3 top Calgary Canucks invited to Junior A World Challenge selection camp
The Calgary Canucks will be shorthanded for their trip up north to Fort McMurray and Bonnyville this weekend.
That's because three of their top players have been invited to the west selection camp for the Junior A World Challenge.
Jack Plandowski, who leads the AJHL in scoring with 18 goals and 19 assists; linemate Nolan Dupont, who is third in league scoring with 10 goals and 19 assists; and Nathan Maloney, one of the league’s top defenceman, have made their way over to Winsport for the selection camp.
Plandowski says he's been working for this for a long time.
"It's super exciting," said the 19-year-old.
"It's been a goal of mine. I've been in the league for three years and just seeing teammates and people from around the league go to this tournament and try out, it's been a goal of mine for a while and I'm sure excited."
Camp is underway
Of course, the work has just begun for these three players.
Now, it's all about making the team.
Maloney says he's just going to keep doing what he's been doing.
"Honestly, I think the reason we've been invited is because the coaches have seen what we can do on the ice, so I'm not changing a thing," said the 18-year-old.
"That's what they like to see and that's why they selected us. Not veering away from what we do best and sticking to what makes me great and just keep doing that."
Thirty players have been invited to the selection camp for the west and 22 will make the squad that plays in the Junior A World Challenge.
Dupont was a late invite and says he plans to do whatever it takes to make the roster.
"Getting the chance to wear the maple leaf on my chest, I'm really proud of that opportunity," said the 18-year-old.
"Don't change my game that much, obviously, because he chose me for a reason, and just try to stick to my strengths."
Coach happy for the players
Having three Canucks get the invite is a big feather in the cap for the organization.
Head coach Brad Moran says the players deserve the invites.
"I think it's great," said Moran.
"It's great for us as an organization but for them as well. They've received some individual recognition and been seen around the league and Western Canada as elite players."
The selection camp runs until Friday at WinSport.
The tournament runs from Dec. 9 to 15 in Camrose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
2 Canadians confirmed dead in Poland, as consular officials gather information
Two Canadians have died following an incident in Poland, CTV News has learned.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls Donald Trump 'funny guy' in Fox News interview
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called U.S. president-elect Donald Trump a 'funny guy' on Wednesday in an interview with Fox News for his comment that Canada should become the United States's 51st state.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
Toddler fatally shot after his 7-year-old brother finds a gun in the family's truck
A two-year-old boy was fatally shot when his seven-year-old brother found a gun in the glovebox of the family's truck in Southern California, authorities said.
Millions in Cuba remain in dark after nationwide blackout
Cuba said it was generating only enough electricity to cover about 1/6th of peak demand late on Wednesday, hours after its national grid collapsed leaving millions without power.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Canada Post stores continue to operate during strike — but why?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'