Skinner Named to CIBC Canada Russia Series
Lethbridge, AB – The Western Hockey League, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, Tuesday announced the roster for the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series and Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Stuart Skinner has been named one of two goaltenders.
The tournament is scheduled to take place on November 6th in Swift Current and November 7th in Moose Jaw. The WHL will host Games 1 and 2 of the six game series while the Ontario Hockey League will host Games 3 and 4 before the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League welcomes the two teams for Games 5 and 6.
Skinner, 18, originally the 17th overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft is in his fourth season with the Hurricanes. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round (78th overall) in the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Skinner, who hails from Edmonton, was also one of four goaltenders invited to the World Junior summer showcase in hopes of making the 2018 World Junior team.
The 6’4”, 200-pound goaltender has appeared in all eight games this season for the Hurricanes posting a 4-4-0-0 record with a 3.06 goals against average (GAA) and a .912 save percentage (.912.). Skinner is the all-time franchise leader in games played by a goaltender (159) and saves (4,712). He has a career record of 78-55-6-5 with a 3.27 GAA and a .909 SV% in his four season.
The announcement marks the second consecutive season that a Hurricanes player has been named to the CIBC Canada Russia Series after Giorgio Estephan dressed last year for the WHL. Last season, Estephan was the first Hurricane to be represented in the Series since 2010 when Carter Ashton suited up.
The Hurricanes are back in action on Friday when they begin a season-long seven game home-stand at the ENMAX Centre against the Swift Current Broncos before the Medicine Hat Tigers pay a visit on Sunday. Tickets are available online, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Centre.
WHL PRESS RELEASE:
TEAM WHL ROSTER ANNOUNCED FOR 2017 CIBC CANADA RUSSIA SERIES
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League, Moose Jaw Warriors, Swift Current Broncos and Hockey Canada, announced today the roster for Team WHL, which will compete against Team Russia in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
Team WHL will face Team Russia in Game 1 of the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series in Moose Jaw, Sask., on Monday, November 6, before continuing on to Swift Current, Sask., for Game 2 on Tuesday, November 7. The Ontario Hockey League will host Games 3 and 4, while the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will welcome the festivities surrounding Games 5 and 6.
Team WHL once again features an abundance of NHL prospects, including 13 players selected in the first two rounds of the NHL Draft. A pair of top-10 selections from the 2017 NHL Draft highlight the roster, including Portland Winterhawks forward Cody Glass (Vegas Golden Knights, 1-6) and Tri-City Americans forward Michael Rasmussen (Detroit Red Wings, 1-9).
Moose Jaw Warriors captain Brett Howden, a first round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, will have the opportunity to suit up for Team WHL in front of a hometown crowd when the series opens in Moose Jaw on November 6.
When the series shifts to Swift Current on November 7, the WHL’s leading goal scorer – Swift Current Broncos forward Tyler Steenbergen (Sylvan Lake, Alta.) – will suit up in front of his home crowd. Additionally, Vancouver Canucks prospect Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets) hails from nearby Shaunavon, Sask.
For further information, including how to purchase tickets, please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca.
Team WHL Roster:
Forwards
| Player Name | Hometown | DOB | WHL Club | NHL Draft |
| Anderson-Dolan, Jaret | Calgary, Alta. | 1999-09-12 | Spokane Chiefs | LA 2017 (2-41) |
| Benson, Tyler | Edmonton, Alta. | 1998-03-15 | Vancouver Giants | EDM 2016 (2-32) |
| Dube, Dillon | Cochrane, Alta. | 1998-07-20 | Kelowna Rockets | CGY 2016 (2-56) |
| Glass, Cody | Winnipeg, Man. | 1999-04-01 | Portland Winterhawks | VGK 2017 (1-6) |
| Howden, Brett | Oakbank, Man. | 1998-03-29 | Moose Jaw Warriors | TB 2016 (1-27) |
| Kaspick, Tanner | Brandon, Man. | 1998-01-28 | Brandon Wheat Kings | STL 2016 (4-119) |
| Lewis, Ty | Brandon, Man. | 1998-03-05 | Brandon Wheat Kings | COL 2017 (FA) |
| Lind, Kole | Shaunavon, Sask. | 1998-10-16 | Kelowna Rockets | VAN 2017 (2-33) |
| Phillips, Matthew | Calgary, Alta. | 1998-04-06 | Victoria Royals | CGY 2016 (6-166) |
| Rasmussen, Michael | Surrey, B.C. | 1999-04-17 | Tri-City Americans | DET 2017 (1-9) |
| Steel, Sam | Sherwood Park, Alta. | 1998-02-03 | Regina Pats | ANA 2016 (1-30) |
| Steenbergen, Tyler | Sylvan Lake, Alta. | 1998-01-07 | Swift Current Broncos | ARI 2017 (5-128) |
Defencemen
| Player Name | Hometown | DOB | WHL Club | NHL Draft |
| Bean, Jake | Calgary, Alta. | 1998-06-09 | Calgary Hitmen | CAR 2016 (1-13) |
| Cholowski, Dennis | Langley, B.C. | 1998-02-15 | Prince George Cougars | DET 2016 (1-20) |
| Clague, Kale | Lloydminster, Alta. | 1998-06-05 | Brandon Wheat Kings | LA 2016 (2-51) |
| Foote, Cal | Englewood, Col. | 1998-12-13 | Kelowna Rockets | TB 2017 (1-14) |
| Mahura, Josh | St. Albert, Alta. | 1998-05-05 | Regina Pats | ANA 2016 (3-85) |
| Quenneville, David | Edmonton, Alta. | 1998-03-13 | Medicine Hat Tigers | NYI 2016 (7-200) |
Goaltenders
| Player Name | Hometown | DOB | WHL Club | NHL Draft |
| Hart, Carter | Sherwood Park, Alta. | 1998-08-13 | Everett Silvertips | PHI 2016 (2-48) |
| Skinner, Stuart | Edmonton, Alta. | 1998-11-01 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | EDM 2017 (3-78) |
Each of the three CHL member Leagues assembled a selection committee, working closely with Hockey Canada, to select the players for this year’s series. This year, Team WHL will be coached by Tim Hunter (Moose Jaw Warriors), who will also serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Regina Pats general manager and head coach John Paddock and Swift Current Broncos director of player personnel and head coach Manny Viveiros will serve as assistant coaches for Team WHL.
The six-game series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. For the fourth straight season, the event will open with two games in the WHL.
Since the event first began in 2003, CHL teams have played to an overall record of 58-19-1-6. The competitiveness of the rivalry has grown in recent years with four of the last seven series decided in the final game, and with Russia earning three series wins since 2010 compared to the CHL’s four series triumphs over the same period including last season by a 13-5 margin in points.
The 2017 CIBC Canada Russia series is supported by CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tires and Sherwin-Williams. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 – Monday November 6 at Moose Jaw, SK
Game 2 – Tuesday November 7 at Swift Current, SK
Game 3 – Thursday November 9 at Owen Sound, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 13 at Sudbury, ON
Game 5 – Tuesday November 14 at Charlottetown, PE
Game 6 – Thursday November 16 at Moncton, NB
