For 22 Canadians under 20, last Thursday morning was a morning they’ll not soon forget as Hockey Canada announced its final roster for the 2008 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic.
Among those named to the team was Kyle Turris, a highly-gifted sniper who many project could be the tournament MVP.
Turris recently finished his first semester at Wisconsin prior to arriving in Calgary for the selection camp.
“It’s a huge honor, anytime you have the honour to represent your country or to even tryout its an unbelievable honor and it’s so exciting,” Turris said. “Just walking into the dressing room and seeing the guys you get adrenaline.”
The 2008 World Juniors will be the sixth time the 6-0, 170-pound centre will represent his country in international competition.
Turris was most recently a member of team Canada at the Canada-Russia Super Series and says his previous experiences with Hockey Canada could’ve led to the current one.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play for Hockey Canada in the past,” said Turris soon after arriving in Calgary. “I think it might’ve helped give me a chance. I’ve been very fortunate.”
It has been a big seven months for Turris.
Since being drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes third overall at the June draft, he made the jump from juggling a high school education with hockey to juggling a university education with hockey and he just completed his first set of final exams prior to camp.
“School’s going well, its been lots of fun, I’m really enjoying it,” said Turris. “We’ve got a great group of guys so its been a good experience.
“[Finals were] tough, but I got through it with some help of some tutors and classmates which made it a lot easier. So I’ve got to thank them a lot.”
On the ice, the former Burnaby Express forward of the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League said he’s just had to be smarter with the way he plays in the NCAA.
“It’s a lot faster, bigger guys, stronger bodies, everything is a bit better. It’s just another step and a big adjustment. [You] just [have to] be smarter and stick to the basics and until you get comfortable…just play it simple.”
In 16 games with the Wisconsin Badgers the centre has seven goals and 12 assists. Turris, the only NCAA member on this year’s squad, will join fellow B.C.-born players Colton Gillies and Karl Alzner.
“I think it’s going to be a really good battle [and] it’s going to be an emotional physical grind so it’s going to be tough.” |