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Erie Otters

Blunden gets CHL Canada/Russia Challenge nod

October 21, 2004 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Mike Blunden of the Erie Otters was one of 22 Ontario Hockey League players announced today to represent the OHL in the 2004 Canadian Hockey League Canada-Russia Challenge being held November 22nd – December 2nd in six Canadian cities.

Blunden and the OHL squad will face the Russians on Thursday, November 25th in Barrie and Monday, November 29th in Mississauga.

Other Team OHL members include forwards Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Michael Richards (Kitchener Rangers) and Anthony Stewart (Kingston Frontenacs), who all helped Canada win a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in January.

“We are looking forward to watching many of the brightest stars in the Ontario Hockey League compete in this prestigious series,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “The rosters that were announced today in each of the three member leagues of the CHL is an accurate reflection of the caliber of our players that will represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.”

Blunden, in his third OHL season, has four goals and three assists in eight games this season.

The CHL Canada/Russia Challenge will be an integral part of the identification process for CanadaÂ’s National Junior Team final selection camp. Each LeagueÂ’s management team worked with Blair Mackasey, Hockey CanadaÂ’s head scout, to select the roster of players who will represent each regional league. The first two games of the six-game series will feature Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players and be held in QMJHL centers followed by the two OHL games. The series concludes with two games featuring Western Hockey League players against the Russians.

The Canadian Hockey League introduced the Canada-Russia Challenge in six CHL cities last November. The series drew capacity crowds in London, Sarnia, Brandon and Rimouski, along with strong attendance in Halifax and Calgary. The CHL won five of the six games in the series. 19 CHL players that played in the CHL Canada-Russia Challenge last year were selected to represent Canada in the World Junior Championships.

The Otters (4-2-1-1) return to action Friday night at the Tullio Arena when the Toronto St. MichaelÂ’s Majors (4-4-2-1) make their first visit of the season for a 7:30 p.m. start. The first 1,000 fans into the game receive a free Rocket 101/Erie Otters decal.

Saturday night Coca-Cola and Team Hardinger Transportation present the Hanson Brothers from the hit movie Slap Shot as the Otters take on the Sudbury Wolves (5-3-1-1) at 7:30 p.m. at the Tullio Arena.

Tickets for both games are on sale at all Erie-area TicketMaster locations as well as the Erie Civic Center Box Office.

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