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Okotoks to host Team West evaluation camp


Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Alberta Junior Hockey League, in partnership with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League, is pleased to announce that the Okotoks Oilers will host an Evaluation Camp for Team Canada West in preparation for the 2009 World Junior A Challenge.

 

The four-day camp will take place from September 27th - 30th, 2009 at the Centennial Arena in the Southern Alberta community of Okotoks.

 

The top 40 players from the five western leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League for the prestigious opportunity to earn a position on the Team Canada West roster.  

 

Team Canada West will include the top 22 players from the British

Columbia Hockey League, the Alberta Junior Hockey League, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Manitoba Hockey League and the Superior International Hockey League.

 

Okotoks Oilers Governor Wayne Lauinger believes the event will provide valuable exposure for the Okotoks Oilers, the community and the Alberta Junior Hockey League, "Hosting an event such as this will expose the benefits and  aim to showcase the Okotoks Oilers, the community, our players and the AJHL

to the rest of Canada.  This will truly be a great community event and we look forward to welcoming the Junior A world to Alberta."

 

Team Canada West General Manager Leonard Strandberg is confident the evaluation camp will ensure the best players are selected for the 2009 roster, "The camp provides an ideal environment for our staff to evaluate the talent as they compete against one another for a spot on the Team Canada

West roster."  Strandberg expects the camp to be very competitive as these elite players strive to achieve their goal of representing Canada.

 

"Every player involved in hockey has dreamed about representing their country and this is their chance to do it."  Strandberg will return as the General Manager of Team Canada West for the second consecutive year.  

 

Rylan Ferster of the BCHL's Salmon Arm Silverbacks, who was an Assistant Coach in 2008, will assume the position of Head Coach for Canada West. Ferster replaces Boris Rybalka of the Camrose Kodiaks, who led Canada West to two gold medals and a silver medal finish in his three years as Head

Coach.

 

Larry Wintoneak of the SJHL's Kindersley Klippers and Barry Butler of the MJHL's Waywayseecappo Wolverines will join Ferster as Assistant Coaches. 

 

Following the evaluation camp, Strandberg and his coaching staff will scout players at games and events in Canada's five western leagues (BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, SIJHL) before the final roster is named in mid-October.

 

 Summerside, P.E.I. will host the 2009 World Junior A Challenge from November 1st - 8th, 2009 at Credit Union Centre.  The 2009 World Junior A Challenge  entries will be joined by four international teams, separated into two groups of three teams.

 

The group winners will receive an automatic bye to

the semi-finals, while the second and third place teams will crossover for the quarter-finals.

 

In August, Team Canada East will hold multiple evaluation camps for the five eastern CJHL leagues (OJHL, NOJHL, CJHL, LHJAAAQ, MJAHL).  The first camp is scheduled for August 15th in Renfrew, Ontario and will be hosted by the CJHL (CJHL, NOJHL and LHJAAAQ players).  The second camp will hosted by the Ontario Hockey Association on August 22nd in Richmond Hill, Ontario (OJHL players) and the coordination of a third camp in the Maritimes is currently under review.

 

A full schedule of events and the 40-man roster for the evaluation camp will be announced shortly.   For   more informtion go to www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac or www.cjhlhockey.com.

 

Two MJHLers selected to Team West
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

WINNIPEG – Two players from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League have been selected to vie for a spot on Team West at next month’s World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Ab.

 

Tim Hayduk and Scott Macaulay, both members of the Winnipeg Saints, will join 23 other players from the B.C., Saskatchewan, Alberta and Superior International Hockey Leagues. Team West’s final 22-man roster will be selected just prior to the tournament which runs Nov. 2-9.

 

“This is a tremendous honour to be selected,” MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis said today. “Both players will make a big contribution to the team as they compete for a gold

medal at the tournament.”

 

Macaulay, who turns 18 next month, is a 5-foot-8 defenceman with the Saints. A gifted skater with tremendous hockey sense, Macaulay has been a key member of the Saints this season.

 

“My goal is to make the final cut of Team West,” said Macaulay, who is in his second season with the Saints.

 

Hayduk, 18, is a 6-foot forward who has 11 points (2-9) in 14 games this season.

 

Both players recently attended an evaluation camp at Yorkton, Sk., where they were evaluated by Team West head coach Boris Rybala (Camrose Kodiaks) and assistant coach Dwight McMillan (Weyburn Red Wings).

 

“I’m thrilled to be selected,” said Hayduk, also in his second season with the Saints. “It would be a real honour to wear the Maple Leaf on my jersey. Team West is the defending champions and it will be a challenge to repeat.”

