Eight players from the MJHL have been invited to the Team Canada West evaluation camp Dec. 5-8 in Leduc, Alta. The 2016 World Junior A Challenge, which features two Canadian teams and four international entries, takes place from Dec. 11-17 in Bonnyville AB.
The MJHL reps selected to attend the camp are:
Defence:
Darby Gula, (Steinbach Pistons) and Tyler Jubenvill (Winkler Flyers).
Forwards:
Chase Brakel (Portage Terriers), Ben Dalke (Virden Oil Capitals), Riese Gaber (Dauphin Kings), Mack Graham (Steinbach Pistons), Tyler Kirkup (Virden Oil Capitals) and Will Koop (Steinbach Pistons).
Dauphin Kings’ GM/Head Coach Marc Berry was named an assistant coach to Team West.
“All of these players have been carefully evaluated prior to being named,” MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis said. “The MJHL is committed to developing highly skilled players and the selection of these players reflects the high-level of play within our league.”
A total of 60 players will be in Leduc to take part in intrasquad games and practices in the hopes of cracking the final Team Canada West line-up. The Leduc Recreation Centre will host all scheduled games and practices in advance of the final roster selections for Team Canada West.
Team Canada West is selected from among the league’s five western Junior A leagues: the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).
Team Canada West has won gold four times (2006, 2007, 2011 and 2015), captured a silver medal three times (2008, 2009 and 2012) and won bronze in 2013. Team Canada East has won four silver medals (2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011), and took bronze in 2008. Since the first event in 2006, more than 260 NHL draft picks have played in the tournament.
