Canadian NJT hopefuls take two from CIS Selects
Monday December 15, 2014
Toronto, ON – Canadian National Junior Team hopefuls had an opportunity to showcase their skill and abilities in game scenarios this past weekend at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at Maple Leaf Gardens on Saturday and Sunday. Entering the weekend with a roster of 30 players, the Canadian National Junior Team battled a team of CIS Selects consisting of players drawn from the Ryerson University, York University and University of Toronto Men’s Hockey teams in front of large crowds anxious to see the CHL’s best Canadian talent on display.
The CIS Selects featured 13 CHL graduates including fiver year OHL veteran Alex Basso (Belleville, Sarnia, London) and recently graduated forward Dylan Smoskowitz (Barrie, Mississauga, Oshawa).
The two games provided exactly what Hockey Canada management was looking for, an opportunity to evaluate players in a game situation. Following Sunday’s game, the Canadian roster was trimmed down to 25, with five players being returned to their respective junior clubs.
Team Canada’s Sport Chek Selection Camp moves on to St. Catharines for team practices from Monday-Thursday.
Here’s a look at this past weekend’s action.
SATURDAY – TEAM CANADA 10, CIS SELECTS 3
St. Louis Blues first round draft selection Robby Fabbri (Guelph Storm) scored twice while Vancouver Canucks prospect Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen) added three assists in a 10-3 Team Canada victory over the CIS Selects. Brayden Point (Moose Jaw Warriors), Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa Generals) and Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current Broncos) also had a goal and an assist each. Nick Ritchie (Peterborough Petes), Lawson Crouse (Kingston Frontenacs), Madison Bowey (Kelowna Rockets), Morgan Klimchuk (Regina Pats) and Travis Sanheim (Calgary Hitmen) rounded out the Canadian scoring.
Canadian goaltender Zachary Fucale (Halifax Mooseheads) made 23 saves in goal while the trio of Troy Passingham, Michael Nishi and Chris Perugini faced a total of 57 shots for the CIS Selects who had goals from Alex Basso, Mark Cross and Domenic Alberga.
SUNDAY – TEAM CANADA 6, CIS SELECTS 0
Both Brayden Point (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen) had an another solid outing as both players registered two goals and an assist each to lead Canada to a defensively sound 6-0 win over the CIS Selects on Sunday afternoon.
Other Canadian goals came from Morgan Klimchuk (Regina Pats) with two as well as one from Haydn Fleury (Red Deer Rebels).
Goaltender Eric Comrie (Tri-City Americans) stopped all 22 shots he faced while CIS Selects goaltenders Chris Perugini, Michael Nishi and Troy Passingham faced a total of 45 shots.
Team Canada forwards Anthony Duclair (New York Rangers), Max Domi (London Knights), Nic Petan (Portland Winterhawks), Sam Reinhart (Kootenay Ice) and Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) along with defencemen Darnell Nurse (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Josh Morrissey (Kelowna Rockets) and Shea Theodore (Seattle Thunderbirds) did not play over the weekend.
For the full Pre-Competition Camp schedule in St. Catharines, ON, visit HockeyCanada.ca.