Pistons’ Gaber named to Team Canada West

Photos by: Hockey Canada

Steinbach Pistons’ forward Riese Gaber has been named to Team Canada West which will compete in the World Junior A Challenge scheduled for Dec. 10-16 in Truro, NS.

Gaber, 18, was selected after attending a recent identification camp, which consisted of 60 players: seven MJHL players were invited.

Gaber, who hails from Gilbert Plains, was recently acquired by the Pistons from the Dauphin Kings in a trade saw the Pistons trade Danny Pion F (1998), the MJHL List Rights to Matt Boonstra D (2001), 2018 MJHL 5th Round Pick and Future Considerations to the Kings in exchange for Gaber.

In 27 games with the Kings Gaber had 21 points (15-6).

Kevin Saurette of the MJHL (Hockey Operations Director) will hold the same position with Team Canada West, while Riley Kosmolak (Steinbach) has been named Equipment Manager.

Team Canada West players were selected from the CJHL’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 will open the tournament against Team Czech on Dec. 10.

Nine of the 11 gold-medal games at the World Junior A Challenge have featured at least one Canadian team. Team Canada West won gold at the first two tournaments, in 2006 and 2007, and also took home gold in 2011 and 2015. The team also won silver medals in 2008, 2009, and 2012, as well as bronze in 2013.