronto Maple Leaf draft pick finds himself skating on Canada's top line, with John Tavares and Angelo Esposito, at the world junior hockey championship.

Not bad for a kid who has never represented Canada before and who was overlooked two years running in the OHL draft only to land with the Saint John expansion team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"It could be motivation for younger kids who didn't get drafted in the OHL, that they can find a future somewhere in hockey," said DiDomenico.

"A few years ago, I was playing midget AAA. This is a dream come true for me so far.

"Growing up, watching (this tournament) with my dad. I couldn't ask for a better thing than to put on this red and white jersey."

One of Team Canada coach Pat Quinn's chief worries was finding the proper wingers to play with Tavares. Quinn seems to have found some chemistry with Esposito and DiDomenico.

"He (DiDomenico) has got good hockey smarts," said Quinn. "He has an ability to play a two-way game. He gets himself in good positions. He can make plays."

Quinn said Esposito - a one-time phenom who made this team in his fourth attempt - got the prime real estate on Tavares' other wing through hard work.

"I don't think we gave him any leeway; he earned it," said Quinn. "And he's changing his game. He was an offensive element. That offence started to dry up for him and he figured out he'd better be a better player in a lot of different ways."

The line clicked in the opener, combining for four goals in the 8-1 win over the Czech Republic, with Tavares scoring twice, Esposito and DiDomenico one each.

"We're working hard, there's chemistry between us," said DiDomenico. "During the exhibition games, we didn't score enough. But now we're getting our chemistry back."

There's pressure, though, that comes with landing on the first line.

"There's going to be quite a bit of pressure because of the offensive ability (Tavares) brings to the team," said DiDomenico. "You've got to put that aside, you got to do whatever the coach asks. If he wants me to play more of a defensive role so Johnny can take more risks, then I'm going to have to do it."

Esposito says he doesn't feel the pressure quite as much, thanks to Tavares.

"Johnny's a great player and playing with great players makes it that much easier," said Esposito. "My job is to come with a lot of energy and just move my feet. Johnny finds you on the ice. Me and Chris, we just have to make sure we're always moving our feet and creating things.''

Tavares, who played against DiDomenico in leagues around the GTA, says the line is improving.

"We're getting a little more used to each other and we're communicating a lot more, which is important," said Tavares.

As with all matters in the round-robin portion of this tournament, Quinn believes the Tavares-Esposito-DiDomenico unit is still a work in progress.

"We tried it a couple of days in the (pre-tournament games)," Quinn said of the line. "It was spotty. They had some good shifts and some not-so-good shifts.

"We think if we can get some more consistency, it will be a good unit."