Hockey Canada Names 14 WHL Players to Rosters for 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
Published on October 23, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - A total of 14 Western Hockey League players have been named to Canada's two Under-17 rosters set to compete at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, scheduled for November 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.
The 44 participating players were announced Monday. The players have been divided into two teams - Canada Red and Canada White. Eight WHL players will skate for Team Canada Red, while Team Canada White will feature six WHL players.
The players chosen to represent their country were selected by Byron Bonora (Brooks, Alta.), U17 head scout, and Dave Brown (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. / Erie, OHL), U17 lead with the Program of Excellence management group, with assistance from regional scouts Rob Simpson (Ontario), Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic), and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).
WHL Players - Canada Red
Last Name First Name Team Hometown Ht Wt Pos
Smith Jackson Tri-City Americans Calgary, Alta. 6'3" 190 D
Kettles Peyton Swift Current Broncos Winnipeg, Man. 6'4" 185 D
Schmidt Connor Moose Jaw Warriors Sturgeon County, Alta. 5'11" 174 D
Hamilton Reese Calgary Hitmen Whitewood, Sask. 6'0" 170 D
Reschny Cole Victoria Royals Macklin, Sask. 5'9" 161 F
McKenna Gavin Medicine Hat Tigers Whitehorse, Yukon 6'0" 165 F
Cootea Braeden Seattle Thunderbirds Sherwood Park, Alta. 5'11" 170 F
Harrington Chase Spokane Chiefs Prince George, B.C. 6'0" 165 F
WHL Players - Canada White
Last Name First Name Team Hometown Ht Wt Pos
Cleaver Koen Lethbridge Hurricanes Port Alberni, B.C. 6'2" 180 G
Fiddler Blake Edmonton Oil Kings Kelowna, B.C. 6'3" 193 D
Sharpe Will Lethbridge Hurricanes Ladner, B.C. 6'1" 190 D
Temple Cole Regina Pats Brandon, Man. 5'10" 161 F
Schmidt Cameron Vancouver Giants Prince George, B.C. 5'7" 150 F
Baumuller Joby Brandon Wheat Kings Wilcox, Sask. 5'11" 190 F
The WHL is also proud to recognize the team's coaching and support staff who will participate in this year's tournament, including for Barclay Parneta (Director of Operations / Vancouver Giants) and Matt Anholt (Assistant Coach / Prince Albert Raiders) with Canada Red, as well as Brennan Sonne (Assistant Coach / Saskatoon Blades), Spencer Stehouwer (Equipment Manager / Saskatoon Blades), and JT Ward (Therapist / Victoria Royals) with Canada White.
The Canadian squads are in action on opening day, November 2, as Canada White hosts Czechia at Credit Union Place in Summerside at 12 p.m. AT, followed by Canada Red facing Finland at 7 p.m. AT at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. Red and White will meet in the lone all-Canadian matchup in the preliminary round on November 3 in Summerside.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the medal games; check local listings for details. Preliminary-round games, quarter-finals and semifinals will be available by livestream at HockeyCanada.ca.
Fans eager to watch some of the best international players compete on Prince Edward Island can secure their seats now. Ticket packages start at $120.
As a legacy of hosting the event, Charlottetown and Summerside will receive net proceeds from ticket sales to support grassroots hockey within the communities.
More than 2,000 NHL draft picks have suited up since the inception of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (previously known as the Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986, including WHL alumnus Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011).
Western Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2023
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- WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
- Temple to Represent Canada at 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge - Regina Pats
- Hockey Canada Names 14 WHL Players to Rosters for 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge - WHL
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