24 WHL players to represent Canada at 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
A total of 24 Western Hockey League players, including Spokane Chiefs rookie Berkly Catton, have been named to Canada’s three Under-17 rosters set to participate at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, slated for November 3-12 in Langley and Delta, B.C.
The 66 participating players were announced Tuesday. The players have been divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White. 10 WHL players will skate for Team Canada White, while Team Canada Black and Team Canada Red will each feature seven WHL players.
Chiefs Head Coach Ryan Smith was also named as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada Red.
WHL Players – Team Canada Black
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Buczkowski | Tyson | Prince George Cougars | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’11” | 170 | D |
| Fluker | Josh | Swift Current Broncos | Boissevain, Man. | 5’11” | 161 | D |
| Roberts | Colton | Vancouver Giants | Maple Ridge, B.C. | 6’4” | 181 | D |
| Caswell | Clarke | Swift Current Broncos | Brandon, Man. | 5’10” | 164 | F |
| Gavin | Jordan | Tri-City Americans | Surrey, B.C. | 5’11” | 143 | F |
| Lakovic | Lynden | Moose Jaw Warriors | Kelowna, B.C. | 6’3” | 182 | F |
| Peardon | Cole | Prince Albert Raiders | Outlook, Sask. | 6’0” | 187 | F |
WHL Players – Team Canada Red
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Wutzke | Chase | Red Deer Rebels* | Debden, Sask. | 6’2” | 160 | G |
| Smith | Tarin | Everett Silvertips | Porcupine Plain, Sask. | 6’1” | 187 | D |
| Catton | Berkly | Spokane Chiefs | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’11” | 164 | F |
| Hadland | Caleb | Brandon Wheat Kings | Sylvan Lake, Alta. | 5’10” | 174 | F |
| Iginla | Tij | Seattle Thunderbirds | Lake Country, B.C. | 6’0” | 180 | F |
| Mrsic | Tomas | Medicine Hat Tigers | Surrey, B.C. | 5’11” | 162 | F |
| Wetsch | Carson | Calgary Hitmen | North Vancouver, B.C. | 6’2” | 165 | F |
* – signed prospect
WHL Players – Team Canada White
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Mulawka | Madden | Prince George Cougars* | Edmonton, Alta. | 6’1” | 186 | G |
| Doyle | Tristen | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Winnipeg, Man. | 5’9” | 171 | D |
| Elick | Charlie | Brandon Wheat Kings | Calgary, Alta. | 6’3” | 189 | D |
| Howell | Marek | Moose Jaw Warriors | Calgary, Alta. | 6’2” | 192 | D |
| Hodnett | Gavin | Edmonton Oil Kings | Winnipeg, Man. | 5’8” | 147 | F |
| Josephson | Ollie | Red Deer Rebels | Victoria, B.C. | 6’0” | 177 | F |
| Marques | Miguel | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Prince George, B.C. | 5’10” | 170 | F |
| McQueen | Roger | Brandon Wheat Kings | Saskatoon, Sask. | 6’4” | 182 | F |
| Ritchie | Ryder | Prince Albert Raiders | Kelowna, B.C. | 5’10” | 157 | F |
| Vaughan | Jaxsin | Regina Pats | Merritt, B.C. | 6’1” | 192 | F |
* – signed prospect
The Canadian contingent at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will feature two WHL goaltenders, seven WHL defencemen and 15 WHL forwards.
In all, 16 WHL Clubs are represented on the three Canadian rosters. The Brandon Wheat Kings boast three players on the Canadian Under-17 roster. The Lethbridge Hurricanes, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Prince George Cougars, Red Deer Rebels and Swift Current Broncos will each be represented by two players at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, while the Calgary Hitmen, Edmonton Oil Kings, Everett Silvertips, Medicine Hat Tigers, Regina Pats, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Tri-City Americans and Vancouver Giants will each have one player taking part at the event.
In addition to the 24 WHL players taking part, 11 WHL hockey operations personnel have been named to the staffs of the three Canadian squads, including Moose Jaw Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary, who will serve as bench boss for Team Canada Black. Spokane Chiefs head coach Ryan Smith (Red) and Swift Current Broncos head coach Devan Praught (White) will serve as assistant coaches. Ryan Aasman (Lethbridge Hurricanes) will assume video coach duties for Team Canada Red, while Byron Spriggs (Winnipeg ICE) will serve as a goaltending consultant with Team Canada White.
Spencer Stehouwer (Saskatoon Blades) and Clayton Johns (Portland Winterhawks) will take on the role of equipment manager for Team Canada Black and Team Canada White, respectively, while Jimmy McKnight (Edmonton Oil Kings) and J.T. Ward (Victoria Royals) will act as therapists for Team Canada Red and Team Canada White, respectively. Doctor Michael Conrad (Victoria Royals) will serve as the team physician for Team Canada White.
