SALMON ARM B.C. NOVEMBER 24th, 2016
In Leduc, Alta., 60 players will gather Dec. 5-8 to take part in intrasquad games and practices in the hopes of cracking Team Canada West’s final line-up. The Leduc Recreation Centre will host all scheduled games and practices in advance of the final roster selections for Team Canada West.
“Coaches from all five leagues representing Team Canada West assisted in identifying players which will make for a fast-paced, very competitive selection camp,” said Trevor Alto (White Rock, B.C./B.C. Hockey League), director of operations for Team Canada West. “The focus is on competition for the 22 roster spots; however, the staff is dedicated to providing each invitee every opportunity to not only put their best foot forward, but to also enjoy the opportunity to represent Team Canada West.”
Salmon Arm Silverbacks are proud to announce that Marcus Mitchell has been invited to the camp. The Kelowna native is in his second year with the Silverbacks and has wracked up up 19 points in 27 games.
Barry Wolff (Kelowna, B.C./Coquitlam, BCHL) returns to Team Canada West, this time as head coach, alongside fellow 2015 Team Canada West assistant coach Mike Reagan (Flin Flon, Man./Flin Flon, SJHL), Marc Berry (Britle, Man./Dauphin, MJHL) and Rick Swan (Sherwood Park, Alta./Bonnyville, AJHL).
The CJHL leverages its five eastern Junior A leagues – the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior du Québec (LHJQ), and Maritime Hockey League (MHL) – to select players to represent Team Canada East.
Team Canada West players are selected from among the league’s five western Junior A leagues: the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).
The 2016 World Junior A Challenge, which features two Canadian and four international teams, takes place from Dec. 11-17 at the R.J. Lalonde Arena, part of the Bonnyville District and Centennial Centre. Full-tournament ticket packages can be purchased online, and include all 13 games at R.J. Lalonde Arena.
But first, both Canadian teams will take part in pre-tournament action on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. MT when Team Canada West meets Team USA at the Cold Lake Energy Centre in Cold Lake, Alta., and Team Canada East plays Russia at the Clancy Richard Arena in St. Paul, Alta. Tickets to the pre-tournament games will be available at the door for $10; kids 17-and-under are free.
Team Canada West has won gold four times (2006, 2007, 2011 and 2015), captured a silver medal three times (2008, 2009 and 2012) and won bronze in 2013. Team Canada East has won four silver medals (2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011), and took bronze in 2008. Since the first event in 2006, more than 260 NHL draft picks have played in the tournament.
For more information on the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.
