Calgary Hitmen Brandon Kozun invited to Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp
Published on May 29, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY, Alta. - Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced on Friday roster details for Canada's National Junior Team development camp in Saskatoon, Sask., from August 5-10. Forty-one skaters (defencemen and forwards) have been identified to attend the camp. Goaltenders will be named in mid-June.
Among the 41 players invited, 11 played in the Western Hockey League during the 2008-09 season, including 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medalists Jordan Eberle (Regina Pats), Evader Kane (Vancouver Giants), Tyler Myers (Kelowna Rockets) and Colten Teubert (Regina Pats). Of the players selected to participate at Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp, 12 are eligible for the upcoming 2009 NHL Entry Draft including Western Hockey League NHL Top Prospects Jared Cowen (Spokane Chiefs), Scott Glennie (Brandon Wheat Kings), Evander Kane (Vancouver Giants) and Brayden Schenn (Brandon Wheat Kings). In the past 10 years WHL players have made up 40% of Team Canada's National Junior roster and 60% of Team Canada's defence corp.
The camp roster currently includes 17 defencemen and 24 forwards.
As per National Junior Team policy, any player that has represented Canada at two IIHF World Junior Championships has the option to forego the summer camp and still be eligible for the World Juniors in December. Forward John Tavares (Oakville, Ont./London, OHL) has opted not to attend the camp this summer but remains eligible for the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Defenceman Jared Cowen (Saskatoon, Sask./Spokane, WHL) will attend the camp but may not be able to take part in on-ice sessions due to his rehabilitation from an injury suffered at the end of the WHL season.
All other invited players, as per National Junior Team policy, must attend the camp to be eligible for the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Hockey Canada will announce the four goaltenders that will be attending this camp following the upcoming Program of Excellence goaltending camp (June 11-14 in Calgary, Alta.).
The players, born in 1990 or 1991, were selected by Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray, in consultation with head coach Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat, WHL), associate coach Dave Cameron (Mississauga St. Michael's, OHL) and assistant coaches Steve Spott (Kitchener, OHL) and André Tourigny (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL). Murray evaluated these players over the course of the 2008-09 season, following these players along with numerous other candidates for the program during league play, as well as during international competitions for both the under-18 and junior programs.
"We are looking forward to a very competitive and high-energy development camp," said Murray. "With the number of talented players in this age group throughout Canada, the players named today will have a tremendous opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of our coaching and scouting staff in August."
Hockey Canada also announced the team's support staff on Friday.
Canada's National Junior Team's development camp will run from August 5-10 in Saskatoon, Sask. at Credit Union Centre. Details, including a camp schedule and red and white rosters, will be announced at a later date.
For more information on Canada's national men's teams and Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 29, 2009
- This Week In Silvertips Hockey - Everett Silvertips
- Individual Game Tickets on Sale Monday - Spokane Chiefs
- Mayer Named to World Junior Team - Regina Pats
- Eberle and Teubert Back for a Second Time - Regina Pats
- Golf with Paul Gaustad - Portland Winterhawks
- Brandon Wheat Kings Insider - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Brandon Kozun invited to Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp - Calgary Hitmen
- Hildenbrand Named Equipment Manager for Team Canada - Saskatoon Blades
- 11 WHL Players Invited to Canada's national Men's Junior Team Development Camp - WHL
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