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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Tokarski-Spurgeon Invited to Canada's Junior Evaluation Camp

June 25, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane Chiefs Dustin Tokarski and Jared Spurgeon have both been invited to Team Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp from July 26th through the 29th at the University of Ottawa. This camp is the first step in a process that Hockey Canada follows to name Canada's National Junior Team roster that will compete at the World Junior Hockey Championships in December.

Tokarski is one of four goaltenders and Spurgeon, one of 16 defensemen invited to the camp. In total, 45 junior-aged players (born 1989 or later) have been invited to the camp.

Tokarski was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round of the NHL Entry draft last weekend. The Watson, Saskatchewan native earned the Stafford Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2008 Memorial Cup after posting four wins, a 1.72 goals against average and a .953 save percentage in leading the Chiefs to the championship. The 18-year-old also set franchise records that included most shutouts in a season (6), best goals against average in a single season (2.05) and best save percentage (.922).

Spurgeon, a sixth round pick of the New York Islanders last weekend, was named the Chiefs Defenseman of the Year in 2008 after leading all blueliners in goals, assists and points with 12-31-43. His career high +36 led the Chiefs and was third in the WHL. Spurgeon, an alternate captain in 2007-08, has played 153 career games in three seasons in a Spokane sweater after originally being selected in the 10th round of the 2004 bantam draft.

Following this July camp, Hockey Canada will continue to monitor and evaluate these players and other eligible players in the CHL, as well as in the junior and college ranks in Canada and the U.S.A.

In late November or early December, Hockey Canada will invite a shorter list of players to the National Junior Team selection camp, which will take place in mid- December in Ottawa. During the selection camp in December, the coaching staff will select the 22 players that will represent Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.

The players invited to the National Junior Team development camp were identified, evaluated and selected by Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray, based on performances on under-17, under-18 and national junior teams at 2007-08 events, with input from the coaches on Canada's 2007-08 National Junior Team and National Men's Under-18 Team and a network of coaches and general managers in the Canadian Hockey League.

CHIEFS RELEASE PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE The Spokane Chiefs will play seven pre-season games this fall including a Friday, September 12th game at Eagles Ice-A-Rena when they host the Kelowna Rockets.

The Chiefs will start the exhibition season with their first of three games in as many days at Everett's pre- season tournament on Friday, August 29th against the host Silvertips. Spokane will play Portland and Tri-City the next two days.

The Chiefs will travel to Kennewick on Thursday, September 4th to open the Americans pre-season tournament against the Silvertips at 7:00. Spokane will play Tri-City on Saturday, September 6th before finishing the pre-season schedule with a home-and- home series with Kelowna on September 12th and 13th.

Ticket packages for the 2008-09 regular season are on sale now at the Chiefs ticket office by calling (509) 535-PUCK.

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2008


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