 

Davis said the MJHL could have very well placed more players on the roster, if not for notables such as Stephan Vigier (Swan Valley), Brett Chartier (Saints), Matt

Bailey (Neepawa), Darren Bestland (Selkirk) and Andrew Hewett (South Blues)

all moving on to other leagues.

 

“There’s no doubt in my mind that all five of these players were serious contenders for the final roster of Team Canada West,” said Davis.

17 MJHLers named to Team West camp


Thursday, October 02, 2008


Oct. 2, 2008

 

 

WINNIPEG – The first step to the World Junior A Challenge begins this weekend for 17 members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

 

The 17 MJHL players will participate in a three-day evaluation camp this weekend in Yorkton, Sk. Players from the Saskatchewan Junior and The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) will also be participating in the camp, which will be held at the Gallagher Centre.

 

“This is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their talents and see how they compare to other top Junior A players,” Kim Davis, Commissioner of the MJHL said. “It’s another great step towards the development of both our league and our players.”

 

Members of Team Western will be announced later this month. The World Junior A Challenge runs Nov. 2-9. Earlier this year Leonard Strandberg, former MJHL General Manager had been named General Manager of Team Western.

 

Selected from the MJHL are:

 

FORWARDS

  • Craig Simchuk (89)
  • Tim Hayduk (90)

Winnipeg Saints

 

  • Zeanan Buternowski (89)

OCN Blizzard

 

  • Adam Stoykewich (90)
  • Colin Phaneuf (90)

Winnipeg South Blues

 

  • Shane Luke (90)

Dauphin Kings

 

  • Josh Schappert (89)
  • Michael Wilgosh (90)
  • Colan Jackson (90)

Selkirk Steelers

 

  • Ryan Duhaime(90)

Waywayceecappo Wolverines

 

DEFENCE

 

  • Caleb Suderman (89)

Winkler Flyers

 

  • Dale Warkentin (90)

OCN Blizzard

 

  • Eddie Friesen (90)
  • Brent Wilson (90)

Portage Terriers

 

  • Scott Macaulay (90)

Winnipeg Saints

 

  • Steve Shamanski (89)

Dauphin Kings

 

GOALTENDER

 

  • Chris Ward (89)

Swan Valley Stampeders

 

 

The 2008 World Junior A Challenge will follow the same format as previous years – two Canadian entries will be joined by four international teams. Canada West, Russia and Belarus will compete in Group A, while Canada East, the USA and Germany will make up Group B. The group winners will receive an automatic bye to the semi-finals, while the second and third place teams will crossover for the quarterfinals.

 

 

Third World Junior A Challenge Draws Near

Friday, September 26, 2008

WINNIPEG, MB – As the third World Junior A Challenge draws near there are several MJHL players who will be anxious to know what their chances are of landing a spot on the Canada West roster. To help the players determine their fate an Evaluation Camp is being held in Yorkton, SK on October 5, 6 and 7.

The purpose of the camp is to evaluate the top idnetified players from the MJHL, SJHL and SIJHL. the Coaching and Management staff of Canada West will all be in attendance and the players will have an excellent chance to show they deserve a roster spot. The MJHL players who will be attending the Evaluation Camp in Yorkton will be announced during the week of September 29, 2008.

August 25, 2008

 

For Immediate Release – Page 1 of 2

 

CJHL Announces Team Canada West

Camps Heading Into The

2008 World Junior A Challenge

 

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in partnership with Hockey Canada announced today the evaluation camps of Team Canada West heading into the 2008 World Junior A Challenge.

 

The evaluation camps will be held in order for the coaching and management staff of Team Canada West to get a strong grasp on the level of talent found in the 5 Junior A leagues in Western Canada.

 

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) will be holding a camp on Monday, October 6th in Sherwood Park, AB. The camp will follow the AJHL Showcase which is being held in the same facility.

 

“We are delighted to work in cooperation with the AJHL and their league showcase,” stated Team Canada West General Manager, Leonard Strandberg. “The AJHL has a history of putting top athletes in the World Junior A Challenge, and with the 2008 event taking place in Camrose, Alberta it is a nice touch to have a camp right on Alberta soil.”

 

The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) will be holding a camp with talent from these three leagues on October 5th, 6th, and 7th in Yorkton, SK at the Gallagher Centre.

