When Hockey Canada holds the selection camp for its entry into the World Junior Hockey Championship next week, the group of top teenage defencemen in the nation vying for spots on the teamâs blue line will have a decidedly local flavour.
Brandonâs Calen Addison (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Wheat Kingsâ defenceman Braden Schneider (Prince Albert, Sask) are among ten defensemen and 31 players overall that will attend the camp, which is to be held in Oakville, Ontario from December 9-12.
Addison was a second round selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 NHL Entry draft, having signed a three year contract with the Penguins this past spring. The local product is currently tied for second in defenceman scoring in the WHL with 26 points in 27 games. Schneider, who currently has three goals and 19 points this season, is seen as among the top players available for this summerâs NHL entry draft with many observers pegging the defenceman as a likely first round pick.
Also on the list of camp attendees are Winnipeg goaltender Joel Hofer (Portland, WHL) and five more players from the Western Hockey League. The full camp roster can be reviewed at this link.
The World Junior Championship takes place from December 26 - January 5th in the Czech Republic.