Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Wednesday that 38 of Canada’s best junior-aged hockey players (born in 1989 or later) have been invited to take part in Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp from December 11-15, 2008 at the SBP Arena in Ottawa, ON and the Robert-Guertin Arena in Gatineau, QC.
Eight of the 36 players are Alberta born players. All of these athletes participated in Hockey Alberta programs. Tyson Sexsmith, Thomas Hickey, Zach Boychuck, Tyler Ennis and Dana Tyrell all played on Team Pacific bringing home forth place in Regina at the World U17 Hockey Challenge. Tyler Myers and Jordan Eberle both played on Team Alberta at the Canada Winter Games bringing home a bronze medal. Jared Spurgeon was in the final top 25 list for Team Pacific. For a complete roster click here.
Of the 38 players invited, four won gold medals at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship in Pardubice, Czech Republic. Thirty-one of the players named to the selection camp roster were drafted in either the 2007 or 2008 NHL Entry Draft, including thirteen first-round selections and eight second-round picks.
Hockey Canada may add additional players prior to the opening of the selection camp on December 11, in the event that any NHL teams loan Canada’s National Junior Team junior-aged eligible players currently playing in the NHL.
"On behalf of Hockey Canada, I would like to congratulate the players named today, along with their club teams, their parents and all the minor hockey coaches and officials who helped them along with the way," said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s senior director of men’s national teams. "I would also like to make special note of the great partnership that Hockey Canada has with the Canadian Hockey League, which is essential to the success of the Program of Excellence."
"Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which includes our under-17 and under-18 programs, has provided many of these players with the preparation and experience to deal with the rigors of the upcoming World Juniors and high-paced international competition," said Al Murray, Hockey Canada’s head scout for men’s national teams. "The quality and skill of the 38 players invited to the camp next week is a testament to the hard work, commitment and development of all those involved in the Canadian minor hockey and junior hockey system."
Murray traveled coast to coast during the first part of the 2008-09 hockey season assessing players in preparation for the selection camp.
SELECTION CAMP INFORMATION
Players and staff will travel to Ottawa on Thursday, December 11, and will take to the ice that same evening at the SBP Arena in Ottawa (view the full game schedule at www.hockeycanada.ca).
Intersquad game schedule (all games to be played at 6 p.m. EST)
Friday, December 12 Red vs. White SBP Arena (Ottawa)
Tickets for sale at www.capitaltickets.ca
Saturday, December 13 Red vs, White Robert-Guertin Arena (Gatineau)
Tickets available at the door
Sunday, December 14 Game to be confirmed SBP Arena
Canada will play its first game of the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 versus the Czech Republic, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).
Canada has medaled at ten straight IIHF World Junior Championships including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001. |
