hobster
11-16-2007, 05:54 PM
13 WHL Players Named to Team Pacific for World U17 Hockey Challenge
Created: Nov 16, 2007
Hockey Alberta and Hockey BC announced today the 2008 Team Pacific roster. This year’s squad, comprised of the top 22 U17 aged athletes from Alberta and British Columbia, will compete in London, Ont. at the World U17 Hockey Challenge from Dec. 27 – Jan. 4. This is the unofficial world championship for this age level and the first stage for Hockey Canada to identify players for the National U18 Team and the World Junior Team.
“The coaching staff is extremely excited about the group of athletes that have been selected to represent Team Pacific. We feel that this group will get together quickly, enabling us to be one of the most competitive teams in the competition. We have a blend of size and strength, combined with speed and skill, which we hope will lend us to being an aggressive and quick team, making us a difficult team to play against," said Doug Fleck, head coach, Team Pacific.
After an intense week-long Provincial U17 Camp in Calgary from July 10-15, Hockey Alberta identified 26 potential players. Hockey BC held their selection camp from July 23-28 in Nanaimo. Following four months of evaluations by the coaching and scouting staff, the 2008 Team Pacific roster has been made.
"It was a very extensive and thorough process. We believe we did the best job we could to ensure we selected the best players possible. I must commend all the players for the commitment to this program, as we know all of them wanted to play for Team Pacific,” said Russ Weber, assistant coach, Team Pacific. “Our criteria was based on speed and skill, team play, competitiveness and most importantly character. The entire staff strongly believes that one of the most important elements required to win a gold medal is having quality people on your team.”
In addition to the five Canadian teams taking part in the Challenge (Pacific, Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic), there will be five international teams from Slovakia, USA, Russia, Germany and Finland. The past four U17 World Hockey Challenges in 2002, 2003, 2005 have resulted in Team Pacific bringing home the silver medal. In 2006, Team Pacific brought home a disappointing fourth.
Team Pacific Alumni include: Kris Russell, Dan Bertram, Kevin Nastiuk, Dion Phaneuf, Andrew Ference, Jerome Iginla, Shawn Horcoff, Matthew Spiller, Joe Sakic, Wade Redden, Paul Kariya and Scottie Upshall.
For tournament information on the World U17 Hockey Challenge, visit www.hockeyalberta.ca or www.bchockey.net. Individual head shots are available of the athletes by request.
** Please see below for the 2008 Team Pacific roster**
Last Name, First Name
Position
Club Team
Hometown
Lieuwen, Nathan
Goal
Kootenay Ice
Abbotsford
Priestner, James
Goal
Kamloops Blazers
Edmonton
Barrie, Tyson
Defense
Kelowna Rockets
Victoria
Button, Ryan
Defense
Prince Albert Raiders
Edmonton
Chaffin, Steven
Defense
Seattle Thunderbirds
Calgary
Elliott, Stefan
Defense
Saskatoon Blades
North Vancouver
Manning, Neil
Defense
Vancouver Giants
Nanaimo
Olsen, Dylan
Defense
Camrose Kodiaks
Calgary
Yadlowski, Brennan
Defense
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Edmonton
Burns, Michael
Forward
Edmonton K of C Pats
Edmonton
Ferraro, Landon
Forward
Red Deer Rebels
Vancouver
Howse, Ryan
Forward
Chilliwack Bruins
Prince George
Hutt, Killian
Forward
Edmonton K of C Pats
Edmonton
Jardine, Clayton
Forward
Camrose Kodiaks
Lacombe
Kane, Evander
Forward
Vancouver Giants
Vancouver
Maylan, Justin
Forward
Moose Jaw Warriors
Calgary
Oursov, Steven
Forward
Trail Smoke Eaters
Chilliwack
Reid , Cameron
Forward
Victoria Grizzlies
Delta
Schaber, Chase
Forward
Calgary Hitmen
Red Deer
Silvester, Brendan
Forward
Seattle Thunderbirds
Port Coquitlam
Tochkin, Kellan
Forward
Ridge Meadow Flames
Abbotsford
Wagner, Dillon
Forward
Drayton Valley Thunder
Keephills
Created: Nov 16, 2007
Hockey Alberta and Hockey BC announced today the 2008 Team Pacific roster. This year’s squad, comprised of the top 22 U17 aged athletes from Alberta and British Columbia, will compete in London, Ont. at the World U17 Hockey Challenge from Dec. 27 – Jan. 4. This is the unofficial world championship for this age level and the first stage for Hockey Canada to identify players for the National U18 Team and the World Junior Team.
