Tyler Benson Named to Team WHL's Roster for the 2017 Cibc Canada Russia series
October 17, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Vancouver, B.C. - For a second straight season, Giants forward Tyler Benson has been named to Team WHL's roster for the CIBC Canada Russia Series. Team WHL will face Team Russia twice beginning on Monday, November 6th in Moose Jaw, SK followed by a game on Tuesday, November 7th in Swift Current, SK.
Originally selected by the Giants first overall in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Benson (Edmonton, AB) has registered 34 goals and 81 assists for 115 points in 132 career games with the Giants. In 2016 the Edmonton Oilers selected him in the second round (32nd overall) of the NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry level contract with the Oilers in December, 2016.
Internationally Benson has represented Canada on multiple occasions. Twice he represented Canada at the World Under-17's and also helped lead Canada to a bronze medal at the 2015 World Under-18 Championship, and later captured a gold medal with Canada at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Championship. Last season he suited up for Team WHL in the CIBC Canada Russia Series and posted two goals and an assist in two games.
Per the Western Hockey League: Team WHL once again features an abundance of NHL prospects, including 13 players selected in the first two rounds of the NHL Draft. A pair of top-10 selections from the 2017 NHL Draft highlight the roster, including Portland Winterhawks forward Cody Glass (Vegas Golden Knights, 1-6) and Tri-City Americans forward Michael Rasmussen (Detroit Red Wings, 1-9).
Moose Jaw Warriors captain Brett Howden, a first round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning, will have the opportunity to suit up for Team WHL in front of a hometown crowd when the series opens in Moose Jaw on November 6.
When the series shifts to Swift Current on November 7, the WHL's leading goal scorer - Swift Current Broncos forward Tyler Steenbergen (Sylvan Lake, Alta.) - will suit up in front of his home crowd. Additionally, Vancouver Canucks prospect Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets) hails from nearby Shaunavon, Sask.
For further information, including how to purchase tickets, please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca .
Team WHL Roster:
Forwards
Player Name
Hometown
DOB
WHL Club
NHL Draft
Anderson-Dolan, Jaret
Calgary, Alta.
1999-09-12
Spokane Chiefs
LA 2017 (2-41)
Benson, Tyler
Edmonton, Alta.
1998-03-15
Vancouver Giants
EDM 2016 (2-32)
Dube, Dillon
Cochrane, Alta.
1998-07-20
Kelowna Rockets
CGY 2016 (2-56)
Glass, Cody
Winnipeg, Man.
1999-04-01
Portland Winterhawks
VGK 2017 (1-6)
Howden, Brett
Oakbank, Man.
1998-03-29
Moose Jaw Warriors
TB 2016 (1-27)
Kaspick, Tanner
Brandon, Man.
1998-01-28
Brandon Wheat Kings
STL 2016 (4-119)
Lewis, Ty
Brandon, Man.
1998-03-05
Brandon Wheat Kings
COL 2017 (FA)
Lind, Kole
Shaunavon, Sask.
1998-10-16
Kelowna Rockets
VAN 2017 (2-33)
Phillips, Matthew
Calgary, Alta.
1998-04-06
Victoria Royals
CGY 2016 (6-166)
Rasmussen, Michael
Surrey, B.C.
1999-04-17
Tri-City Americans
DET 2017 (1-9)
Steel, Sam
Sherwood Park, Alta.
1998-02-03
Regina Pats
ANA 2016 (1-30)
Steenbergen, Tyler
Sylvan Lake, Alta.
1998-01-07
Swift Current Broncos
ARI 2017 (5-128)
Defencemen
Player Name
Hometown
DOB
WHL Club
NHL Draft
Bean, Jake
Calgary, Alta.
1998-06-09
Calgary Hitmen
CAR 2016 (1-13)
Cholowski, Dennis
Langley, B.C.
1998-02-15
Prince George Cougars
DET 2016 (1-20)
Clague, Kale
Lloydminster, Alta.
1998-06-05
Brandon Wheat Kings
LA 2016 (2-51)
Foote, Cal
Englewood, Col.
1998-12-13
Kelowna Rockets
TB 2017 (1-14)
Mahura, Josh
St. Albert, Alta.
1998-05-05
Regina Pats
ANA 2016 (3-85)
Quenneville, David
Edmonton, Alta.
1998-03-13
Medicine Hat Tigers
NYI 2016 (7-200)
Goaltenders
Player Name
Hometown
DOB
WHL Club
NHL Draft
Hart, Carter
Sherwood Park, Alta.
1998-08-13
Everett Silvertips
PHI 2016 (2-48)
Skinner, Stuart
Edmonton, Alta.
1998-11-01
Lethbridge Hurricanes
EDM 2017 (3-78)
Each of the three CHL member Leagues assembled a selection committee, working closely with Hockey Canada, to select the players for this year's series. This year, Team WHL will be coached by Tim Hunter (Moose Jaw Warriors), who will also serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Regina Pats general manager and head coach John Paddock and Swift Current Broncos director of player personnel and head coach Manny Viveiros will serve as assistant coaches for Team WHL.
The six-game series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. For the fourth straight season, the event will open with two games in the WHL.
Since the event first began in 2003, CHL teams have played to an overall record of 58-19-1-6. The competitiveness of the rivalry has grown in recent years with four of the last seven series decided in the final game, and with Russia earning three series wins since 2010 compared to the CHL's four series triumphs over the same period including last season by a 13-5 margin in points.
The 2017 CIBC Canada Russia series is supported by CHL associate sponsors Cooper Tires and Sherwin-Williams. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule:
Game 1 - Monday November 6 at Moose Jaw, SK
Game 2 - Tuesday November 7 at Swift Current, SK
Game 3 - Thursday November 9 at Owen Sound, ON
Game 4 - Monday November 13 at Sudbury, ON
Game 5 - Tuesday November 14 at Charlottetown, PE
Game 6 - Thursday November 16 at Moncton, NB
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