The Western Hockey League will be represented by 17 WHL players on the roster for Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team Summer Development Camp, scheduled for July 25 to August 4 at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary.
Hockey Canada announced the roster of 45 players Thursday morning.
WHL Players – National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Kieper | Matthew | Regina Pats | Winnipeg, Man. | 5’11” | 146 | G |
| Dowhaniuk | Keaton | Prince George Cougars | Sherwood Park, Alta. | 6’0” | 158 | D |
| Feist | Layton | Regina Pats | Dawson Creek, Alta. | 6’0” | 153 | D |
| Korchinski | Kevin | Seattle Thunderbirds | Saskatoon, Sask. | 6’1” | 168 | D |
| Lindgren | Mats | Kamloops Blazers | North Vancouver, B.C. | 5’11” | 165 | D |
| Mateychuk | Denton | Moose Jaw Warriors | Dominion City, Man. | 5’11” | 192 | D |
| McCutcheon | Logan | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’9” | 150 | D |
| Bedard | Connor | Regina Pats | North Vancouver, B.C. | 5’9” | 180 | F |
| Danielson | Nate | Brandon Wheat Kings | Red Deer, Alta. | 6’0” | 170 | F |
| Geekie | Conor | Winnipeg ICE | Strathclair, Man. | 6’4” | 205 | F |
| Gronick | Kyren | Prince George Cougars | Regina, Sask. | 5’9” | 178 | F |
| Gustafson | Jordan | Seattle Thunderbirds | Ardrossan, Alta. | 5’10” | 166 | F |
| Levis | Connor | Kamloops Blazers | Vancouver, B.C. | 6’2” | 192 | F |
| Lisowsky | Brandon | Saskatoon Blades | Port Coquitlam, B.C. | 5’8” | 177 | F |
| Savoie | Matthew | Winnipeg ICE | St. Albert, Alta. | 5’10” | 180 | F |
| Ward | Mathew | Swift Current Broncos | Kamloops, B.C. | 5’7” | 155 | F |
| Ziemmer | Koehn | Prince George Cougars | Mayerthorpe, Alta. | 5’10” | 209 | F |
Of the 45 players invited, two won a gold medal with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship in Frisco and Plano, Texas – Bedard and Mateychuk, both hailing from the WHL.
The Prince George Cougars and Regina Pats boast three players each, while the Kamloops Blazers, Seattle Thunderbirds, and Winnipeg ICE will be represented by two players each.
“This stage of our Summer Showcase is about bringing together the top under-18 players in Canada to work and learn from an elite-level coaching staff, giving them the necessary skills for their hockey development to grow and succeed,” said Alan Millar, Director of Player Personnel for Hockey Canada, and former General Manager of the Moose Jaw Warriors. “We have an opportunity to connect with the players through on- and off-ice sessions to give them the tools that will only enhance their skill set as they advance through our program and prepare for the upcoming season.”
Over the 11-day camp, the players will be split into two teams, Red and White, and participate in practices and intrasquad games. The camp will also feature combined practices and intrasquad games with Canada’s National Junior Team on August 2-3.
Coaching Staff Named for National Men’s Under-18 Team Summer Development Camp
The Western Hockey League will be represented by four coaches on the coaching and support staff that will work with the players throughout the camp, including Brent Kisio (Calgary, Alta. / Lethbridge Hurricanes), Dennis Williams (Stratford, Ont. / Everett Silvertips), Brad Lauer (Humboldt, Sask. / Edmonton Oil Kings), and Matt Weninger (Lethbridge, Alta. / Moose Jaw Warriors). Gord Cochran of the Regina Pats will also provide his services as Equipment Manager.
The Summer camp is typically used to evaluate and select Canada’s roster for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but Canada will not participate in this year’s event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
