The Western Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League and Hockey Canada, announced today the roster for Team WHL, which will compete against Team Russia at the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series on November 13 and 14 in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, Sask.

Returning to this year’s roster are seven members of Team WHL from the 2018 event, including three of the top-10 selections from the 2019 NHL Draft in Kirby Dach of the Saskatoon Blades (Chicago Blackhawks, Round 1 – Pick 3), Bowen Byram of the Vancouver Giants (Colorado Avalanche, 1-4), and Dylan Cozens of the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Buffalo Sabres, 1-7). Returning forward Nolan Foote of the Kelowna Rockets (Tampa Bay Lightning, 1-27 – 2019) will add to the team’s strength at the forward position while a trio of 2018 NHL Draft selections, including Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs (New Jersey Devils, 1-17), Jett Woo of the Calgary Hitmen (Vancouver Canucks, 2-37), and Calen Addison of the Lethbridge Hurricanes (Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-53), will once again bolster the team’s blue line.

Team WHL will feature a strong Saskatchewan flavour, including Regina product Carson Focht of the Calgary Hitmen (Vancouver Canucks, 5-133 – 2019), Estevan product Cole Fonstad of the Everett Silvertips (Montreal Canadiens, 5-128 – 2018), Yorkton products Kaedan Korczak of the Kelowna Rockets (Vegas Golden Knights, 2-41 – 2019) and Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020). Finally, a trio of hometown stars join Team WHL, including Saskatoon products Adam Beckman of the Spokane Chiefs (Minnesota Wild, 3-75 – 2019) and Connor Zary of the Kamloops Blazers (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020), along with Prince Albert product Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings (NHL Draft Eligible, 2020).

NHL Central Scouting identified both Schneider and Zary on its ‘Players to Watch’ list as top-ranked prospects for the 2020 NHL Draft.

Team WHL will face Team Russia in Game 5 of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series in Saskatoon on Wednesday, November 13, before continuing on to Prince Albert for Game 6 to conclude the series on Thursday, November 14. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will host Games 1 and 2, while the Ontario Hockey League will host Games 3 and 4. For the first time since 2013, the event will close with two games in the WHL.

Team WHL Roster:
Forwards

Player NameHometownDOBWHL ClubNHL Draft
Beckman, AdamSaskatoon, Sask.2001-05-10Spokane ChiefsMIN 2019 (3-75)
Burzan, LukaSurrey, B.C.2000-01-07Brandon Wheat KingsCOL 2019 (6-171)
Chyzowski, RyanKamloops, B.C.2000-05-14Medicine Hat TigersEligible 2020
Cozens, DylanWhitehorse, Yukon2001-02-09Lethbridge HurricanesBUF 2019 (1-7)
Dach, KirbyFort Saskatchewan, Alta.2001-01-21Saskatoon BladesCHI 2019 (1-3)
Focht, CarsonRegina, Sask.2000-02-04Calgary HitmenVAN 2019 (5-133)
Fonstad, ColeEstevan, Sask.2000-04-24Everett SilvertipsMTL 2018 (5-128)
Foote, NolanEngelwood, Colo.2000-11-29Kelowna RocketsTBL 2019 (1-27)
Hamaliuk, DillonLeduc, Alta.2000-10-30Kelowna RocketsSJS 2019 (2-55)
Krebs, PeytonOkotoks, Alta.2001-01-26Winnipeg ICEVGK 2019 (1-17)
Tracey, BraydenCalgary, Alta.2001-05-28Moose Jaw WarriorsANA 2019 (1-29)
Zary, ConnorSaskatoon, Sask.2001-09-25Kamloops BlazersEligible 2020

Defenceman

Player NameHometownDOBWHL ClubNHL Draft
Addison, CalenBrandon, Man.2000-04-11Lethbridge HurricanesPIT 2018 (2-53)
Byram, BowenCranbrook, B.C.2001-06-13Vancouver GiantsCOL 2019 (1-4)
Korczak, KaedanYorkton, Sask.2001-01-29Kelowna RocketsVGK 2019 (2-41)
Schneider, BradenPrince Albert, Sask.2001-09-20Brandon Wheat KingsEligible 2020
Smith, TyLloydminster, Alta.2000-03-24Spokane ChiefsNJD 2018 (1-17)
Woo, JettWinnipeg, Man.2000-07-27Calgary HitmenVAN 2018 (2-37)

Goaltenders

Player NameHometownDOBWHL ClubNHL Draft
Hofer, JoelWinnipeg, Man.2000-07-30Portland WinterhawksSTL 2018 (4-107)
Maier, NolanYorkton, Sask.2001-01-10Saskatoon BladesEligible 2020

The 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series will represent the event’s return to both Saskatoon and Prince Albert. In 2005 and 2014, the event made an appearance in Saskatoon, while Prince Albert played host in 2008.

The six-game CIBC Canada Russia Series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. Team CHL has won 12 times in event history, with Russia emerging victorious on four occasions.
2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule
Game 1 – Monday, November 4 at Saint John, N.B.
Game 2 – Tuesday, November 5 at Moncton, N.B.
Game 3 – Thursday, November 7 at Kitchener, Ont.
Game 4 – Monday, November 11 at London, Ont.
Game 5 – Wednesday, November 13 at Saskatoon, Sask. – TICKETS
Game 6 – Thursday, November 14 at Prince Albert, Sask. – TICKETS