Canada’s top junior talent will be in Oakville, Ont., from Dec. 9-12 for Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp ahead of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.

 

Hockey Canada will continue its selection process at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville before travelling to the Czech Republic for the World Juniors. The camp will serve as another evaluation opportunity for team staff, led by head scout Brad McEwen (Whitewood, Sask.) and including Program of Excellence management group member Mark Hunter (Petrolia, Ont./London, OHL) and head coach Dale Hunter (Petrolia, Ont./London, OHL).

 

“Oakville Town Council is pleased to welcome Canada’s National Junior Team to Oakville as it prepares for the World Juniors,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “Sixteen Mile Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art arena that is perfect for holding high-profile events such as this. With seating for 1,500 spectators, we look forward to hosting hockey fans and hope they enjoy visiting our town.”

 

As part of the selection process, Canadian hopefuls will play two games against a U SPORTS all-star team, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. ET and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

Following the camp, the team will travel to Europe for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, looking to add to the 31 medals (17 gold, nine silver, five bronze) Canada has won at the tournament since 1977. Team Canada last took top spot in Buffalo in 2018.

 

“This is an extremely important step on our journey to a gold-medal performance in January,” said Shawn Bullock, director of men’s national teams. “It started with summer camp in August and continues through selection camp in Oakville, where we will have another opportunity to see what our athletes can bring to the team.”

 

Once a final roster is named, the quest for a gold medal begins in Ostrava on Boxing Day with a cross-border match-up against the United States at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.