Damiani named to Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp
CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the roster of 43 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp, July 27 to Aug. 4 in Plymouth, Mich.
Kitchener Rangers forward, Riley Damiani was among the invitees.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. I’m almost at a loss of words. I know I have a lot of work to do in the upcoming weeks to be prepared and be at the top of my game,” said Riley. “I am looking forward to having the chance to showcase my skills on the national level alongside some of the best junior players in our nation.”
The five goaltenders, 13 defencemen and 25 forwards will be split into two teams – Red and White. The Canadians will play four games in Plymouth, taking on the United States twice in addition to singles against Finland and Sweden.
Brad McEwen (Whitewood, Sask.), head scout for the Program of Excellence, and POE management group member Mark Hunter (Petrolia, Ont./London, OHL) put the roster together, and will continue to monitor the athletes through the start of the 2019-20 season ahead of Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp and the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic.
“We’re very pleased with the group that will be brought together in Plymouth,” said Shawn Bullock, director of men’s national teams. “This is a development opportunity for some of the younger athletes, and it’s a great opportunity for our coaching staff and players to start developing a solid relationship ahead of the World Juniors.”
The roster for Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp includes:
- Six players who were a part of Canada’s 2019 National Junior Team at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship (Dobson, Hayton, Lafrenière, McIsaac, Smith, Veleno)
- 15 players who participated in the 2018 Sport Chek World Junior Showcase in Kamloops, B.C. (Addison, Bahl, Bernard-Docker, Dellandrea, Dobson, Foudy, Hayton, Lavoie, McIsaac, Noel, Rodrigue, Smith, Thomas, Veleno, Woo)
- Eight players who won gold with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Barron, Byram, Cozens, Dach, Krebs, Lafrenière, Schneider, Suzuki)
Of the 43 players, 26 were selected at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, 15 hope to have their names called at the 2019 draft this weekend in Vancouver and two are eligible in 2020.
13 OHL PLAYERS INVITED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM SUMMER DEVELOPMENT CAMP:
Goaltenders:
Hunter Jones (Peterborough Petes)
Defencemen:
Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)
Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
Forwards:
Riley Damiani (Kitchener Rangers)
Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)
Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack)
Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Barrett Hayton (Soo Greyhounds)
Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals)
Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)
Ryan Suzuki (Barrie Colts)
Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs)
Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs)
Head Coach: Dale Hunter (London Knights)
Assistant Coach: Andre Tourigny (Ottawa 67’s)
For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.
