CALGARY, Alta. – Team Canada is set for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games, Jan. 9-22 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The roster – which includes two goaltenders, six defencemen and nine forwards - was selected by Brad McEwen (Whitewood, Sask.), head scout for the Program of Excellence, with support from regional scouts Patrick Desrosiers (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Jason Smart (West), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic), Shaun Sutter (West) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).
“This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce these young players into the Hockey Canada program,” said McEwen. “This is a unique event, and it will allow our athletes to learn and develop their skills while giving them an experience they will remember for a lifetime.”
Four players were selected from each of the East (Que., N.B., N.S., P.E.I., N.L.), Ontario and West (B.C., Alta., Sask., Man.) regions, with five players selected from across Canada to fill the remaining positions.
Hockey Canada sought the support of its member branches and regional scouts in identifying a long-list of athletes from across the country to be given consideration for nomination to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Leading the team behind the bench will be head coach Gordie Dwyer (Dalhousie, N.B.), alongside assistant coaches Dan Lacroix (Shefford, Que.) and Troy Smith (Hamilton, Ont.). The staff is be rounded out by sport physiotherapist Michael Morin (Saint-Georges, Que.) and equipment manager Robin McDonald (Didsbury, Alta.).
Canada, which won silver at the 2016 Youth Olympics, will face Russia (Jan. 18) and Denmark (Jan. 19) in Group B play during the preliminary round, with the semifinals set for Jan. 21 and the bronze and gold medal games on Jan. 22.
For more information on the Hockey Canada and the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games, visit HockeyCanada.ca and follow along via social media at Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.