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
DEVELOPING Gunman's steps after killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO gives police new clues in hunt for the killer
As the hunt for a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of the largest U.S. health insurer moved into its third day Friday, surveillance footage provided more clues about the suspect's travels and the places he visited before the shooting.
Purolator, UPS pause shipments from couriers amid Canada Post strike
Purolator and UPS have paused shipments from some courier companies as they try to work through a deluge of deliveries brought on by the Canada Post strike.
NDP's Singh forces debate on $250 cheques for more Canadians; Conservatives cut it short
With the fate of the federal government's promised $250 cheques for 18.7 million workers hanging in the balance, the NDP forced a debate Friday on a motion pushing for the prime minister to expand eligibility. The conversation was cut short, though, by Conservative MPs' interventions.
Sask. father who kept daughter from mom to prevent COVID-19 vaccine free from additional prison time
Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan father who withheld his then seven-year-old daughter from her mom for nearly 100 days to prevent the girl from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, was handed a 12-month prison sentence and 200 days probation on Friday, but credited with time served.
Ticketmaster hidden fees settlement credits expected in 2025 following class-action lawsuit by Regina lawyer
A longstanding lawsuit against Ticketmaster is nearing its end, with a judge expected to approve the more than $6 million dollar settlement before the end of the year.
What is still being delivered? What to know about the Canada Post strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses
New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease.
Which guns are now banned in Canada? Here's what you need to know
Canada is expanding its federal ban on firearms, adding 324 makes and models of guns to the prohibited weapons list, effective immediately.
Canada's 6.8% jobless rate boosts bets for 50-point interest rate cut
Canada had 1.5 million unemployed people in November, propelling its jobless rate to a near-eight-year high outside of the pandemic era and boosting chances of a large interest rate cut on Dec. 11.