Brandon Wheat Kings Insider
May 29, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Three members of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings have been invited to attend this summer's National Junior Selection Camp in Saskatoon, Sask.
Hockey Canada has announced that 41 players including 11 from the WHL will attend the camp, which will run from August 5th - 10th.
This Camp will assist Team Canada's coaching staff in evaluating this country's top junior aged players in preparation for this year's World Junior Hockey Championship, to be held from December 22nd, 2009 - January 5th, 2010 in Saskatoon and Regina.
Heading up the list of Wheat Kings that will be attending this summer's camp is Saskatoon product Brayden Schenn. The former WHL Rookie of the Year will be joined by linemate Scott Glennie and defenceman Colby Robak.
A second round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, Robak finished among the league's top scoring defenceman this past season with thirteen goals and 42 points in 65 games. As well, the Gilbert Plains Manitoba product was second on the team with an impressive +30 plus / minus ranking.
An 18-year old Winnipeg native, Glennie averaged well over a point per game last season as he scored 28 goals and 70 points in 55 games.
Schenn, who turns 18 later this summer, has led the Wheat Kings in scoring the past two years. In 2008-09, the former first round bantam draft choice had 32 goals and 88 points in seventy games. In two seasons, he has scored 60 goals and 159 points in 136 games.
Both Schenn and Glennie could be first round draft picks when this year's NHL Entry Draft is held next month in Montreal. While the two linemates helped Team Canada capture the prestigious Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in the Czech Republic last summer, Schenn also teamed up with Robak to lead Canada to last spring's World Under 18 Hockey Championships in Russia.
Among the 41 players invited, 11 played in the Western Hockey League during the 2008-09 season, including 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medalists Jordan Eberle (Regina Pats), Evader Kane (Vancouver Giants), Tyler Myers (Kelowna Rockets) and Colten Teubert (Regina Pats). Of the players selected to participate at Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp, 12 are eligible for the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft including Western Hockey League NHL Top Prospects Jared Cowen (Spokane Chiefs), Scott Glennie (Brandon Wheat Kings), Evander Kane (Vancouver Giants) and Brayden Schenn (Brandon Wheat Kings). In the past 10 years WHL players have made up 40% of Team Canada's National Junior roster and 60% of Team Canada's defence corp.
The camp roster currently includes 17 defencemen and 24 forwards.
As per National Junior Team policy, any player that has represented Canada at two IIHF World Junior Championships has the option to forego the summer camp and still be eligible for the World Juniors in December. Forward John Tavares (Oakville, Ont./London, OHL) has opted not to attend the camp this summer but remains eligible for the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Defenceman Jared Cowen (Saskatoon, Sask./Spokane, WHL) will attend the camp but may not be able to take part in on-ice sessions due to his rehabilitation from an injury suffered at the end of the WHL season.
All other invited players, as per National Junior Team policy, must attend the camp to be eligible for the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Hockey Canada will announce the four goaltenders that will be attending this camp following the upcoming Program of Excellence goaltending camp (June 11-14 in Calgary, Alta.).
The players, born in 1990 or 1991, were selected by Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray, in consultation with head coach Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat, WHL), associate coach Dave Cameron (Mississauga St. Michael's, OHL) and assistant coaches Steve Spott (Kitchener, OHL) and André Tourigny (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL). Murray evaluated these players over the course of the 2008-09 season, following these players along with numerous other candidates for the program during league play, as well as during international competitions for both the under-18 and junior programs.
"We are looking forward to a very competitive and high-energy development camp," said Murray. "With the number of talented players in this age group throughout Canada, the players named today will have a tremendous opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of our coaching and scouting staff in August."
Hockey Canada also announced the team's support staff on Friday.
Canada's National Junior Team's development camp will run from August 5-10 in Saskatoon, Sask. at Credit Union Centre. Details, including a camp schedule and red and white rosters, will be announced at a later date.
For more information on Canada's national men's teams and Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.
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Western Hockey League Stories from May 29, 2009
- This Week In Silvertips Hockey - Everett Silvertips
- Individual Game Tickets on Sale Monday - Spokane Chiefs
- Mayer Named to World Junior Team - Regina Pats
- Eberle and Teubert Back for a Second Time - Regina Pats
- Golf with Paul Gaustad - Portland Winterhawks
- Brandon Wheat Kings Insider - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Brandon Kozun invited to Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp - Calgary Hitmen
- Hildenbrand Named Equipment Manager for Team Canada - Saskatoon Blades
- 11 WHL Players Invited to Canada's national Men's Junior Team Development Camp - WHL
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