Hockey Canada unveiled the national U20 selection camp roster for the IIHF World Junior Championship on Monday afternoon, and Kootenay Ice captain Sam Reinhart was included.
Reinhart joins eight other WHLers, including his brother Griffin, in a 25-man selection camp that will begin on Dec. 12 in Etobicoke, Ont.
“I would like to congratulate the 25 players that received an invitation today,” said Ryan Jankowski, head scout for Canada’s National Junior Team. “Canada is fortunate to have great depth of talent, and these players should be proud of this special opportunity. I would also like to thank the general managers and coaches of the Canadian Hockey League for their great support throughout this process.”
The Reinhart siblings along with Hunter Shinkaruk, Curtis Lazar, Nic Petan, Derrick Pouliot, Damon Severson, Josh Morrissey and Taylor Leier make up the WHL portion of the selection camp roster.
Other notable names include OHL phenom Connor McDavid and Adam Pelech, both who play for the Erie Otters, which are coached by former Kootenay Ice bench boss Kris Knoblauch.
Aaron Ekblad, a defence man for the Barrie Colts of the OHL, was also on the list of invitees. Ekblad is considered a top prospect that could challenge Sam Reinhart for first overall honours in the 2014 NHL draft.
Mathew Dumba, a former defenceman for the Red Deer Rebels, was also named to the camp roster. Dumba is currently playing in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild, and was loaned to Hockey Canada for the World Junior tournament.
Other teenage talent in the NHL could be made available. Sean Monahan with the Calgary Flames is currently recovering from injury, but Morgan Rielly (Toronto) Tom Wilson (Washington) and Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado) will not be released by their respective clubs.
Only two goaltenders—Zachary Fucale and Jake Paterson—were invited.
“On behalf of the Canadian Hockey League, congratulations and best of luck to all of the players named to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp,” said CHL President David Branch. “ The CHL is very proud of our partnership with Hockey Canada and we look forward to watching our players and coaches represent our league at the World Junior Championship in Sweden.”
The final roster of 22 players has to be finalized by Dec. 25th.
Goaltenders
Zachary Fucale Halifax (QMJHL) MTL ‘13 (2, 36)
Jake Paterson Saginaw (OHL) DET ‘12 (3, 80)
Defence
Chris Bigras Owen Sound (OHL) COL ‘13 (2, 32)
Mathew Dumba Minnesota (NHL) MIN ‘12 (1, 7)
Aaron Ekblad Barrie (OHL) 2014 Draft
Josh Morrissey Prince Albert (WHL) WPG ‘13 (1, 13)
Adam Pelech Erie (OHL) NYI ‘12 (3, 65)
Derrick Pouliot Portland (WHL) PIT ‘12 (1, 8)
Griffin Reinhart Edmonton (WHL) NYI ‘12 (1, 4)
Damon Severson Kelowna (WHL) NJ ‘12 (2, 60)
Forwards
Josh Anderson London (OHL) CBJ ‘12 (4, 95)
Jonathan Drouin Halifax (QMJHL) TB ‘13 (1, 3)
Frédérik Gauthier Rimouski (QMJHL) TOR ‘13 (1, 21)
Félix Girard Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) NSH ‘13 (4, 95)
Bo Horvat London (OHL) VAN ‘13 (1, 9)
Charles Hudon Chicoutimi (QMJHL) MTL ‘12 (5, 122)
Scott Laughton Oshawa (OHL) PHI ‘12 (1, 20)
Curtis Lazar Edmonton (WHL) OTT ‘13 (1, 17)
Taylor Leier Portland (WHL) PHI ‘12 (4, 117)
Anthony Mantha Val-d’Or (QMJHL) DET ‘13 (1, 20)
Connor McDavid Erie (OHL) 2015 Draft
Nic Petan Portland (WHL) WPG ‘13 (2, 43)
Sam Reinhart Kootenay (WHL) 2014 Draft
Kerby Rychel Windsor (OHL) CBJ ‘13 (1, 19)
Hunter Shinkaruk Medicine Hat (WHL) VAN ‘13 (1, 24)