Gage Goncalves To Team Canada’s Selection Camp
Gage Goncalves Named to Hockey Canada’s Selection Camp, Nov. 16-Dec. 13 in Red Deer to Prepare for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship
EVERETT, WA – The Everett Silvertips, proud seven-time U.S. Division champion and two time Western Conference champion of the Western Hockey League, announced today that center Gage Goncalves (GOHN-sall-vez) has been named to Hockey Canada’s roster for the program’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp, Nov. 16-Dec. 13 in Red Deer, Alberta.
Goncalves is one of 46 players competing for a final roster spot to represent Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 25-Jan. 5 in Edmonton. He is vying to become the first Silvertip since Carter Hart (2018 Gold Medal) to represent Canada on the playing roster in the World Juniors.
Goncalves, 19, was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round (62nd overall) in the 2020 National Hockey League Entry Draft and was named Silvertips Most Improved Player last season when he ranked third on the program in points (71), second in goals (33), third in assists (38), second in game winning goals (7), tied the lead in power play goals (14) and was +32 in 60 games. The Mission, British Columbia native experienced a 56 point and 32 goal increase from his 2018-19 rookie campaign and bagged 22 multi point games, including a pair of career-high four point outings.
His shootout goal against the Spokane Chiefs, on Dec. 15, 2019 received attention including a nomination on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top Ten Plays, when the Silvertips defeated Spokane, 4-3 in a shootout in downtown Everett.
Earlier this summer, Goncalves was named to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp, July 27-31. He was part of a group including over 40 players attending a five-day virtual camp, participating in program sessions focusing on player development through online education in preparation of Team Canada roster selection for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Goncalves has 34 points, 52 assists, 86 points, and a +42 rating in 128 career games in a Silvertips jersey. The 6-foot-1, 170 pound forward was originally acquired by the Silvertips as a listed player and signed a WHL standard player agreement on Jan. 3, 2018, making his Silvertips and WHL debut four days later against the Victoria Royals.
The roster selection was led by Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of national teams for Hockey Canada, with assistance from Ben Shutron (Orleans, Ont.), manager of national teams for Hockey Canada, and Alan Millar (Tottenham, Ont./Moose Jaw, WHL), the U20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group. Head coach André Tourigny (Nicolet, Que./Ottawa, OHL) and assistant coaches Michael Dyck (Lethbridge, Alta./Vancouver, WHL) and Mitch Love (Quesnel, B.C./Saskatoon, WHL) provided input, along with coaches and general managers across the CHL.
Love and Video & Analytics manager Tyler Dietrich (2003-05) represent Team Canada’s staff as Silvertips alumni from playing and coaching careers in downtown Everett.
ABOUT THE SILVERTIPS AND THE NHL
A total of 19 players have suited up in an Everett Silvertips jersey and advanced to play in the National Hockey League, since the Silvertips joined the WHL in 2003-04. Entering this season, the Silvertips have elevated 27 players to be selected by teams in the NHL Entry Draft, including eight over the previous three seasons. By the end of the 2019-20 season, all three Silvertips in the 20-year old category earned NHL entry level contracts: Bryce Kindopp (Anaheim), Wyatte Wylie (Philadelphia), and Jake Christiansen (Columbus).
The Seattle Kraken, an expansion franchise scheduled to play 30 miles away from Everett at Climate Pledge Arena, will make their NHL debut in the 2021-22 season.
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