CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada, along with the Canadian Hockey League, announced Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team roster for the upcoming Junior World Cup in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic from August 8-12, 2006.
The players were selected by the coaching staff and Hockey Canada’s Head Scout Jim Hammett following a Selection Camp which ran from July 29th through August 1st. The National Summer Under-18 Team coaching staff is made up of Head Coach Cory Clouston (Viking, AB/ Kootenay, WHL) and assistant coaches Dave Hunchak (Warman, SK/Swift Current, WHL) and Jeff Truitt (Rosetown, SK/ Kelowna, WHL).
A total of 44 players have been at the National Summer Under-18 Team Selection Camp since July 29th and have been vying for one of the 22 spots on the Junior World Cup roster. Two players (Scott Brannon, John Tavares) left camp on Monday, July 31st due to injuries. A third player, Logan Couture (London, ON/Ottawa, OHL) suffered a laceration to his left leg in the final Red vs. White intersquad game on Tuesday and will not be able to compete in the Junior World Cup. Nineteen players were released on Wednesday morning, and returned home.
Canada’s National Summer Under-18 Team is one of two Under-18 Teams that Hockey Canada operates on an annual basis. In April, Canada’s World Championship Under-18 Team, comprised of players and staff members not involved in their respective league playoffs, will attend the 2007 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
Canada’s 2006 National Summer Under-18 Team includes 21 players who took part in the 2006 World Under-17 Challenge in Regina, SK. Only Justin Leclerc (Saskatoon, Sask./ Portland, WHL) is taking part in his first Program of Excellence event.
NATIONAL SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM SCHEDULE (August 2-3, 2006)
Wednesday, 10 am Team Photo (Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary, AB)
10:15 – 10:30 am Media availability on-site (Players, Coaches)
10:30 – 11:15 am Team Practice
11:15 am Domino’s Skills Challenge demonstration with select Under-18 players
11:30 am Media availability with players and coaches (if necessary)
Thursday, 8:30 am Check in at Calgary International Airport
10:00 am Flight departure
The 2006 Junior World Cup (Ivan Hlinka Memorial) will take place from August 8-12, 2006 in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic.
NOTE TO MEDIA - For media requests after August 4th and during the 2006 Junior World Cup, make your requests by e-mail or phone well in advance through André Brin, Hockey Canada’s Manager, Communications ( HYPERLINK "mailto:abrin@hockeycanada.ca/" abrin@hockeycanada.ca/ Hotel Satelit in Piestany, Slovakia +421-33-773 51 29).