28 CHL Players Invited to Canada’s World Junior Selection Camp

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada moved one step closer to finding out who will wear the red-and-white at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, as 28 CHL players earned an invitation to Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp in St. Catharines, Ont., Dec. 12-15.

The 32-man selection camp roster includes four goaltenders, 10 defencemen and 18 forwards. The process of evaluating and selecting the players was led by Brad McEwen, Hockey Canada’s head scout, in consultation with Joël Bouchard (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) from the Program of Excellence management group.

Among the 28 CHL players are six returnees from last year’s silver-medal team: goaltender Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips); defencemen Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen) and Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings); and forwards Dillon Dubé (Kelowna Rockets), Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads), and Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters).

CHL players invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp:

Goaltenders:
Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Defencemen:
Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen)
Dennis Cholowski (Prince George Cougars)
Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Cal Foote (Kelowna Rockets)
Josh Mahura (Regina Pats)
Logan Stanley (Kitchener Rangers)
Conor Timmins (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)

Forwards:
Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres)
Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets)
Alex Formenton (London Knights)
Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound Attack)
Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks)
Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Tanner Kaspick (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting)
Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets)
Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters)
Sam Steel (Regina Pats)
Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos)
Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack)
Robert Thomas (London Knights)

“Hockey at all levels across the country continues to produce talented and elite-level hockey players that makes our evaluation and selection process a difficult one,” said Shawn Bullock, Hockey Canada’s senior manager of hockey operations and men’s national teams. “With a talent pool as deep as we have in this country, we believe the 22 players eventually selected from camp will give us the best chance at bringing home a gold medal. We couldn’t be more excited for our staff and players to get together in St. Catharines and begin the journey.”

Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp will be held at the Meridian Centre, the home of the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs, and feature a trio of games – two against a U SPORTS team on Dec. 13 and 14, and a game against Denmark on Dec. 15.

Following the four-day camp, Canada will pare down its roster to the final group of 22 players that will proudly wear the Canadian jersey in Buffalo, Dec. 26-Jan. 5, as they seek to win the nation’s 16th World Juniors gold medal.

Pre-tournament games

Prior to the official puck drop on this year’s tournament, Canada will make its final preparations with a pair of pre-tournament games. On Dec. 20, Canada will face the Czech Republic in London, Ont., where a select number of tickets are available online, by phone at 1.866.455.2849, or in-person at the box office at Budweiser Gardens. On Dec. 22, the match-up features Canada taking on Switzerland at FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton with tickets available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca, by phone at 905.529.8500 and at the Dan Lawrie Insurance Box Office.

Canada’s quest for gold officially begins on Boxing Day against Finland at 4 p.m. ET. Canada will face its U.S. rivals when they take to the outdoors on Dec. 29 at the home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., at 3 p.m. ET.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will once again provide wall-to-wall game coverage and analysis throughout the tournament, including Canada’s two pre-tournament games; check local listings for details.

For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.