HOCKEY CANADA NAMES 66-PLAYER 2019 U-17 ROSTER INCLUDING WINDSOR SPITFIRE WYATT JOHNSTON
Hockey Canada announced Wednesday the 66 players selected to represent Canada at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, set for Nov. 2-9 in Medicine Hat, Alta., and Swift Current, Sask.
The 66 players will be divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – and will compete against the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States in their quest for a gold medal.
In July, 112 players were invited to participate in Canada’s national under-17 development camp and introduced to the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence. The players chosen to represent Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge were selected by Brad McEwen (Whitewood, Sask.), head scout for Hockey Canada, with assistance from U17 Program of Excellence management group lead Martin Mondou (Grand-Mère, Que./Shawinigan, QMJHL), as well as regional scouts Rob Simpson (Ontario), Jason Smart (West), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic), Shaun Sutter (West) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).
“After a successful development camp with the top young players in the country, there were many difficult decisions made to select the 66 players that will compete at this year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge,” said McEwen. “We feel this group exemplifies the values of the Program of Excellence and will represent Canada with pride as we compete for a gold medal this November.”
Windsor Spitfires Rookie forward Wyatt Johnston is among 66 players that will compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge next month. Johnston, 16, was the club’s first-round selection (#6 overall) in the 2019 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. Through the opening weeks of the season, he’s appeared in seven of the first nine games, registering his first OHL goal and a +1 rating. A 6’0, 167-pound native of Toronto, Johnston posted 48 goals and 46 assists in 73 games with the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets during the 2018-19 season and another 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in five games of OHL Gold Cup action.
The tournament opens with all three Canadian teams in action Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. MT; Team Canada Red takes on Russia at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex in Swift Current and Team Canada Black faces off against Team Canada White at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will air the semifinal in Medicine Hat on Friday, Nov. 8, as well as the bronze and gold medal games on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Prior to the start of play, the teams will take to the ice for pre-tournament games Thursday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. MT. Team Canada Black will match up against Finland at the Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre in Shaunavon, Sask., Sweden will play the Czech Republic at the Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks, Alta., Team Canada White will face off against Russia at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex in Swift Current and Team Canada Red will meet the United States at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat.