The BCHL announced today that 9 BCHL players have been selected to represent Canada West at the World Jr. A Challenge. 25 players were announced today as part of the pre-tournament squad, and that number will be cut down to 22 for tournament play.
Representing the Penticton Vees at the tournament are Curtis McKenzie and Denver Manderson. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are also sending a pair of players to the showcase event as Matt Grassi and Travis Statchuk got the nod. The Canada West Brass is comprised of Boris Rybalka (Camrose Kodiaks Head Coach and GM) who will act as Head Coach, Rylan Ferster (Salmon Arm Silverbacks Head Coach and GM) and Dwight MacMillan (Weyburn Red Wings Head Coach) will serve as assistants and GM Leonard Strandberg (Operations Director of the OCN Blizzard).
Assuming Manderson and McKenzie make the cut The Vees will be without the services of gritty 17-year-old and play making 19-year-old from the 28th of October to the 10 of November, a stretch that sees the Vees play 6 games.
Last season the Vees sent Brett Hextall, Zac Dalpe and Trevor Nill to the International event, and Canada West won the Gold Medal.
Here are Coach Harbinson, Denver Manderson and Curtis McKenzie on the news.
