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Hockey Canada names 31 players to world junior selection camp

Hockey Canada on Monday invited 31 players to next week's world junior hockey selection camp, including left-winger Alexis Lafrenière, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL draft.

QMJHL star Alexis Lafreniè​​​​​​​re expected to lead U20 squad in Czech Republic

Doug Harrison · CBC Sports ·
Left-winger Alexis Lafreniere is among 31 players invited to Canada's world junior selection camp next week in Oakville, Ont., ahead of the Dec. 26-Jan. 5 tournament in the Czech Republic. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press/File)

Canada's selection camp will be held Dec. 9-12 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ont., and feature two games against a team of U Sports all-stars —

"After a long evaluation process through summer camp, the early weeks of the CHL season and the Canada-Russia Series, we are nearing the final steps in selecting the roster that will represent Canada at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship," Canada head scout Brad McEwen said in a news release.

"We really believe there's experience within the group, some youth and enthusiasm," he added Monday.

Tourney opener vs. U.S.

The camp is a final step towards determining which players will compete at the Dec. 26-Jan. 5 world junior championship.

Canada's quest for a gold medal looking to add to their 31 medals — 17 gold, nine silver, five bronze — since 1977.

Will NHL rookies join team?

Mitch Love (Saskatoon, WHL), André Tourigny (Ottawa, OHL) and Alan Letang (Owen Sound, OHL).

"We're extremely excited about this staff," director of national teams Shawn Bullock said at Monday's news conference in Calgary. "I can assure you there's cohesion, they're relentless in their work ethic and we're extremely excited about the athletes that we've identified today."

Mark Hunter, general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights and brother of Dale, is the management lead for Canada.

"His experience and leadership is such a positive," said McEwen of Mark Hunter, the former Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM. "We're so lucky to have him drive this process to now and moving forward to the tournament."

Six years ago, the Hunters teamed to bring home a world under-18 championship gold medal for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the Czech Republic.

Canada's selection camp roster

FORWARDS

  • Quinton Byfield, Sudbury (OHL)
  • Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge (WHL)
  • Ty Dellandrea, Flint (OHL)
  • Aidan Dudas, Owen Sound (OHL)
  • Nolan Foote, Kelowna (WHL)
  • Liam Foudy, London (OHL)
  • Benoît-Olivier Groulx, Halifax (QMJHL)
  • Dylan Holloway, U. of Wisconsin (NCAA)
  • Peyton Krebs, Winnipeg (WHL)
  • Alexis Lafrenière, Rimouski (QMJHL)
  • Raphaël Lavoie, Halifax (QMJHL)
  • Connor McMichael, London (OHL)
  • Dawson Mercer, Drummondville (QMJHL)
  • Alex Newhook, Boston College (NCAA)
  • Jakob Pelletier, Moncton (QMJHL)
  • Cole Perfetti, Saginaw (OHL)
  • Akil Thomas, Niagara (OHL)

DEFENCEMEN

  • Calen Addison, Lethbridge (WHL)
  • Kevin Bahl, Ottawa (OHL)
  • Jacob Bernard-Docker, U. of North Dakota (NCAA)
  • Bowen Byram, Vancouver (WHL)
  • Peter Diliberatore, Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
  • Jamie Drysdale, Erie (OHL)
  • Thomas Harley, Mississauga (OHL)
  • Jared McIsaac, Halifax (QMJHL)
  • Braden Schneider, Brandon (WHL)
  • Ty Smith, Spokane (WHL)

GOALIES

  • Nico Daws, Guelph (OHL)
  • Joel Hofer, Portland (WHL)
  • Hunter Jones, Peterborough (OHL)
  • Olivier Rodrigue, Moncton (QMJHL)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Harrison

Doug Harrison has covered the professional and amateur scene as a senior writer for CBC Sports since 2003. Previously, the Burlington, Ont., native covered the NHL and other leagues for Faceoff.com. Follow the award-winning journalist @harrisoncbc

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