Ryan Lin Amongst WHL Prospects to Play for Canada at 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games
Calgary, Alta. – Vancouver Giants prospect Ryan Lin is one of seven Western Hockey League players selected to represent Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon in the Republic of Korea.
Hockey Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee announced the men’s hockey roster Thursday afternoon.
Lin, 15, was the sixth overall selection by the Giants in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. The defenceman is playing for Delta Hockey Academy’s U18 prep team this season, currently leading the team in scoring with 25 points in 19 games (7G-18A). Amongst all defencemen in the U18 prep division in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, Lin’s 25 points rank third.
Five WHL Clubs will be represented by a prospect on Canada’s men’s hockey roster for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games. The Medicine Hat Tigers and Spokane Chiefs boast two players each, while the Prince Albert Raiders, Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals will also be represented by one player each.
Ryan Smith, Head Coach of the Spokane Chiefs, was also announced as the head coach of Canada’s squad.
The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games are scheduled for January 19 through February 1, 2024. This marks the fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games and the first in Asia. The men’s hockey tournament runs from Saturday, January 27 through Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Canada’s Men’s Youth Olympic Games Roster – WHL Players
| Last Name | First Name | Team (Draft) | Hometown | Ht | Wt | Pos |
| Esler | Carter | Spokane Chiefs (1-22, 2023) | Okotoks, Alta. | 5’9” | 140 | G |
| Lin | Ryan | Vancouver Giants (1-6, 2023) | Richmond, B.C. | 5’11” | 152 | D |
| Rudolph | Daxon | Prince Albert Raiders (1-1, 2023) | Lacombe, Alta. | 6’1” | 185 | D |
| Verhoeff | Keaton | Victoria Royals (1-4, 2023) | Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. | 6’3” | 200 | D |
| Preston | Mathis | Spokane Chiefs (1-3, 2023) | Penticton, B.C. | 5’11” | 166 | F |
| Ruck | Liam | Medicine Hat Tigers (1-9, 2023) | Osoyoos, B.C. | 5’11” | 155 | F |
| Ruck | Markus | Medicine Hat Tigers (1-21, 2023) | Osoyoos, B.C. | 5’10” | 150 | F |
“Congratulations to the tremendous athletes, coaches and staff who have been selected to represent Canada in men’s hockey at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games,” said Katherine Henderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hockey Canada and co-chair of Canada’s Winter Caucus of Sport. “Wearing the Maple Leaf at the Games is an incredible honour and we know fans across our country will be cheering on this group and the rest of Team Canada on as it goes for gold.”
The roster was selected by Byron Bonora, Hockey Canada’s U17 head scout, and Kurt Keats, manager of hockey operations. A long list of players was shared by Hockey Canada’s 13 Members in the summer, with regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario) also providing input.
Team Canada has participated in the men’s hockey tournament at each Winter Youth Olympic Games to date, winning the bronze medal at Innsbruck 2012 and Lausanne 2020, and the silver medal at Lillehammer 2016.
In 2012, notable WHL connections that represented Canada included Joe Hicketts, Adam Brooks, and Head Coach Curtis Hunt, among others.
In 2016, notable WHL connections that represented Canada included Jett Woo and Ty Smith.
In 2020, Canada was represented by a number of current WHL players, including goaltender Dylan Ernst, defencemen Denton Mateychuk and Mats Lindgren, and forwards Matthew Savoie and Nate Danielson.
Canada opens the Youth Olympic tournament against host South Korea on Saturday, January 27 (4 a.m. MT) and will play Finland on Monday, January 29 (4 a.m. MT) Semifinals will be played Tuesday, January 30 with the medal games scheduled for Wednesday, January 31.
Meet the 1⃣8⃣ players who will wear the 🍁 at the #YouthOlympics!
Voici les 1⃣8⃣ joueurs qui représenteront le 🇨🇦 aux #JOJ2024! pic.twitter.com/9qK8MtUp0j
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 21, 2023
