WHL Kelowna Rockets

Merkley, Chartier Make Team WHL Roster for 2015 CHL Canada Russia Series

Published on October 19, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release


Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley of the Kelowna Rockets
Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley of the Kelowna Rockets
(Kelowna Rockets)

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League, Kelowna Rockets, Kamloops Blazers and Hockey Canada, announced today the roster for Team WHL which will compete against Team Russia in the 2015 CHL Canada Russia Series.

Team WHL will face Team Russia in Game 1 of the 2015 Canada Russia Series in Kelowna, BC on Monday, November 9th and will continue the series on Tuesday, November 10th with Game 2 in Kamloops, BC. The OHL will host Games 3 and 4 while the QMJHL will conclude the series as hosts for Games 5 and 6.

Team WHL's roster boasts hometown talent this season. Kamloops, BC products Joe Hicketts (Victoria Royals) and Ryan Gropp (Seattle Thunderbirds) will suit up for Team WHL in Game 2 on November 10th while the Kelowna Rockets will be represented by current Rockets Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley in Game 1 on November 9th.

The roster also boasts a total of eight first round NHL Draft selections including Jake Debrusk (Swift Current), Mathew Barzal (Seattle), Noah Juulsen (Everett) and Merkley who were chosen in the first round this past year.

For more information including how to purchase tickets please visit canadarussia.chl.ca.

Each of the three CHL member Leagues assembled a selection committee, working closely with Hockey Canada, to select the players for this year's series. This year, Team WHL will once again be coached by 2014 WHL Coach of the Year Dave Lowry (Victoria Royals) who will also serve as head coach for Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. Kelly McCrimmon (Brandon Wheat Kings) and Don Hay (Kamloops Blazers) will be the assistant coaches for Team WHL. Scott Hoyer (Kelowna Rockets) and Colin "Toledo" Robinson (Kamloops Blazers) will handle athletic trainer duties for both games.

Should Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen / Vancouver Canucks) be returned to the WHL prior to the start of the series, he will be added to Team WHL's roster.

The 2015 Canada Russia series is supported by CHL associate sponsors, BMO Bank of Montreal, Cooper Tire, autoTRADER.ca and Sherwin-Williams.

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Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley of the Kelowna Rockets
Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley of the Kelowna Rockets
   



Western Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2015


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