15 WHL players to represent Canada at 2024 U17 World Challenge
Calgary, Alta. – A total of 15 WHL players will represent Canada, split across two teams, at the 2024 U17 World Challenge, scheduled for November 3-9, 2024, in Sarnia, Ont. Hockey Canada announced the 44 players for Team Red and Team White Thursday morning.
Ten WHL Clubs will feature at least one player at the 2024 World U17 Challenge, with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Medicine Hat Tigers, Prince Albert Raiders, Spokane Chiefs, and Vancouver Giants all being represented by two players each. The Edmonton Oil Kings, Everett Silvertips, Prince George Cougars, Tri-City Americans, and Victoria Royals will also be represented by one player each.
Set to make his debut for Canada as a member of Team Red on the international stage is exceptional status defenceman Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / Calgary, Alta.). The 15-year-old blueliner is off to a strong start in his first WHL season, being named WHL Rookie of the Week on October 1, and collecting 11 points (4G-7A) in seven games. DuPont was selected by the Silvertips with the first overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
Headlining the roster for Canada White is defenceman Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders / Lacombe, Alta.). In his first WHL season, the 16-year-old rearguard has tallied two points (1G-1A) in six games. Rudolph was selected by the Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
Canada Red U-17 Team – WHL Players
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Ht | Wt | Pos |
| Esler | Carter | Spokane Chiefs | Okotoks, Alta. | 5’9” | 140 | G |
| Carels | Carson | Prince George Cougars | Cypress River, Man. | 6’0” | 168 | D |
| DuPont | Landon | Everett Silvertips | Calgary, Alta. | 5’10” | 172 | D |
| Iginla | Joe | Edmonton Oil Kings | Lake Country, B.C. | 5’10” | 157 | F |
| Jacobson | Jaxon | Brandon Wheat Kings | Brandon, Man. | 5’8” | 162 | F |
| Olson | Brett | Vancouver Giants | Spruce Grove, Alta. | 6’2” | 168 | F |
| Pavao | Cruz | Tri-City Americans | Calgary, Alta. | 5’10” | 183 | F |
Canada White U-17 Team – WHL Players
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Ht | Wt | Pos |
| Lin | Ryan | Vancouver Giants | Richmond, B.C. | 5’11” | 152 | D |
| Pantelas | Giorgos | Brandon Wheat Kings | Victoria, B.C. | 6’2” | 184 | D |
| Rudolph | Daxon | Prince Albert Raiders | Lacombe, Alta. | 6’1” | 185 | D |
| Verhoeff | Keaton | Victoria Royals | Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. | 6’3” | 200 | D |
| Boychuk | Riley | Prince Albert Raiders | Cochrane, Alta. | 5’9” | 160 | F |
| Preston | Mathis | Spokane Chiefs | Penticton, B.C. | 5’11” | 166 | F |
| Ruck | Liam | Medicine Hat Tigers | Osoyoos, B.C. | 5’11” | 155 | F |
| Ruck | Markus | Medicine Hat Tigers | Osoyoos, B.C. | 5’10” | 150 | F |
The rosters were selected by U17 head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.) and Benoit Roy (Sudbury, Ont.), director of hockey operations. Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations also provided input, along with regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic), and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), as well as Member representatives.
“Following a competitive summer camp and exciting start to the CHL season, we are thrilled to unveil the 44 athletes that will take the next step in the Program of Excellence and represent Canada at the U17 World Challenge,” Roy said. “We believe we have assembled two strong teams that will give us the best chance to defend our gold medal, and we know all 44 players are excited to wear the Maple Leaf with Canada Red and Canada White in Sarnia next month.”
The 2024 U17 World Challenge kicks off on November 3, with Canada White taking on Czechia at 3:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. MT and Canada Red facing off against Finland at 7:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. MT. Teams will play two preliminary-round games before the medal round, which concludes on November 9 with the medal games, as well as the fifth-place game. The event will also feature pre-tournament games in Sarnia, Petrolia, and Forest on November 1 at 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. MT.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the bronze and gold medal games; check local listings for details.
For more information on Hockey Canada and the U17 World Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.
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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