A total of 13 Western Hockey League players have been invited to participate in Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp ahead of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Six forwards, five defencemen and two goaltenders from the WHL will attend the camp, slated to begin December 9 in Moncton, N.B.

Hockey Canada announced the camp rosters Monday afternoon.

WHL Players – National Men’s Junior Team Summer Camp

Last NameFirst NameTeamHometownHeightWeightPosition
BrennanTylerPrince George CougarsWinnipeg, Man.6’3”190G
MilicThomasSeattle ThunderbirdsCoquitlam, B.C.6’1”175G
AllanNolanSeattle ThunderbirdsDavidson, Sask.6’3”193D
KorchinskiKevinSeattle ThunderbirdsSaskatoon, Sask.6’3”155D
LambosCarsonWinnipeg ICEWinnipeg, Man.6’1”192D
SamsonEthanPrince George CougarsNorth Delta, B.C.6’3”183D
ZellwegerOlenEverett SilvertipsFort Saskatchewan, Alta.5’10”182D
BankierCaedanKamloops BlazersSurrey, B.C.6’2”190F
BedardConnorRegina PatsNorth Vancouver, B.C.5’10”185F
DachColtonKelowna RocketsFort Saskatchewan, Alta.6’4”205F
OstapchukZackVancouver GiantsSt. Albert, Alta.6’3”198F
SchaeferReidSeattle ThunderbirdsSpruce Grove, Alta.6’4”219F
StankovenLoganKamloops BlazersKamloops, B.C.5’8”170F
“We are excited to unveil the 29 players who will begin our journey at selection camp in Moncton as we look ahead to the 2023 World Juniors,” said National Junior Team Director of Player Personnel Alan Millar. “This is an experienced and skilled group, and we expect a competitive selection camp that will lead to difficult decisions when naming a final roster. We are excited about the players who have earned invites to camp, and we look forward to assembling a roster that will wear the Maple Leaf with pride this holiday season.”

Eight WHL Clubs will send at least one player to the National Junior Team Selection Camp. The Seattle Thunderbirds will be represented by four players, while the Kamloops Blazers and Prince George Cougars boast two invitees. The Everett Silvertips, Kelowna Rockets, Regina Pats, Vancouver Giants and Winnipeg ICE will each send one invitee to the Selection Camp.

Bedard, Lambos, Ostapchuk, Stankoven and Zellweger were all part of the Canadian team that captured a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alta. this past August.

In addition to the 13 WHL players attending the Selection Camp, the coaching and support staff for Canada’s entry at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship is accented by four WHL personnel.

Everett Silvertips head coach and general manager Dennis Williams will serve as Canada’s head coach, while Lethbridge Hurricanes bench boss Brent Kisio has been named an assistant coach.

Prince Albert Raiders goaltending coach Kelly Guard will act as goaltending consultant while Regina Pats equipment manager Gord Cochran will serve in a similar role at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Halifax, N.S. and Moncton, N.B. from December 26, 2022 through January 5, 2023.

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