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Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Eye European Trip

August 6, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


CALGARY - Brandon Wheat Kings Tanner Kaspick, Nolan Patrick and Kale Clague aren't headed to the lake for the summer just yet.

After an impressive outing at Hockey Canada's under-18 development camp in Calgary, the trio learned they'll keep their busy hockey season going as all three 1998-born Wheat Kings were named to the 22- player roster for the national team, which soon departs for the Ivan Hlinka Memorial in Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia from Aug. 10-15.

Emerging from the field of 43 players (four goalies, 15 defencemen and 24 forwards) invited to the camp at Canada Olympic Park, Kaspick, of Brandon, Patrick of Winnipeg and Clague of Lloydminster, Alta., will catch an overseas flight on Wednesday following a quick morning skate.

Kaspick, who tallied a goal and an assist in the camp's three intrasquad games, is revving to go.

"There is a little bit of shock, excitement and emotions running through my head," Kaspick said of cracking the roster. "It's something I've been striving for, so to achieve the goal is a huge honour and I'm very excited about it."

The trio are no strangers to international play.

The three competed against each other in the world U17 challenge in Sarnia-Lampton, Ontario last year, captaining their respective teams.

Patrick said he's thrilled to be able to share the unique experience of travelling to Europe for the first time with his Wheat Kings brethren as the trio continue to build a bond skating together in the Western Hockey League and on the international stage.

"It's going to be a fun experience for all of us," Patrick explained. "We talked about how cool it would be if we all got to throw the jersey on and make the team together. It's pretty awesome that it worked out that way."

The Ivan Hlinka will pit Canada against the national U18 teams of Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, the United States and the Czech Republic.

Canada has won the summer tournament 10 of the last 11 years.

While Clague said the intrasquad tournament in Calgary was competitive, he expects it to pale in comparison to what's to come across the pond in Europe, where he hopes to bring to the table what he showed Hockey Canada throughout the "intense" fourday camp.

"I showed some leadership and that I'm a two-way defenceman," Clague said. "I think I proved that I can be on the ice in the last minute of a game and play in both ends. I just try to play my game and keep it simple. I'm going to keep doing that heading into the tournament."

Kaspick concurred, adding that the trio's experience at the U17 Challenge will serve them well heading into the prestigious tournament, which has been held annually since 1991.

"It's an international tournament so just like the U- 17s, it's going to be competitive," Patrick said. "Everyone is going to be gunning for it and we know that. We expect high-intensity games and it's just going to be a lot of fun."

The only other Manitoban gunning for a spot on the roster was Brett Howden, an Oakbank forward who skated with the Moose Jaw Warriors last season. There were 16 Western Hockey League players trying out, including one goalie, six defencemen and nine forwards.

Other WHLers heading to the tournament are Carter Hart (Everett), Jake Bean (Calgary), Beck Malenstyn (Calgary), Josh Mahura (Red Deer), David Quenneville (Medicine Hat), Tyler Benson (Vancouver), Dillon Dube (Kelowna), Brett Howden (Moose Jaw) and Sam Steel (Regina).

With Stan Butler, head coach of the OHL's North Bay Battalion, is at the helm of Canada's u-18 squad, Patrick is confident the Red and White will capture the tournament crown for the 20th time.

"We have one goal and that's to win the gold," Patrick proclaimed. "That's what we're going there for."

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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