HOCKEY CANADA SETS CANADIAN TEAM ROSTERS FOR 2016 WORLD UNDER-17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE

With action set to get underway next week, Hockey Canada has finalized the rosters for the three Canadian teams participating at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Oct. 27-Nov. 5.

The 66 players selected to represent their country during the seven days of competition and one day of pre-tournament play have been assigned to one of three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and 2015 gold-medallist, Team Canada White.

“We have the best 66 players in the country to work with, and our goal is to put together three competitive teams who are not only gaining valuable experience in international competition, but also giving fans in Sault Ste. Marie – and across the country – a lot to cheer about,” said Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, who made all player selections, with assistance from Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence management group lead for under-17, Dale DeGray, and regional scouts Carl Bouchard (Quebec), Barclay Branch (Ontario), Wade Klippenstein (West), Kevin Mitchell (Atlantic), and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).

In June, Hockey Canada announced that Team Canada Black will be coached by Paul Boutillier (Sydney, N.S./Saint John, QMJHL), with assistance from Chris Dennis (Toronto/York University, OUA) and David Struch (Flin Flon, Man./Regina, WHL). Team Canada Red’s head coach, Rocky Thompson (Calgary/Windsor, OHL) will be assisted by Mitch Love (Quesnel, B.C./Everett, WHL) and Ryan Marsh (Quesnel, B.C./Edmonton, WHL); while Team Canada White will be led by Brent Kisio (Calgary/Lethbridge, WHL), with assistance from Jamie Heward (Regina/Swift Current, WHL) and Daniel Jacob (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que./Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL).

The Essar Centre and John Rhodes Community Centre will play host to the eight teams who will gut it out during seven days of competition in the hopes of securing gold for their country. Team Canada Black, Team Canada White, the Czech Republic and United States will play in Group A, while Team Canada Red, Finland, Russia and Sweden will comprise Group B.