“The coaching staff is extremely excited about the group of athletes that have been selected to represent Team Pacific. We feel that this group will get together quickly, enabling us to be one of the most competitive teams in the competition. We have a blend of size and strength, combined with speed and skill, which we hope will lend us to being an aggressive and quick team, making us a difficult team to play against," said Doug Fleck, head coach, Team Pacific.
After an intense week-long Provincial U17 Camp in Calgary from July 10-15, Hockey Alberta identified 26 potential players. Hockey BC held their selection camp from July 23-28 in Nanaimo. Following four months of evaluations by the coaching and scouting staff, the 2008 Team Pacific roster has been made.
"It was a very extensive and thorough process. We believe we did the best job we could to ensure we selected the best players possible. I must commend all the players for the commitment to this program, as we know all of them wanted to play for Team Pacific,” said Russ Weber, assistant coach, Team Pacific. “Our criteria was based on speed and skill, team play, competitiveness and most importantly character. The entire staff strongly believes that one of the most important elements required to win a gold medal is having quality people on your team.”
In addition to the five Canadian teams taking part in the Challenge (Pacific, Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic), there will be five international teams from Slovakia, USA, Russia, Germany and Finland. The past four U17 World Hockey Challenges in 2002, 2003, 2005 have resulted in Team Pacific bringing home the silver medal. In 2006, Team Pacific brought home a disappointing fourth.
Team Pacific Alumni include: Kris Russell, Dan Bertram, Kevin Nastiuk, Dion Phaneuf, Andrew Ference, Jerome Iginla, Shawn Horcoff, Matthew Spiller, Joe Sakic, Wade Redden, Paul Kariya and Scottie Upshall.
For tournament information on the World U17 Hockey Challenge, visit www.hockeyalberta.ca or www.bchockey.net. Individual head shots are available of the athletes by request.
** Please see below for the 2008 Team Pacific roster**
Last Name, First Name
Position
Club Team
Hometown
Lieuwen, Nathan
Goal
Kootenay Ice
Abbotsford
Priestner, James
Goal
Kamloops Blazers
Edmonton
Barrie, Tyson
Defense
Kelowna Rockets
Victoria
Button, Ryan
Defense
Prince Albert Raiders
Edmonton
Chaffin, Steven
Defense
Seattle Thunderbirds
Calgary
Elliott, Stefan
Defense
Saskatoon Blades
North Vancouver
Manning, Neil
Defense
Vancouver Giants
Nanaimo
Olsen, Dylan
Defense
Camrose Kodiaks
Calgary
Yadlowski, Brennan
Defense
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Edmonton
Burns, Michael
Forward
Edmonton K of C Pats
Edmonton
Ferraro, Landon
Forward
Red Deer Rebels
Vancouver
Howse, Ryan
Forward
Chilliwack Bruins
Prince George
Hutt, Killian
Forward
Edmonton K of C Pats
Edmonton
Jardine, Clayton
Forward
Camrose Kodiaks
Lacombe
Kane, Evander
Forward
Vancouver Giants
Vancouver
Maylan, Justin
Forward
Moose Jaw Warriors
Calgary
Oursov, Steven
Forward
Trail Smoke Eaters
Chilliwack
Reid , Cameron
Forward
Victoria Grizzlies
Delta
Schaber, Chase
Forward
Calgary Hitmen
Red Deer
Silvester, Brendan
Forward
Seattle Thunderbirds
Port Coquitlam
Tochkin, Kellan
Forward
Ridge Meadow Flames
Abbotsford
Wagner, Dillon
Forward
Drayton Valley Thunder
Keephills