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
Russian state news agencies say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is in Moscow and given asylum
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Trump calls for immediate cease-fire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.
‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and US$600 million globally
The Walt Disney Co.'s animated film 'Moana 2' remained at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theatres as it brought in another record haul.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.
A man, a bike and a gun: Police search for evidence to solve the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on the streets of New York
As the investigation into the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan enters its fifth day, New York City police are missing key pieces of evidence.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly focused on re-election, doesn’t explicitly rule out future Liberal leadership bid
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insisted she supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is focused on her own re-election, but wouldn't explicitly rule out a future Liberal leadership bid, in an interview on CTV's Question Period airing Sunday.
Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise U.S. prices and promises swift immigration action
Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned.
Updated advisory urges Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria, leave if possible
Ottawa is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it's safe to do so.