 

“The western based Junior A leagues are very excited about this opportunity to gather this collection of players in one location,” declared Kim Davis - CJHL Team Canada West Representative, commenting on the camp in Yorkton. “The SIJHL, MJHL, and SJHL are all very strong leagues with a wide range of talent and skill in its’ players. It is our intention to pick out the best possible players in an effort to have Team Canada West win its’ third consecutive gold medal. The Gallagher Centre in Yorkton was the host of the 2006 World Junior A Challenge, where ironically, Team Canada West won their first gold medal.”

 

Page 2 of 2

 

Assisting in the evaluation camp include the following coaches; Ed Zawatsky (Yorkton – SJHL), Jamie Fiesel (Melville – SJHL), Barry Butler (Waywayseecappo – MJHL), and Doug Hedley (OCN – MJHL). Also assisting are trainers Ron Holloway (Yorkton – SJHL), Dave Melynchuck (Melville – SJHL).

 

The 2008 World Junior A Challenge will take place from November 1st to 9th in Camrose, AB. Canada will look to continue its success at the event, as Team Canada East played Team Canada West in the championship finals of both the 2006 and the 2007 World Junior A Challenge events.

 

The CJHL is an amalgamation of ten Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website, www.cjhlhockey.com.

 

Camrose to host 2008 WJAC
Monday, February 25, 2008

CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), announced on Thursday that Camrose, AB will host the 2008 World Junior A Challenge from November 2-9, 2008.


All 13 games of the 2008 World Junior A Challenge will take place at EnCana Arena in the Edgeworth Centre, home of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Camrose Kodiaks. It will mark the first time in the three-year history of the event that the entire tournament will be played out of one venue – the 2006 World Junior A Challenge was hosted by Yorkton and Humboldt, SK, while the 2007 event was split between Trail and Nelson, BC. In addition, EnCana Arena will be the site for the Opening Ceremonies on November 1st, which will feature a full-length concert by an artist to be announced.


The 2008 World Junior A Challenge will follow the same format as previous years – two Canadian entries will be joined by four international teams. Canada West, Russia and Belarus will compete in Group A, while Canada East, the USA and Germany will make up Group B. The group winners will receive an automatic bye to the semi-finals, while the second and third place teams will crossover for the quarterfinals.


“Hockey Canada is very excited to collaborate with the CJHL on another World Junior A Challenge,” said Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson. “Canada’s Junior A leagues have continued to develop world class players, and this event will showcase that talent.”


"On behalf of the Camrose host committee we are extremely excited and proud to be hosting the 2008 World Junior A Challenge this November,” said Glen Vinet, who will chair the host committee along with Kevin Gurr. “We believe that the community’s rich hockey history coupled with a brand new, world-class facility will set the stage for a very successful international hockey tournament."


“It’s an honour for Hockey Alberta to partner with such great supporters of the game and to be a part of such a prestigious event here in our province. Hockey Alberta looks forward to welcoming exceptional Junior A athletes to the province of Alberta in November,” says Terry Ledingham, president of Hockey Alberta.


“The CJHL is very excited to be a part of the World Junior A Challenge for the third consecutive season,” says CJHL chairman Paul Lake. “This event has shown tremendous growth through the past couple of years, and we are very optimistic that the community of Camrose will continue this path of success in 2008.”


“We are very proud that the AJHL will act as the host league for this tremendous event,” said AJHL president Craig Cripps. “I know the great Junior A hockey fans in Camrose will fully embrace this event, and will strive to raise the World Junior A Challenge to the next level. The brand-new Edgeworth Centre is a tremendous facility, which will serve as a fantastic home for this event next November.”


The Camrose Kodiaks have been one of the biggest suppliers to Canada West’s back-to-back gold medals in 2006 and 2007, led by head coach/general manager Boris Rybalka, who has been behind the bench for both of Canada West’s World Junior A Challenge victories. In 2006, goaltender Keanan Boomer and defenseman Evan Oberg were members of the gold medal winning team, while goaltender Allen York, defenseman Andrew Macwilliam and forwards Joe Colborne and Mike Connolly – who was named tournament MVP – were on the 2007 roster.


TICKETS

Tickets for the 2008 World Junior A Challenge will go on sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. MT on Friday, February 22, 2008 through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ca). Three ticket packages are available:


1st Star Package ($499) – tickets to all 13 games, as well as the Opening Ceremonies and concert; the package also includes complimentary food, a souvenir tournament program, game sheets and stats and full bar service


2nd Star Package ($249) – tickets to all 13 games, as well as the Opening Ceremonies and concert


3rd Star Package ($199) – tickets to all 13 games


For more information on the 2008 World Junior A Challenge, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac.