WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Canada Wins Gold Medal

Published on April 23, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


CALGARY, AB - Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team has won the gold medal in Kazan, Russia at the 2008 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship, defeating Russia 8-0 in Wednesday's Championship Final.

Canada scored early and often in the game, with Nicolas Deschamps (Delson, QC/Chicoutimi, QMJHL) opening the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 4:32. Canada scored four more times in the opening 20 minutes, with Jordan Eberle (Calgary, AB/Regina, WHL) netting a pair and Corey Trivino (Toronto, ON/Stouffville, OPJHL) and Brandon Wheat Kings' 16-year old sensation Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon.

Tyler Cuma (Bowmanville, ON/Ottawa, OHL) and Brandon McMillan (Delta, BC/Kelowna, WHL) scored for Canada in the second period and Taylor Hall (Kingston, ON/Windsor, OHL) sniped for Canada in the third.

Schenn was one of two members of the WHL's Wheat Kings to capture Gold at this year's prestigious event. The other was 17-year old defenceman Colby Robak of Gilbert Plains.

The gold medal is Canada's third medal all-time at the event. Canada has competed in the tournament every year since 2002, winning gold in 2003 and silver in 2005. The roster for Team Canada is made up of the best junior-aged players who aren't involved in playoffs in Canada. Twenty-one of the 22 players on Team Canada are from CHL teams.

Jake Allen (Fredericton, NB/St. John's, QMJHL) was named Top Goaltender of the 2008 IIHF World Men's Under-18 Championship. Allen made 18 saves in the final for the shutout.

During the gold medal game, Canada's players honoured Ed Chynoweth, who passed away on Tuesday in Calgary. Players wore 'Ed' stickers on their helmets to honour Chynoweth, who was WHL Chairman of the Board and president of the Kootenay Ice and a long-time president of the WHL.

Serving as head coach of this year's gold medal winning entry was former Toronto Maple Leafs' coach and general manager Pat Quinn, who led Canada to an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 23, 2008


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