Four Storm players invited to Summer Development Camp
For Immediate Release
Monday, June 23, 2014
GUELPH, ON — Four Storm players have been invited to the Canadian National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp, Hockey Canada announced earlier today.
Forwards Robby Fabbri, Jason Dickinson and Tyler Bertuzzi, along with defenceman Ben Harpur will all attend the camp, which is set to take place August 3-8 in Brossard, Montreal and Sherbrooke, Quebec. With four players on the 41-player list, the Storm will lead all CHL clubs in representation at the camp.
In total, 22 players will be selected to represent Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2014 to Jan. 5, 2015 in Montreal and Toronto.
“We are thrilled for all four players that Hockey Canada has identified them as potential members of Canada’s World Junior team,” said Storm General Manager Mike Kelly. “For a Canadian junior player, playing in the World Juniors is an exceptional honour and experience, and each of these players bring special qualities to the under-20 program.”
Fabbri posted 45 goals and 87 points in just 58 regular season games with the Storm, and was named MVP of the OHL playoffs after collecting 28 points in 16 games during the Storm’s run to the OHL Championship. The Mississauga product ended the 2013-14 season as NHL Central Scouting’s 21st ranked North American prospect for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
“Robby brings dynamic offensive skills and unmatched intensity,” said Kelly.
Dickinson, a 2013 first-round pick of the Dallas Stars, scored 78 points in 68 regular season games and added 24 points in 20 games during the OHL playoffs. A native of Georgetown, the 6’2”, 190 lb. centre won a gold medal for Team Canada at the 2013 Under-18 Championships in Sochi, Russia.
“Jason is an elite two-way forward,” said Kelly. “He can be used in an offensive or shutdown role, and also excels at killing penalties.”
Bertuzzi, a 6’1” winger from Sudbury, overcame an injury-plagued regular season to play a starring role in the OHL playoffs and Mastercard Memorial Cup. He posted 17 points in 18 OHL playoff games, and then led the Mastercard Memorial Cup tournament with five goals in five games. A 2013 second-round selection of the Detroit Red Wings, Bertuzzi was limited to just 29 regular season games but managed a career-high 34 points.
“Tyler Bertuzzi brings relentless energy and high-level offensive instincts,” said Kelly. “These skills make him very effective at keeping the play in the opposition’s defensive zone.”
Harpur, a 6’6” defenceman from Niagara-on-the-Lake, finished his third season as a mainstay on the Storm blue line. He posted 16 points and a plus-34 rating in 67 games in 2013-14, and added 5 points in 20 games during the 2014 OHL Playoffs. The Ottawa Senators prospect was voted third best penalty killer in the 2014 OHL Western Conference Coaches Poll.
“Ben Harpur can play a big role on the penalty kill,” said Kelly. “He is able to shut down the opposing team’s top offensive players.”
According to Hockey Canada, the National Junior Team development camp invitees will gather in Brossard, Quebec for practices on August 3 before playing in matches against the national junior teams of the Czech Republic and Russia.
Last season, Storm forward Kerby Rychel represented Canada in a fourth-place finish at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden. He was the first Storm player to represent Canada at the tournament since Drew Doughty in 2008. Defenceman Phil Baltisberger suited up for his native Switzerland for the third year in a row. He is a likely candidate to once again play at the 2015 tournament along with fellow Switzerland native Pius Suter, who enjoyed a fine rookie season with the Storm in 2013-14.
The Guelph Storm’s 2014-15 season is proudly presented by RBC
The Guelph Storm’s 2014-15 season is proudly presented by RBC
