Sparks and Richard set for World Juniors

The 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship opened on Boxing Day.  For Storm forward Tanner Richard and goaltender Garret Sparks, their tournament will open on the 27th in Russia.

Richard, the Storm’s leading scorer this season, will begin his second World Junior Hockey Championship with Switzerland versus Latvia.  A third round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Richard picked up four points for the Swiss last winter.  Switzerland will face Latvia tomorrow.

While Richard and Switzerland will compete in Group A against Latvia, Finland, Czech Republic and Sweden, Sparks and the USA will square off against a stacked Group B that includes Canada, Russia, Slovakia and Germany.  Sparks saw action in one exhibition game as he started the Americans’ 3-2 overtime win over the Swedes.  Sparks and Team USA will open their tournament against Germany tomorrow.

On December 29th in Quebec, Robby Fabbri and Storm goaltending prospect Matthew Mancina will open the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge with Team Ontario versus Sweden.