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OHL Saginaw Spirit

OHL Talent Arrives at NJT Selection Camp

December 11, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


The road to the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship has begun as players reported to Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp in Toronto on Thursday.

The 31 camp invitees include 13 OHL players set to take their best shot at securing a spot on the final roster as Canada defends gold in Finland after claiming international junior hockey supremacy last year in Toronto and Montreal.

"Just having the opportunity to defend gold is exciting in itself," said returning forward Lawson Crouse of the Kingston Frontenacs. "I'll be honoured should I have the privilege of representing Canada once again and I want to do everything I can to help this team win as a second year guy."

The list of invitees includes 30 CHL hopefuls with 13 from the OHL, 10 from the WHL and seven from the QMJHL.

"You're coming together with the top players in the country and it takes work to get on the same page quickly. This is a tournament that doesn't give you a lot of time for preparation." Crouse continued. "Last year we managed to bring everyone together and it showed in the success we had."

Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp runs through Sunday with a pair of exhibition matchups against the CIS All-Stars who will draw from the best University hockey talent that Canada has to offer.

This year's inclusion of the best CIS players nationwide as opposed to the geographical approach that was formerly used lines up with Hockey Canada's vision to ensure the evaluation process is as thorough as possible.

"The emphasis is to be as competitive as possible, which gives us the best opportunity to evaluate players," said Hockey Canada vice-president of hockey operations Scott Salmond. "It's a natural partnership with the CIS, the Canadian Hockey League and Hockey Canada and all but three players on the CIS roster graduated as CHL players. We believe it gives us the best opportunity to evaluate our players by bringing the best players from across the country. Their team is going to have an opportunity to practice together prior to the games and we're expecting a high level of competition."

The CIS All-Stars roster includes OHL graduates in Kevin Bailie (London Knights), Spencer Abraham (Erie Otters), Tim Campbell (Guelph Storm), Colin Behenna (Barrie Colts), Liam Heelis (Owen Sound Attack) and Eric Locke (Saginaw Spirit).

While 31 enter camp looking to secure a spot on Canada's National Junior Team, only 23 players will remain after the roster is finalized on December 20.

Hockey Canada National Junior Team Selection Camp Schedule

Friday December 11

9:45-11:00am - Practice (MasterCard Centre)

4:15-5:15pm - Practice (MasterCard Centre)

Saturday December 12

10:30-11:00am - CIS All-Stars Practice (MasterCard Centre)

11:15-12:00pm - Team Canada Practice (MasterCard Centre)

7:30pm - Team Canada vs. CIS All-Stars (MasterCard Centre)

Sunday December 13

12:00pm - Team Canada vs. CIS All-Stars (MasterCard Centre)

*Practice times subject to change

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2015


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