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Prince George Cougars

Jackson Leppard to Represent Canada at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge

October 12, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


Prince George, B.C. - The Prince George Cougars are thrilled to announce that 2000-born forward Jackson Leppard (North Vancouver, BC) will be one of 66 representatives to represent Canada during the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge which takes place October 27^th - November 5^th in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

Leppard (6'2", 191 pounds) has appeared in two games so far this season for the Cougars and also appeared in two last season as an under-ager. He was drafted by the team in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft and is coming off a season in Midget where he posted 14 goals and 17 assists and 32 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Vancouver Northwest Giants. During his final bantam season in 2014-15, he posted 46 goals, 43 assists and 124 penalty minutes with the North Shore Winter Club Winterhawks.

"We're very happy for Jackson that he gets the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Under-17 Challenge," said Cougars Head Coach, Richard Matvichuk. "He's a hard worker with a great attitude and I expect that he'll be a prominent part of his team's success at the event."

Per the WHL's release: The process, which began with 111 players who took part in a seven-day development camp in late July, will be finalized next week when the 66-player roster is divided to make up the three Canadian teams - Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White - who will face the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States in their quest for gold.

The player selections were made by Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada's director of player personnel, with assistance from Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence management group lead for under-17, Dale DeGray, and regional scouts Carl Bouchard (Quebec), Barclay Branch (Ontario), Wade Klippenstein (West), Kevin Mitchell (Atlantic), and Darrel Woodley (Ontario).

"These are the 66 best players in the country who are, by-and-large, making their first appearance in international competition as part of Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence. They have been selected not only based on their current ability, but also on their potential to represent Canada at under-18 and junior competition in the comings years," said Shawn Bullock, senior manager of hockey operations and men's national teams for Hockey Canada. "This is a skilled group of high-performers with long-term international potential, and we look forward to working with them at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and in the future."

Previous Cougars to have played in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge include: Jansen Harkins (2013), Brad Morrison (2013), Jesse Gabrielle (2013), Tate Olson (2013). Nick McBride (2013), and Josh Anderson (2014).

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