Working in partnership with Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) has extended invitations to 60 players from across Western Canada to the Team Canada West selection camp in advance of the 2016 World Junior A Challenge. Five (5) Major Midget League (MML) alumni will attend the camp in Leduc, Alberta.
The players are:
Name | Pos. | Hometown | BCHL Team | MML Team |
Marcus Mitchell | F | Kelowna | Salmon Arm | Okanagan |
Kyle Johnson | F | Port Moody | Prince George | Vancouver NE |
Ross Armour | F | Rossland | Trail | Kootenay |
Jeff Stewart | F | Surrey | Surrey | Valley West |
Desi Burgart | F | Vancouver | Surrey | Vancouver NW |
Team Canada West players are selected from among the league’s five (5) 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 camp will take place December 5 – 8, 2016 at the Leduc Recreation Centre. Players will take part in intrasquad games and practices in the hopes of cracking Team Canada West’s final line-up.
“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, BC/BCHL), 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.”
Barry Wolff (Kelowna, BC./Coquitlam, BCHL) returns to Team Canada West, this time as head coach, alongside fellow 2015 Team Canada West assistant coach Mike Reagan (Flin Flon, MB./Flin Flon, SJHL), Marc Berry (Britle, MB/Dauphin, MJHL) and Rick Swan (Sherwood Park, AB/Bonnyville, AJHL).
The 2016 World Junior A Challenge, which features two (2) Canadian and four (4) international teams, takes place from December 11 – 17, 2016 at the R.J. Lalonde Arena, part of the Bonnyville District and Centennial Centre.
Team Canada West has won gold four (4) times (2006, 2007, 2011 and 2015), captured a silver medal three (3) 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.