AJHL Players Selected to Compete for the Chance to Represent Canada

October 4, 2008

Sherwood Park, AB, October 4th, 2008 – Hockey Canada, in conjunction with the Alberta Junior Hockey League, announced today the 40-man roster of AJHL Players invited to attend a one-day evaluation camp in preparation for the 2008 World Junior A Challenge.  On Monday, October 6th the Staff from Team Canada West will evaluate and select the AJHL participants who will represent Canada at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta this November.

 

“The evaluation camp provides the Team Canada Staff an opportunity to evaluate talent for this year’s team as well as future teams,” said Team Canada West Head Coach Boris Rybalka.  “This is the first time we will have a chance to evaluate all of the prospects as they compete against one another.”

 

The forty selected AJHL Players will have a second chance to impress the Scouts following the 2008 AJHL Showcase Weekend.  “The players invited to camp will have the opportunity to showcase their talent to Team Canada Staff as well as a number of NHL Scouts in attendance.  We anticipate several scouts from the NHL and NCAA will attend the camp to get a first-hand look at these highly scouted players competing together,” added Rybalka.

 

Team White – Ice Session 9:15AM – 10:15AM

Goal

Matt Esposito – Sherwood Park

Sean Cahill – Okotoks

Defence

Josh Lee – Sherwood Park

Brad Stebner – Fort McMurray

Steven Seigo – Bonnyville

Andrew MacWilliam – Camrose

Dylan Olsen – Camrose

Kodie Curran – Calgary Canucks

Forwards

Matt Mackay – Calgary Canucks

Steve Murray – Calgary Canucks

Tanner Fritz – Grande Prairie

Patrick Bartoshyk – Drumheller

Brett Cameron – Spruce Grove

Derek Rodwell – Okotoks

Matt Hallick – Brooks

Doug Reid – Grande Prairie

Shawn Bates – Bonnyville

Brett Slobodzian – Lloydminster

Tyler Henry – Bonnyville

James Bannister – Okotoks

 

Team Black – Ice Session 8:00AM – 9:00AM

Goal

Marc Boulanger – Olds

Aaron Dell – Calgary Canucks

Defence

D.J. McDougall – Brooks

Derek Weidmer – Drumheller

Wade Epp – Drumheller

Kaare Odegard – Canmore

Wade Bergman – Olds

Colin Dueck – Camrose

Forwards

Bryce Williamson – St. Albert

Daniel Carr – St. Albert

Michael Small – St. Albert

Erik Slemp – Drumheller

Zahn Raubenheimer – Grande Prairie

Dennis Rix – Grande Prairie

Corban Knight – Okotoks

Cody Kunyk – Sherwood Park

Jeff Jubinville – St. Albert

David Way – Sherwood Park

John Stimson – Brooks

Cam Lamoureux – Drumheller

 

To assist in a more thorough player evaluation process for the World Junior A Challenge both Team Canada West and Team Canada East are conducting prospect camps.  The one-day camp for Team West will include two early morning ice sessions followed by a game at 12:30PM at the Sherwood Park Arena in Sherwood Park, Alberta.

 

AJHL President Craig T. Cripps believes the camp will result in a strong Tem Canada West roster, “Our players will have a unique opportunity to display their talent to Team Canada Staff and ensure Alberta is strongly represented at the upcoming World Junior A Challenge.  The evaluation camps will allow for the staff to select the most deserving athletes from each League after comparing them to their peers,” said Cripps.

 

The ultimate dream for any hockey player is to wear the Maple Leaf on his jersey, and win a gold medal for his country.  “This type of exposure in front of the scouting community will continue to move Junior A Hockey in Canada forward,” said Cripps.

 

The 2008 World Junior A Challenge will take place from November 1st to 9th in Camrose, Alberta. Canada will look to continue its tremendous success at the event, as Team Canada East played Team Canada West in the championship finals of the 2006 and 2007 World Junior A Challenge events, winning silver and gold medals respectively in back-to-back years.