37 WHL Players Participate in Program of Excellence Summer Meetings
July 26, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The WHL is proud to recognize the 37 players and prospects who were invited to participate in Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence summer meetings in preparation for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"This impressive group of athletes is an excellent representation of the talent pool in our country, and these meetings were a great opportunity to kick off a new season and begin our preparations for two major international events," said Regina Pats vice-president of hockey operations and general manager Alan Millar, who oversaw the meetings as Hockey Canada director of player personnel. "This was a great opportunity to introduce prospective national team players to the Program of Excellence and help prepare them for international competition."
A total of 21 WHL prospects participated in summer meetings in preparation for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, while 16 WHL players, including 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medalist Kevin Korchinski of the Seattle Thunderbirds, took part in meetings ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. In all, 19 of the 22 WHL Clubs were represented at the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence summer meetings.
WHL Prospects - World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
Last Name First Name Team Hometown Height Weight Position
Cleaver Koen Lethbridge Hurricanes Port Alberni, B.C. 6'2" 177 G
Edmonstone Logan Kamloops Blazers Saskatoon, Sask. 5'10" 160 G
Hamilton Reese Calgary Hitmen Whitewood, Sask. 6'0" 160 D
Kettles Peyton Swift Current Broncos Winnipeg, Man. 6'3" 160 D
Schmidt Connor Moose Jaw Warriors Sturgeon County, Alta. 5'11" 163 D
Sharpe Will Lethbridge Hurricanes Delta, B.C. 6'0" 183 D
Smith Jackson Tri-City Americans Calgary, Alta. 6'3" 179 D
Vlooswyk Luke Red Deer Rebels Calgary, Alta. 6'2" 160 D
Baumuller Joby Brandon Wheat Kings Wilcox, Sask. 5'11" 175 F
Behm Nathan Kamloops Blazers Calgary, Alta. 6'0" 173 F
Cootes Braeden Seattle Thunderbirds Sherwood Park, Alta. 5'9" 151 F
Harrington Chase Spokane Chiefs Langley, B.C. 6'0" 166 F
Harsanyi Hayden Medicine Hat Tigers Calgary, Alta. 5'7" 140 F
McCann Kadon Medicine Hat Tigers Cochrane, Alta. 6'3" 184 F
McKenna Gavin Medicine Hat Tigers Whitehorse, Yukon 5'11" 165 F
Moroz Luke Prince Albert Raiders Regina, Sask. 5'8" 150 F
Reschny Cole Victoria Royals Macklin, Sask. 5'9" 160 F
Sawchyn Lukas Seattle Thunderbirds Grande Prairie, Alta. 5'9" 165 F
Schmidt Cameron Vancouver Giants Prince George, B.C. 5'7" 136 F
Shurgot Lee Prince George Cougars Saskatoon, Sask. 6'1" 177 F
Temple Cole Regina Pats Brandon, Man. 5'9" 150 F
WHL Players - National Junior Team
Last Name First Name Team Hometown Height Weight Position
Ratzlaff Scott Seattle Thunderbirds Irma, Alta. 6'0" 175 G
Young Ty Prince George Cougars Coaldale, Alta. 6'2" 183 G
Cagnoni Luca Portland Winterhawks Burnaby, B.C. 5'9" 182 D
Korchinski^ Kevin Seattle Thunderbirds Saskatoon, Sask. 6'2" 187 D
Mateychuk Denton Moose Jaw Warriors Dominion City, Man. 5'11" 189 D
Pickering Owen Swift Current Broncos St. Adolphe, Man. 6'4" 182 D
Benson Zach Wenatchee Wild Chilliwack, B.C. 5'9" 170 F
Danielson Nate Brandon Wheat Kings Red Deer, Alta. 6'1" 186 F
Firkus Jagger Moose Jaw Warriors Irma, Alta. 5'10" 155 F
Geekie Conor Wenatchee Wild Strathclair, Man. 6'3" 190 F
Gustafson Jordan Seattle Thunderbirds Ardrossan, Alta. 5'11" 182 F
Minten Fraser Kamloops Blazers Vancouver, B.C. 6'1" 185 F
Roest Austin Everett Silvertips Coldstream, B.C. 5'9" 175 F
Savoie Matthew Wenatchee Wild St. Albert, Alta. 5'9" 170 F
Yager Brayden Moose Jaw Warriors Saskatoon, Sask. 5'11" 170 F
Ziemmer Koehn Prince George Cougars Mayerthorpe, Alta. 6'0" 210 F
^ - returnee from 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship gold-medal team.
Players took part in virtual meetings that covered a variety of topics, including education on the Program of Excellence, Sport Safety presentations, short-term international competition preparation and meetings with the Hockey Canada management group. The discussions will allow participants to continue to evolve as high-performance athletes and utilize the strengths and experience of the Program of Excellence's leadership.
Players will continue to be evaluated through the early portion of the 2023-24 season before Canadian rosters are named for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 26, 2023
- Winterhawks Announce 2023 Neely Cup Dates and Ticketing Information - Portland Winterhawks
- Austin Roest Participates in 2023 Hockey Canada Program of Excellence - Everett Silvertips
- Wenatchee Wild Hire Sarauer, Complete 2023-24 Coaching Staff - Wenatchee Wild
- Jackson Smith Participates in Program of Excellence Summer Meetings - Tri-City Americans
- Honzek Signs Entry-Level Contract with Flames - Vancouver Giants
- 37 WHL Players Participate in Program of Excellence Summer Meetings - WHL
- Four Warriors Heading to Hockey Canada's Summer Meetings - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Royals Acquire 4th Round Pick in 2026 from Silvertips for Teague Patton - Victoria Royals
- Tips Acquire Teague Patton from Royals - Everett Silvertips
- Fresh off NHL Honour, WHL Alumnus Nill Earns Contract Extension with Dallas Stars - Medicine Hat Tigers
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