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WHL, CSSHL Set to Host Saskatoon Bantam Prep Showcase

December 17, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), in partnership with the Western Hockey League and the Saskatoon Blades, will stage the second of two WHL/CSSHL Showcases this weekend at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, with six Bantam Prep teams competing against each other throughout the weekend. The weekend will also provide the opportunity for students and parents to participate in information sessions on the WHL's world leading player development and education benefits, including the WHL Scholarship.

"We are pleased to partner with the CSSHL and assist with the staging of the showcases in Saskatoon," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "The WHL/CSSHL Showcases will not only provide an opportunity for the WHL to education players and parents to the benefits of playing in the WHL but also allow the CSSHL teams the opportunity to experience everything the WHL has to offer by touring our facilities and attending a WHL game."

The WHL / CSSHL Saskatoon Showcase will feature six CSSHL Bantam Prep teams from the following sport schools: Notre Dame Hounds (Wilcox, Sask.), Pacific Coast Hockey Academy (Victoria, B.C.), Pursuit of Excellence (Kelowna, B.C.), Rink Hockey Academy (Winnipeg, Man.), Shawnigan Lake School (Shawnigan Lake, B.C.), Yale Hockey Academy (Abbotsford, B.C.). As part of the WHL / CSSHL Showcase, all CSSHL Bantam Prep teams will also attend the WHL game on Saturday, December 16 (7:05 p.m. CST) between the Blades and Kelowna Rockets at the SaskTel Centre. In a special pre-game on-ice ceremony, the captains of the six teams will be recognized by the Saskatoon Blades and their fans. Students will also be given a tour through the Saskatoon Blades practice facilities, showcasing the commitment to player development and educational advancement at the WHL level.

"To partner with the WHL and Saskatoon Blades to operate a showcase in Saskatoon is very exciting for us," said Kevin Goodwin, Chief Operating Officer of the CSSHL. "We are very impressed by the WHL's commitment to academics, which includes their post-secondary education package. This event allows our student athletes, and their families, to gather information about the WHL and their education package so they can make an informed decision on their academic and athletic future."

While the focus will be on the ice, the WHL and CSSHL have partnered to provide students and parents with information sessions on the WHL player experience. The WHL will provide access to a special guest speaker, in addition to WHL Vice President Hockey, Richard Doerksen, participating in the sessions to provide further insight into the hockey development and educational opportunities available through the WHL.

The guest speaker at this weekend's showcase is former Kamloops Blazers captain and current University of Saskatchewan Huskies forward Collin Shirley. A product of Saskatoon, Sask., Shirley was drafted by the Kootenay ICE in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, going on to play 344 WHL regular season games for the ICE and Blazers. During his WHL career, Shirley had the opportunity to represent Canada on the international stage, Playing in the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

During his WHL career, Shirley had the opportunity to attend National Hockey League development camps with the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers. Following the conclusion of his WHL career, Shirley choose to access his WHL Scholarship and return home to Saskatchewan and become an integral member of the 15-time Canada West champion University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

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