OHL roster includes Battalion’s Carrick
BRAMPTON, Ont. – Sam Carrick of the Brampton Battalion has been named to play for the Ontario Hockey League squad in the second game of a two-game set in the Canada-Russia Super Series, it was announced Tuesday.
Centre Carrick was one of 37 players selected to the rosters for the games, scheduled at Ottawa on Nov. 10 and at Sault Ste. Marie on Nov. 14.
“It’s a huge honour for me,” said Carrick. “I’m very grateful to be chosen to the team. It’s a great opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Carrick scored on his first shift in the first OHL game last year, which saw the OHL blank the Russians 4-0 at London.
Each of the Canadian Hockey League’s member leagues hosts two games, with the CHL rosters consisting of players eligible to play for Canada in the 2012 World Junior Championship at Calgary and Edmonton from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
A resident of Stouffville, Ont., Carrick has registered four goals and four assists for eight points in 12 games while being assessed 20 penalty minutes.
“There’ll be a lot of scouts from the world junior national team, so it’s a great opportunity to impress them and show them what I can do,” said Carrick. “I’m just going to work hard and try to provide the team with good energy by playing physical and hopefully create some offence.”
Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach, worked with Mark Hunter, general manager of the London Knights, and Kevin Prendergast, head scout for Hockey Canada, in choosing the OHL rosters. Butler has been involved with the Canada-Russia series on four previous occasions as an assistant coach and general manager.
“He’s done a good job for us this season,” Butler said of Carrick. “He’s been a good leader and deserves a chance to be a part of this game. It’s a very good experience for him. Hopefully he takes advantage of it and is able to impress them enough to get an invite to the world junior camp at Christmas time.”
Team OHL, undefeated in 16 games in the event, in its ninth year, is to be led by coaches Scott Walker of the Guelph Storm and George Burnett of the Belleville Bulls. They’re to be assisted by Chris Byrne of the Ottawa 67’s and Mike Stapleton of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Walker and Burnett are set to serve as assistant coaches with the 2012 Canadian national junior team.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is to host the first two Canada-Russia games at Victoriaville, Que., on Nov. 7 and Quebec City on Nov. 9. The Western Hockey League hosts games in the Saskatchewan centres of Regina and Moose Jaw on Nov. 16 and 17.
All games are to be telecast nationally on Rogers Sportsnet.
