Four OHL graduates to represent Canada at 2023 Spengler Cup
Four OHL graduates have been named to Canada’s entry for the 2023 Spengler Cup that takes place from December 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.
The 25-player roster consists of a total of 17 CHL alumni as Canada pursues its 17th championship at the annual tournament.
Former Sarnia Sting and Peterborough Petes forward Jonathan Ang is included in the forward ranks. The 25-year-old from Markham, Ont. is currently playing for Kloten HC in the Swiss Elite League. Ang played four OHL seasons from 2014-18 and was a fourth round pick by the Florida Panthers in 2016.
The Canadian roster includes a pair of former OHL defenders in Owen Sound Attack graduate Thomas Schemitsch and Guelph Storm alumnus Zac Leslie. Schemitsch spent last season with the Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Elite League and played three seasons in Owen Sound from 2013-16, being taken by the Florida Panthers in the third round of the 2015 NHL Draft. Leslie was an OHL champion with Guelph in 2014, one of the four seasons he spent in a Storm uniform between 2011-15. The 29-year-old Leslie is currently playing for Rapperswil-Jona in the Swiss Elite League.
In the crease, 6-foot-5 netminder Tyler Beskorowany of the EIHL’s Belfast Giants is included on the roster. The 33-year-old has played a lengthy pro career following three seasons in the OHL between Owen Sound and Kingston from 2007-10.
The Canadian team is coached by former OHL star, Memorial Cup champion and long-time NHL coach Bruce Boudreau, who is currently an advisor with the Niagara IceDogs.
Canada is grouped with HC Davos and Frolunda HC for the preliminary round and will open the 2023 Spengler Cup against Frolunda HC on Dec. 26th at 2:15pm ET. TSN, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partner, will broadcast all 11 tournament games; please check local listings for details.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
