Eight WHL Prospects Named to Winter Youth Olympic Games Rosters

January 14, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release

Tri-City Americans Forward Carson Focht
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In accordance with event rules, teams will take just a 17-player roster (two goaltenders, six defencemen, nine forwards) to Norwary to compete between February 12th-21st. All players in the event were born in the year 2000.

WHL Prospects on Team Canada for 2016 Winter Youth Olympics

Pos H W Hometown 2015 WHL Bantam Draft

Luka Burzan F 6'0" 170 Surrey, BC Moose Jaw, 6th Overall

Carson Focht F 6'0" 152 Regina, SK Tri-City, 7th Overall

Tristen Neilsen F 5'10" 168 Fort St. John, BC Calgary, 20th Overall

Ty Smith D 5'10" 161 Lloydminster, AB Spokane, 1st Overall

Jett Woo D 6'0" 190 Winnipeg, MB Moose Jaw, 4th Overall

Full Roster HERE

WHL Prospects on Team USA for 2016 Winter Youth Olympics

Pos H W Hometown 2015 WHL Bantam Draft

Erik Middendorf F 6'0" 165 Scottsdale, AZ Moose Jaw, 4th Round

Ryan Savage F 5'10" 165 Scottsdale, AZ Everett, 4th Round

Todd Scott G 5'11" 190 Albertville, MN Vancouver, 10th Round

Full Roster HERE

The men's hockey tournament features five countries - Canada, Finland, Norway, Russia, and the United States - who will play in a round-robin format before semifinals and the gold-medal game. After capturing the bronze medal in 2012, Canada opens on February 13th against Russia, and will also face Finland, Norway and the United States during preliminary-round play.

The event will also feature a skills challenge where each team will select one representative to compete. Tri-City Americans prospect Carson Focht has been selected to compete in the event for Canada.

Tri-City Americans prospect Carson Focht selected to represent Team Canada in 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games Skills Competition.

For Team Canada, players were chosen by Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada's director of player personnel, with support from regional scouts, Carl Bouchard (Quebec), Barclay Branch (Ontario), Wade Klippenstein (West), Kevin Mitchell (Atlantic), and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the group of players chosen to represent Canada to compete at the highest level in international competition," said Scott Salmond, vice-president of hockey operations and national teams. "This event is a unique experience unlike any other, and will be something that our athletes learn from and remember for a lifetime."

Players were selected based on their permanent home residence, and players playing outside of Canada were not considered in the evaluation process. All regions (East, Ontario, and West) were ensured five players on the final Canadian roster, with the remaining two spots being awarded to the next-best players.

Tri-City Americans Forward Carson Focht

Western Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2016

• Smith Named to Canadian Youth Olympic Team - Spokane Chiefs
• The Boeing Company Airplane Toss, Daylight Classic Highlight Weekend - Portland Winterhawks
• Wheat Kings Set for Big Weekend - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Eight WHL Prospects Named to Winter Youth Olympic Games Rosters - WHL
• Prospects Headed to Youth Olympics - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Hitmen Prospect Tristen Nielsen to Play at 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games - Calgary Hitmen
• Tigers Come Back to Beat Blazers in Shootout - Kamloops Blazers
• Blades Dulled in Spokane - Saskatoon Blades
• Hockey Hounds Game Worn Jersey Draw January 15 - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Portland Explodes in Third to Top Pats 4-1 - Regina Pats
• A Night of Firsts as Chiefs Slice Through Blades for 9-2 Win - Spokane Chiefs
• Tigers Erase 4 Goal Deficit - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Bow Shuts out Cougars - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Third Period Explosion Gives Portland 4-1 Win over Regina - Portland Winterhawks
• Oil Kings Fall 3-1 to Raiders - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Steener Scores 2 in Loss to Lethbridge - Swift Current Broncos
• Prince Albert begins three-game road trip with win in Edmonton - Prince Albert Raiders

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