Burki, Kohn invited to Evaluation Camp
BURKI, KOHN INVITED TO JUNIOR CAMP
Monday, December 04, 2006
This will be Kohn's second appearance at the National Camp
CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), announced on Monday that 38 of Canada’s best junior-aged hockey players including two members of the Western Hocke League's Brandon Wheat Kings have been invited to take part in Canada’s National Junior Selection Camp from December 10-15, 2006 at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, AB.
Of the 38 players invited, 11 are returning players, having won gold at last year’s 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver. Twenty-nine (29) of the 38 named today attended Canada’s August National Junior Team Development Camp in Calgary in August 2006. Among them - 19-year old defenceman Dustin Kohn and 19-year old center Codey Burki of the WHL's Eastern Division leading Wheat Kings.
This marks the second tme in three years that Brandon will send two of its players to the National Camp. Two years ago, center Ryan Stone and right-winger Eric Fehr were among the final cuts from Brent Sutter's squad.
A second round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche, Burki is currently tied with Red Deer's Martin Hanzal for the WHL scoring lead with 47 points including twenty-one goals. Brandon's Player of the Month for September / October, the former first round bantam draft choice has 59 goals and 142 points in 224 career games with the Wheat Kings.
A former member of the Calgary Hitmen, Kohn is currently fifth in league scoring among blueliners with two goals and 28 points in 26 games. A second round draft choice of the NHL's New York Islanders, the Edmonton product will be hoping to crack Canada's lineup after being one of the final cuts last winter. In 218 career WHL games, Kohn has scored 17 goals and 109 points. He enters Tuesday's game against the Warriors in Moose Jaw, having scored points in the last six games that he has played.
Team Canada’s Head Scout Jim Hammett traveled coast to coast during the first part of the 2006-07 hockey season assessing, evaluating and selecting players for this December Selection Camp in Calgary. Hammett also oversaw player evaluations at Canada’s August National Junior Team Development Camp in Calgary.
“The quality and skill of the 38 players named today, is a testament of the hard work, commitment and development of all those involved in the Canadian minor hockey and junior hockey system,” said Jim Hammett, Head Scout, Hockey Canada. “Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, including our Under-17 and Under-18 Programs, has provided many of these players with the preparation and experience to deal with the rigors of the upcoming World Juniors and the high paced international competition. We are looking forward to a very competitive camp next week in Calgary.”
“Hockey Canada would like to congratulate all the players named today that will attend our camp, as well as their club teams, the coaches, the volunteers and the parents that have helped them from minor hockey through to now and finally their parents,” said Brad Pascall, Senior Director, Men’s National Teams. “It is a difficult task each and every year to assemble this list due to the depth of such skilled Canadian players across Canada. Jim Hammett has done an excellent job of evaluating and naming these players that will compete for a spot on our team.”
Burki and Kohn represent two of 13 WHLers invited to this year's camp. They join goalkeeper Carey Price of the Tri-City Americans, Everett netminder Leland Irving, Medicine Hat's Darren Helm and Kris Russell, Devin Setoguchi of the Prince George Cougars, Kootenay's Ben Maxwell, Karl Alzner of the Calgary Hitmen, Kamloops' defenceman Keaon Ellerby as well as three members of the defending champion Vancouver Giants - Kennda McArdle, Brendan Mikkelson and Cody Franson.
A total of three Manitobans were among the 38 players named Monday. Joining Winnipeg's Burki were the Tigers Darren Helm of St. Andrews and Winnipeg center Jonathan Toews of the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
The last Wheat King to be chosen to play for Canada's National Junior team was right-winge Jordin Tootoo, who currently toils for the NHL's Nashville Predators.
For a complete roster be sure to visit www.hockeycanada.ca
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