RED DEER – Hockey Alberta has named Airdrie native, Dana Tyrell to Team Pacific after fellow forward Colton Sceviour went down with an injury. Sceviour suffered a broken jaw in a game on December 11 versus the Spokane Chiefs.
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rTyrell who plays the middle for the WHL’s Prince George Cougars is a welcome addition to the squad. Assistant Coach Tom Keca commented on Tyrell stepping in and filling a role. Says Keca, “Dana was originally very close to making the team and the next forward on our list. We are confident he will be a contributing member of our success as a team.â€?
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rTeam Pacific kicks off their schedule with an exhibition game in Moose Jaw on December 28 versus Team USA. Round robin play begins in Regina on December 29, against Team Finland.
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rThis year’s squad, comprised of the top 22 under 17 aged athletes from Alberta and British Columbia, will compete in Regina at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge December 28, 2005- January 4, 2006. This is the unofficial World Championship for this age level and the first stage for Hockey Canada to identify players for the National Under 18 Team and the World Junior Team.
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rAfter an intense week-long Provincial Under 17 Camp in Calgary from July 12 – July 17, 2005, Hockey Alberta identified 25 potential players. Following four months of evaluations by the coaching staff, the final Alberta selections have been made. British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association named its selections through their Best Ever Program on July 24, 2005.
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rIn addition to the five Canadian teams (Pacific, Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic), there will be five international teams from Slovakia, USA, Czech Republic, Germany and Finland. The past four U-17 World Hockey Challenges in 2001, 2002 and 2004, 2005 have resulted in Team Pacific bringing home the silver medal.
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rRecent Team Pacific Alumni includes: Leland Irving (2005), Keaton Ellerby (2005), Devin Setoguchi (2004), Dan Bertram (2004), Shawn Belle (2002), Jeremy Colliton (2002), Kevin Nastiuk (2002), Dion Phaneuf (2002), Ryan Stone (2002), Dan Blackburn (2000), Matthew Spiller (2000), Jeff Woywitka (2000) and Scottie Upshall (2000).
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rFor tournament information on the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, visit www.hockeycanada.ca. Individual head shots are available of the Alberta athletes by request.