Schenn named to U17 team

[Jovorock]

Schenn Named to Team Western
Created: Nov 17, 2005
Winnipeg (Courtesy of www.whl.ca) – Hockey Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association are proud to announce the members for Team Western who will be competing in the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge in Regina, Saskatchewan from December 28, 2005 to January 4, 2006.

The announcement of the final roster, which includes 11 players from Saskatchewan and 11 players from Manitoba, concludes a lengthy selection process that has been going on in both provinces. Players first take part in regional camps. The top players from each region then compete against each other in a Spring Tournament, and from there, the top players attend a Summer Camp. Eleven (11) players are then chosen from each of the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Branches to form Team Western.

Team Western will look to defend their gold medal from last year’s championships, and Head Coach Del Pedrick feels we have the team to do just that. “We are looking to continue the high standard set by last year’s team, and we feel we have the right players to do just that” Pedrick exclaimed.

Representing Manitoba on this year’s Team Western are the following players: David Aime, Jay Fehr, Ryan Funk, Nathan Green, Jason Gregoire, Bryce Lamb, Alex Plante, Brett Plouffe, Mike Proudley, Jeremy Schappert and Joshua Schappert.

Joining the Manitoba players will be the Saskatchewan contingent of: Keith Aulie, Brett Breitkreuz, Joel Broda, Dustin Cameron, Matt Delahey, Ryan Holfeld, Derek Hulak, Dwight King, Brett Leffler, David Richard, and Luke Schenn.

Team Western departs for Regina on December 26th and will see its first action in an exhibition game against Finland on Wednesday, December 28th. Tournament play begins Thursday, December 29th versus Slovakia.

Team Western

Goaltenders
DAVID AIME, THRASHERS PROV. MIDGET AAA
RYAN HOLFELD, TISDALE TROJANS – PROV. MIDGET AAA

Defencemen
Jeremy Schappert, SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS - WHL
MATT DELAHEY, MOOSE JAW WARRIORS – MIDGET AAA
Alex Plante, CALGARY HITMEN - WHL
Luke Schenn, KELOWNA ROCKETS - WHL
Keith Aulie, BRANDON WHEAT KINGS - WHL
BRETT PLOUFFE, WINNIPEG WILD PROV. MIDGET AAA

Forwards
MIKE PROUDLEY, NEEPAWA NATIVES - MJHL
Joel Broda, TRI-CITY AMERICANS - WHL
DEREK HULAK, SASK. CONTACTS PROV MIDGET AAA
BRYCE LAMB, SOUTHWEST COUGARS – MIDGET AAA
NATHAN GREEN, WINNIPEG WILD PROV. MIDGET AAA
Ryan Funk, SASKATOON BLADES - WHL
Joshua Schappert, SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS - WHL
JAY FEHR, HAWKS PROV. MIDGET AAA
JASON GREGOIRE, SOUTH WINNIPEG BLUES - MJHL
David Richard, SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS - WHL
Dustin Cameron, SASK. CONTACTS PROV MIDGET AAA
Dwight King, LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES - WHL
BRETT BREITKREUZ, YORKTON HARVEST PROV. MIDGET AAA
Brett Leffler, REGINA PATS - WHL

[kelownakarl]

Congrats to the young lad, he is having an excellent rookie year and things can only be heading north with this guy.

[Jovorock]

Luke has played great in a role for a 16 year old. Being pushed into the 3-4 slot and hasn't looked out of place at all. Scouts must be druelling over this kid, and he will only get better. Luke doesn't get rushed and make dumb plays, he just plays it cool and gets the puck out.

Excellent artical in the Friday Kelowna Capital News.


Rookie Rocket rearguard a quick study



By Warren Henderson
Staff Reporter
Nov 18 2005

There's been nothing gradual about Luke Schenn's introduction to major junior hockey.
A depleted, injury-riddled roster has pushed the young defenceman into a full-time role in his rookie campaign with the Kelowna Rockets.
And the early returns have been positive.
"Any challenge he's been given, he's responded to it," said Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt.
"He's really taking control of the ice and making the kinds of good decisions you don't see all young guys his age make. He's been real good for us."
With fellow blue liners Kyle Cumiskey, Mike Card and Tysen Dowzak all sidelined with injuries, Schenn is not only taking a regular shift, but is seeing considerable time on the power play and killing penalties.
With two goals, four assists, and a +3 rating in 17 games, Schenn has proven to be a quick study in the WHL; this despite having turned 16 just two weeks ago.
"I've learned a lot already-the coaches and the other guys keep pushing everybody else to get better," said Schenn, who helped the Saskatoon Contacts win the national midget hockey championship last April.
"I don't worry too much about my age or anything. I just try and play the way I'm capable of playing, listen to the coaches and try and do what I'm asked to."
If there was any doubt Schenn possessed a well-rounded game, that was notion was put to sleep on Nov. 9 against Prince George when the young rearguard performed the Gordie Howe hat-trick-one goal, one assist, one fight-when he took on the Cougars' Ty Wishart in a scrap and added two points in a 7-1 Rockets win.
But little of it comes as a surprise to the Rockets brass who made the 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound Saskatoon native their first choice, 20th overall in the 2004 WHL bantam draft.
"We've known for a long time Luke was going to be a good player in this league," said Rockets general manager Bruce Hamilton.
"He's the kind of guy who's going to do a little of everything for us down the road here."
Rocket shots-The Rockets host the Seattle Thunderbirds tonight at 7 and then will travel to Kamloops to play the Blazers on Sunday at 7 p.m.-Kelowna opens a five-game home stand on Wednesday, Nov. 23 against the Medicine Hat Tigers at Propspera Place.
whenderson@kelownacapnews.com