Michael McLeod is a point-per-game player who drives the offensive bus for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL. His blazing speed and ability to put the puck in the net from below the hashmarks are big reasons why the New Jersey Devils selected him with the 12th-overall pick at the NHL Draft in 2016, but for the second year is a row he's been asked to showcase the defensive side of his game for Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

It's a role he's not used to playing, but it's one he's embracing

In yesterday's 4-2 win for Canada over Finland on the opening day of the tournament, McLeod played monster minutes on the penalty kill and took key faceoffs in the defensive zone. He has experience as a two-way specialist after being used as the 13th forward at this tournament last year, but this year, he's getting more ice time and playing a bigger role.

"For me, it's about hunting pucks down and making the right decisions," the 6-foot-2, 194-pound 19-year-old said. "I just want to play the best I can in the role they give me and help the team win. After losing last year, I just want to win. I'll do whatever they want me to do and hopefully we can walk out of here with a gold medal this time."

Canada lost the gold medal game last year in a shootout to USA at the Bell Centre in Montreal. They're looking to return the favor this year in Buffalo.

Dominique Ducharme, Canada's head coach for a second year in a row, has seen a lot of growth in McLeod's game since last year and has given him more defensive zone responsibility.

"When people see us put offensive guys in a defensive role, they think it's a bad thing like we are demoting them, but it's not a bad thing. It shows versatility. We are comfortable putting them anywhere," Ducharme said. "All of our players are offensive guys on their teams and we need guys to be playing PK and winning big faceoffs and [McLeod] does that.

"Plus, he's fast. He's got a physical side of his game. He blocks shots. He can bring the offense too. He's a complete player and he helped us win tonight."

McLeod and Team Canada get right back at it Wednesday night as they play Marian Studenic and Team Slovakia at 8 p.m.

Day 1 Notes

Joey Anderson had three shots and was plus-1 with 14:24 TOI in USA's 9-0 win over Denmark.

Yegor Zaitsev had an assist, three shots, was plus-1 and played 16:31 in Russia's 5-4 loss to Czech Republic.

Mikhail Maltsev played 14:01 for Russia and went 9-6 in the faceoff circle.

Jesper Boqvist scored a goal, went 4-2 in the faceoff circle, had two shots, was plus-2 and had 14:21 TOI in Sweden's 6-1 rout of Belarus.

Fabian Zetterlund played 12:18 for Sweden and finished the game minus-1.

Team Slovakia and Marian Studenic did not play.