8 OHL Players Named to Canada’s U18 World Championship Training Camp Roster

CALGARY, Alta. – Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team will begin to assemble in Etobicoke, Ont., next week before flying to Russia for two pre-tournament games leading up to the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, Apr. 19-29 in Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, Russia.

“The initial list of Canadians for the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship contains a well-balanced group of players and strong foundation of international experience,” said Brad McEwen, Hockey Canada’s head scout. “Fans can expect a combination of skill, size, and speed when this year’s team begins its quest to bring home a gold medal in Russia. The players and team staff are excited for the opportunity to once again represent Canada on the world stage.”

Players will practice three times at the MasterCard Centre (Rink 1) in Etobicoke – all practices are open to the public and free of charge:

• Sunday, April 8: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET
• Monday, April 9: 10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, April 10: 10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET

On April 10 the team will depart for Russia to continue its training camp and play two pre-tournament games in Chelyabinsk – April 15 versus Slovakia and April 16 vs. Finland.

Canada will look to reclaim gold for the first time since 2013, kicking off the tournament against its cross-border rival United States on Thursday, April 19 at 9:30 a.m. ET. Canada will also play against Belarus, Switzerland, and Sweden during the preliminary round. TSN, the official broadcast partner of Hockey Canada, is broadcasting 15 games, including all of Team Canada’s match-ups at the IIHF U18 World Championship. RDS will broadcast 10 games, including Canada’s four preliminary-round games, two quarter-final games, both semifinals, and the bronze- and gold-medal games.

Canada has won seven medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, including three gold (2003, 2008, 2013), one silver (2005), and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).

OHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRAINING CAMP ROSTER:

Defencemen:
Kevin Bahl (Ottawa 67’s)^
Ryan Merkley (Guelph Storm)^

Forwards:
Graeme Clarke (Ottawa 67’s)
Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds)*^
Liam Foudy (London Knights)
Cam Hillis (Guelph Storm)
Allan McShane (Oshawa Generals)
Serron Noel (Oshawa Generals)^

*represented Canada at the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship
^won gold with Canada at 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament

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.