Guelph Storm Rookie of the Year Drew Doughty will represent Canada at the upcoming Junior World Cup in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic from August 8-12, 2006.  Doughty was among six OHL players to be named to the national team.

Doughty’s appointment to Canada’s Under-18 team caps off a stellar rookie season.  In December, Doughty represented Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge collecting 4 points in 5 contests.  The London, Ontario native racked up 33 points during the regular season and added 13 points in 14 post-season games.  Doughty was one of only two unanimous First Team All-Rookies (along with OHL Rookie of the Year John Tavares).  Earlier this summer the Storm blueliner was ranked first overall by International Scouting Services for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

The players were selected by the coaching staff and Hockey Canada’s Head Scout Jim Hammett following a Selection Camp which ran from July 29th through August 1st. The National Summer Under-18 Team coaching staff is made up of Head Coach Cory Clouston (Viking, AB/ Kootenay Ice, WHL) and assistant coaches Dave Hunchak (Warman, SK/Swift Current Broncos, WHL) and Jeff Truitt (Rosetown, SK/ Kelowna Rockets, WHL).

A total of 44 players have been at the National Summer Under-18 Team Selection Camp since July 29th and have been vying for one of the 22 spots on the Junior World Cup roster. Two players (Scott Brannon, John Tavares
– Oshawa Generals) left camp on Monday, July 31st due to injuries. A third player, Logan Couture
(Ottawa 67’s) suffered a laceration to his left leg in the final Red vs. White intersquad game on Tuesday and will not be able to compete in the Junior World Cup. Nineteen players were released on Wednesday morning, and returned home.

Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team is one of two Under-18 Teams that Hockey Canada operates on an annual basis. In April, Canada’s World Championship Under-18 Team, comprised of players and staff members not involved in their respective league playoffs, will attend the 2007 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

Canada’s 2006 National Summer Under-18 Team includes 21 players who took part in the 2006 World Under-17 Challenge in Regina, SK. Only Justin Leclerc (Saskatoon, Sask./ Portland, WHL) is taking part in his first Program of Excellence event.

Goaltenders
Cann, Trevor – Peterborough (OHL)
Leclerc, Justin – Lethbridge (WHL)


Defence


Doughty, Drew – Guelph (OHL)

Grant, Alex – Saint John (QMJHL)
Hickey, Thomas – Seattle (WHL)
Katic, Mark – Sarnia (OHL)
Negrin, John – Kootenay (WHL)
Ross, Nick – Regina (WHL)
Schenn, Luke – Kelowna (WHL)


Forwards
Bastien, Yves – Kitchener (OHL)
Boychuk, Zach – Lethbridge (WHL)
Cameron, Bryan – Belleville (OHL)
Ennis, Tyler – Medicine Hat (WHL)
Esposito, Angelo – Quebec (QMJHL)
Fortier, Olivier – Rimouski (QMJHL)
Gillies, Colton – Saskatoon (WHL)
King, Dwight – Lethbridge (WHL)
MacMillan, Logan – Halifax (QMJHL)
Sonne, Brett – Calgary (WHL)
Sutter, Brandon – Red Deer (WHL)
Turris, Kyle – Burnaby (BCHL)
Torquato, Zack – Saginaw (OHL)

Follow the complete tournament online at
Hockey Canada.ca