Voracek named to Czech Republic Under-18 team
Published on July 21, 2006 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Halifax Mooseheads News Release
Halifax Mooseheads' first round (first overall) pick in this summer's Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, Jakub Voracek, has been named a member of the Czech Republic National Under-18 team for the upcoming 2006 World Under-18 Junior World Cup, which will be played in the Czech Republic and Slovakia August 8 to 12, General-Manager Marcel Patenaude learned today.
It will be the second time this year the 17-year-old will represent his country in international competition. Voracek was a member of the Czech Under-18 team at the World Under-18 Championships in Sweden April 12-22, scoring three goals, three assists in seven games while helping his team to a third-place finish.
Voracek scored 21 goals and added 38 assists in 46 games with HC Rabat Kladno in the Czech Junior Extraleague last season, and played one game with the Kladno senior team in the Czech Extraleague as a 16-year-old.
The tournament could see Voracek playing against several of his future Halifax Mooseheads' teammates.
Current Mooseheads, defenceman Ben MacAskill of Antigonish and forward Logan MacMillan of Charlottetown, along with Brad Malone of Miramichi, added to the Mooseheads protected list after a June 9 trade with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, are heading to Calgary, AB next week to take part in the Hockey Canada Under-18 Summer Team Selection Camp, which will run from July 28 to August 2 to pick Canada's team for the U-18 Junior World Cup.
MacAskill, 41 games played, 0 goals, 9 assists, and MacMillan, 62 games played, 9 goals, 9 assists, played last season with the Mooseheads as 16-year-old rookies. Malone played last season with Cushing Academy.
All three have already tasted international competition, as members of Team Atlantic in the 2006 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at Regina, SK Dec. 29/05 to Jan. 4/06, where MacMillan, the team captain, finished second in team scoring with 6 points (3+3) followed closely by Malone, with 5 (4+1). Defenceman MacAskill chipped in with a goal and an assist.
MacMillan was also a member of Team Atlantic at the 2005 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge at Lethbridge, AB Dec. 20, 2004 to Jan. 4, 2005, helping the team to a Bronze Medal.
"This speaks very highly of our hockey program, and especially of our scouting staff, in providing players of this caliber to the Halifax Mooseheads." Patenaude said.
"We are very happy for these players to be exposed to the high level of competition they will experience at the selection camp and at the tournament.
"Being able to compete at this level is an experience these players will take with them for a long time and will help them in their development, both as hockey players and as people."
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from July 21, 2006
- Voracek named to Czech Republic Under-18 team - Halifax Mooseheads
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