Twenty-three WHL players and prospects invited to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp
Calgary, Alta.- Twenty-three Western Hockey League players and prospects have been invited to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp, Hockey Canada announced Tuesday.
The athletes will hit the ice at Joshua’s Creek Arenas in Oakville, Ont. from July 18-24.
All 80 participants have been drafted by Canadian Hockey League clubs, while select few have already made their CHL debut.
While this marks one of their first opportunities to impress Team Canada brass in person, players will continue to be evaluated at the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season before rosters are finalized for the 2024 U17 World Challenge.
The event runs from November 1-9 in Sarnia, Ont.
| Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Ryley Budd | Saskatoon Blades | Calgary, Alta. | 5’11 | 157 | G |
| Carter Esler | Spokane Chiefs | Okotoks, Alta. | 5’9 | 140 | G |
| Payton Shore | Red Deer | Winnipeg, Man. | 6’1 | 161 | G |
| Carson Carels | Prince George Cougars | Cypress River, Man. | 6’0 | 168 | D |
| Griffin Darby | Portland Winterhawks | Swift Current, Sask. | 6’0 | 150 | D |
| Landon DuPont | Everett Silvertips | Calgary, Alta. | 5’10 | 172 | D |
| Ryan Lin | Vancouver Giants | Richmond, B.C. | 5’11 | 152 | D |
| Brek Liske | Everett Silvertips | Beausejour, Man. | 6’1 | 185 | D |
| Giorgos Pantelas | Brandon Wheat Kings | Victoria, B.C. | 6’2 | 184 | D |
| Daxon Rudolph | Prince Albert Raiders | Lacombe, Alta. | 6’1 | 185 | D |
| Keaton Verhoeff | Victoria Royals | Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. | 6’3 | 200 | D |
| Riley Boychuk | Prince Albert Raiders | Cochrane, Alta. | 5’9 | 160 | F |
| Brody Gillespie | Spokane Chiefs | Vancouver, Wash. | 5’11 | 172 | F |
| Beckett Hamilton | Red Deer Rebels | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’10 | 150 | F |
| Joe Iginla | Edmonton Oil Kings | Lake Country, B.C. | 5’10 | 157 | F |
| Jaxon Jacobson | Brandon Wheat Kings | Brandon, Man. | 5’8 | 162 | F |
| Caelan Joudrey | Wenatchee Wild | Airdrie, Alta. | 6’3 | 163 | F |
| Ty Meunier | Prince Albert Raiders | St. Albert, Alta. | 5’8 | 142 | F |
| Brett Olson | Vancouver Giants | Spruce Grove, Alta. | 6’2 | 168 | F |
| Cruz Pavao | Tri-City Americans | Calgary, Alta. | 5’10 | 183 | F |
| Mathis Preston | Spokane Chiefs | Penticton, B.C. | 5’11 | 166 | F |
| Liam Ruck | Medicine Hat Tigers | Osoyoos, B.C. | 5’11 | 155 | F |
| Markus Ruck | Medicine Hat Tigers | Osoyoos, B.C. | 5’10 | 150 | F |
Landon DuPont, the first defenceman to receive exceptional status to play in the WHL full-time as a 15-year-old, is among the top names to watch at camp.
Goaltender Carter Esler (Spokane Chiefs), defencemen Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants), Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders) and Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals), forward Mathis Preston (Spokane Chiefs) and twins Liam and Markus Ruck (Medicine Hat Tigers) have previously represented Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Former Spokane Chiefs scout Byron Bonora led the player selection process, while nine other current and former WHL staff will lead Canada’s U17 squads this season.
Vancouver Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta, former Kelowna Rockets assistant coach Travis Crickard, Lethbridge Hurricanes Associate Head Coach and Assistant General Manager Matt Anholt, Prince Albert Raiders assistant coach Ryan McDonald and Saskatoon Blades goaltending coach Jeff Harvey have joined Canada’s front office and coaching staff.
Giants equipment manager Cord Ivanco, Brandon Wheat Kings athletic therapist Zach Hartwick, Prince George Cougars athletic therapist Mitchell Karapita and Victoria Royals team physician Dr. Micheal Conrad will serve as support staff for camp and the main event.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
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