WHL Saskatoon Blades

19 WHL Players Named to Team Alberta for 2019 Canada Winter Games

Published on December 7, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Led by 11 first-round selections from the 2018 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, including Saskatoon Blades first round pick Colton Dach, 19 WHL players will look to guide Hockey Alberta to the top of the podium in men's hockey at the 2019 Canada Winter Games on home soil.

Of the 20 players on the roster, 19 were selected at the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, with 2019 WHL Bantam Draft-eligible forward Matt Savoie the lone exception on this year's roster of 2003-born players. Of the 19 players, two are goaltenders, six are defencemen, and 11 are forwards.

Alberta will be looking for a strong performance at the tournament after a silver-medal finish at the 2015 edition of the games in Prince George, B.C. Alberta has won a medal a seven-straight Canada Winter Games dating back to 1991, but hasn't won gold since 2003. Back then, future WHL stars like Devan Dubnyk, Kyle Chipchura, Mark Fistric, and Wacey Rabbitt among others led their province to a gold-medal result.

Overall, Alberta has won gold four times (1967, 1975, 1999, 2003), silver four times (1971, 1991, 1995, 2015), and bronze twice (2007, 2011).

Alberta will begin their tournament Saturday, February 16 (7:30 p.m. MT) against Saskatchewan, followed by games against Manitoba and British Columbia.

Position Name Hometown WHL Team Draft Selection

Goaltender Lochlan Gordon Edmonton, Alta. Portland Winterhawks 3 - 57

Goaltender Drew Sim Tees, Alta. Vancouver Giants 3 - 46

Defence Olen Zellweger Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. Everett Silvertips 2 - 42

Defence Corson Ceulemans Beaumont, Alta. Moose Jaw Warriors 5 - 100

Defence Marc Lajoie St. Albert, Alta. Tri-City Americans 1 - 14

Defence Keagan Slaney Airdrie, Alta. Edmonton Oil Kings 1 - 20

Defence Kyle Masters Edmonton, Alta. Red Deer Rebels 1 - 16

Defence Matt Smith Edmonton, Alta. Edmonton Oil Kings 3 - 45

Forward Colton Dach Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. Saskatoon Blades 1 - 6

Forward Brett Hyland Edmonton, Alta. Brandon Wheat Kings 2 - 24

Forward Zack Ostapchuk St. Albert, Alta. Vancouver Giants 1 - 12

Forward Dylan Guenther Edmonton, Alta. Edmonton Oil Kings 1 - 1

Forward Kai Uchacz De Winton, Alta. Seattle Thunderbirds 1 - 10

Forward Zack Stringer Lethbridge, Alta. Lethbridge Hurricanes 1 - 8

Forward Matt Savoie St. Albert, Alta. N/A Eligible 2019

Forward Jayden Grubbe Calgary, Alta. Red Deer 1 - 7

Forward Tyson Laventure Lloydminster, Alta. Prince Albert Raiders 2 - 31

Forward Craig Armstrong Airdrie, Alta. Prince George Cougars 1 - 9

Forward Sean Tschigerl Edmonton, Alta. Calgary Hitmen 1 - 4

Forward Owen MacNeil Calgary, Alta. Spokane Chiefs 2 - 39

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2018


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.

OurSports Central