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Team WHL Roster Announced for 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series

October 16, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League and Hockey Canada, announced today the roster for Team WHL, which will compete against Team Russia at the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series on November 13 and 14 in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, Sask.

Returning to this year's roster are seven members of Team WHL from the 2018 event, including three of the top-10 selections from the 2019 NHL Draft in Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades (Chicago Blackhawks, Round 1 - Pick 3), Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants (Colorado Avalanche, 1-4), and Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Buffalo Sabres, 1-7). Returning forward Nolan Foote of the Kelowna Rockets (Tampa Bay Lightning, 1-27 - 2019) will add to the team's strength at the forward position while a trio of 2018 NHL Draft selections, including Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs (New Jersey Devils, 1-17), Jett Woo of the Calgary Hitmen (Vancouver Canucks, 2-37), and Calen Addison of the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-53), will once again bolster the team's blue line.

Team WHL will feature a strong Saskatchewan flavour, including Regina product Carson Focht of the Calgary Hitmen (Vancouver Canucks, 5-133 - 2019), Estevan product Cole Fonstad of the Everett Silvertips (Montreal Canadiens, 5-128 - 2018), Yorkton products Kaedan Korczak of the Kelowna Rockets (Vegas Golden Knights, 2-41 - 2019) and Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020). Finally, a trio of hometown stars join Team WHL, including Saskatoon products Adam Beckman of the Spokane Chiefs (Minnesota Wild, 3-75 - 2019) and Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020), along with Prince Albert product Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020).

NHL Central Scouting identified both Schneider and Zary on its 'Players to Watch' list as top-ranked prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft.

Team WHL will face Team Russia in Game 5 of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series in Saskatoon on Wednesday, November 13, before continuing on to Prince Albert for Game 6 to conclude the series on Thursday, November 14. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will host Games 1 and 2, while the Ontario Hockey League will host Games 3 and 4. For the first time since 2013, the event will close with two games in the WHL.

Team WHL Roster:

Forwards

Player Name Hometown DOB WHL Club NHL Draft

Beckman, Adam Saskatoon, Sask. 2001-05-10 Spokane Chiefs MIN 2019 (3-75)

Burzan, Luka Surrey, B.C. 2000-01-07 Brandon Wheat Kings COL 2019 (6-171)

Chyzowski, Ryan Kamloops, B.C. 2000-05-14 Medicine Hat Tigers Eligible 2020

Cozens, Dylan Whitehorse, Yukon 2001-02-09 Lethbridge Hurricanes BUF 2019 (1-7)

Dach, Kirby Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. 2001-01-21 Saskatoon Blades CHI 2019 (1-3)

Focht, Carson Regina, Sask. 2000-02-04 Calgary Hitmen VAN 2019 (5-133)

Fonstad, Cole Estevan, Sask. 2000-04-24 Everett Silvertips MTL 2018 (5-128)

Foote, Nolan Engelwood, Colo. 2000-11-29 Kelowna Rockets TBL 2019 (1-27)

Hamaliuk, Dillon Leduc, Alta. 2000-10-30 Kelowna Rockets SJS 2019 (2-55)

Krebs, Peyton Okotoks, Alta. 2001-01-26 Winnipeg ICE VGK 2019 (1-17)

Tracey, Brayden Calgary, Alta. 2001-05-28 Moose Jaw Warriors ANA 2019 (1-29)

Zary, Connor Saskatoon, Sask. 2001-09-25 Kamloops Blazers Eligible 2020

Defenceman

Player Name Hometown DOB WHL Club NHL Draft

Addison, Calen Brandon, Man. 2000-04-11 Lethbridge Hurricanes PIT 2018 (2-53)

Byram, Bowen Cranbrook, B.C. 2001-06-13 Vancouver Giants COL 2019 (1-4)

Korczak, Kaedan Yorkton, Sask. 2001-01-29 Kelowna Rockets VGK 2019 (2-41)

Schneider, Braden Prince Albert, Sask. 2001-09-20 Brandon Wheat Kings Eligible 2020

Smith, Ty Lloydminster, Alta. 2000-03-24 Spokane Chiefs NJD 2018 (1-17)

Woo, Jett Winnipeg, Man. 2000-07-27 Calgary Hitmen VAN 2018 (2-37)

Goaltenders

Player Name Hometown DOB WHL Club NHL Draft

Hofer, Joel Winnipeg, Man. 2000-07-30 Portland Winterhawks STL 2018 (4-107)

Maier, Nolan Yorkton, Sask. 2001-01-10 Saskatoon Blades Eligible 2020

The 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series will represent the event's return to both Saskatoon and Prince Albert. In 2005 and 2014, the event made an appearance in Saskatoon, while Prince Albert played host in 2008.

The six-game CIBC Canada Russia Series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. Team CHL has won 12 times in event history, with Russia emerging victorious on four occasions.

The 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series is supported by title sponsor CIBC, the Official Bank of the CHL, along with associate sponsors Kia Canada, Cooper Tires, and Kubota Canada. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Tickets for Games 5 and 6 of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series are available now. Complete ticketing options available at the links below.

2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule

Game 1 - Monday, November 4 at Saint John, N.B.

Game 2 - Tuesday, November 5 at Moncton, N.B.

Game 3 - Thursday, November 7 at Kitchener, Ont.

Game 4 - Monday, November 11 at London, Ont.

Game 5 - Wednesday, November 13 at Saskatoon, Sask.

Game 6 - Thursday, November 14 at Prince Albert, Sask.

For event information, please visit http://chlcanadarussia.ca.

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