Brook Looking To Crack Canada U18 Roster
Moose Jaw Warrior Josh Brook is headed to Calgary this week looking to take the next step with Hockey Canada. Brook is one of 44 players taking part in Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp in preparation for the 2016 U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
“I was so excited,” when asked about receiving an invitation to Hockey Canada’s Under-18 Summer Camp. “It’s an honour to be selected to go to this camp. I’m very excited and going to try my best to make it.”
Brook has taken part in national events in the past, he won bronze with Manitoba at the 2014 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, and he suited up for Team Red at the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
At Under-17’s Brook made one of three Canadian teams, this time around he’ll be looking to crack the roster that feature’s best players in the 1999 age group.
“It’s definitely different because you look at Under-17’s and there’s three teams. This is just one team, it’s a lot harder to make and it would be a great honour.”
Brook is one of 16 defensemen at the camp and says it short camps like these you have to find ways to separate yourself. “I just have to leave it all out there, I have to go as hard as I can for those four days of camp and prove to them that I’m good enough to make this team.”
“Obviously I have to play my game and play it to my best ability,” he added. “Also I want to show that I’m a leader off the ice and show them I’m mature enough to do this.”
Recent Warriors who have taken part in the tournament and won golf for Canada include Brett Howden (2015), Zach Sawchenko (2014), and Brayden Point (2013).
Of the 44 players who have been invited to the selection camp, 22 will be selected to play for Canada at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, August 8 -12 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Canada has won gold 11 out of the last 12 years, including the last eight years.
Brook is one of several Moose Jaw Warriors taking part in Hockey Canada camps. Prospects Jett Woo and Luka Burzan are also in Calgary from July 26 to August 1 for the World Under-17 Development Camp. Brett Howden, Zach Sawchenko, and Head Coach Tim Hunter will be in Toronto for the World Junior Summer Development Camp July 30 to August 7.
“I’ve been training a lot and I’m now starting to get back on the ice. I just got back from a camp in Toronto that I learned a lot from. I’ve been skating and working out every day,” said Brook when asked about what he’s been working on heading in to the Hockey Canada camp and the Warriors upcoming training camp. “I definitely wanted to get better on my skates. My edge work and turning, puck handling, my shot, and getting stronger and faster.”
Brook is quick to point out that all this talk about hockey has him excited for the Warriors 2016 Training Camp. “I’m exciting already, I wish it would start already.”
The Warriors 2016 Training Camp opens Wednesday, August 24th with registration, Rookie Camp begins August 25th and Main Camp will start Saturday, August 27th. The Warriors Annual Black-White Game will be Sunday, August 28th at 4pm.
