TOKARSKI AND SPURGEON LEAVE FOR CAMP
The first of the Chiefs international representatives have departed the team for their opportunity to wear their respective countries colors as Dustin Tokarski and Jared Spurgeon have traveled to Ottawa for Canada’s Selection Camp.
Tokarski is coming off his fourth shutout of the season and 12th career as Spokane earned a 1-0 win over Chilliwack on Tuesday night and the 19-year-old leaves leading the WHL with a 1.97 goals against average. Tokarski, the Tamp Bay Lightning’s fifth round selection last summer, attended Team Canada’s goaltending camp and their evaluation camp in the summer before representing the WHL at the Canada-Russia Challenge last month.
Spurgeon assisted on the Drayson Bowman goal with 25-seconds remaining on Tuesday night and now has two goals and seven points in his last six games. The New York Islander’s sixth round pick last summer was Spokane’s Defenseman of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year last season.
Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced further details for the National Junior Team selection camp set for Ottawa from December 11-15, 2008.
The selection camp will give head coach Pat Quinn (Vancouver, BC), head scout Al Murray (Transcona, MB), and assistant coaches Guy Boucher (West Island, QC/ Drummondville, QMJHL), Dave Cameron (Kinkora, PEI/ Mississauga St. Michael’s, OHL) and Willie Desjardins (Climax, SK/ Medicine Hat, WHL) a final opportunity to evaluate the candidates and determine the roster of 22 players who will represent Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.
The National Junior Team selection camp will include three games on December 12, 13 and 14.
Canada will play its first game of the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 versus the Czech Republic, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).
Canada has medaled at ten straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.