Leason works his way on to world junior radar

TORONTO Brett Leason has never had much attention from Hockey Canada in his three years of major junior.

The 19-year-old forward wasn’t a member of Canada’s program at the under-17 or U18 levels, and he wasn’t invited to the Summer Showcase this past August, where the top Canadian players come together for their first real audition for the annual world junior squad.

He forced Hockey Canada to take notice, though, with his start to the 2018-19 season with his Prince Albert Raiders. And after a strong showing at the recent Canada-Russia Series, he’s now been rewarded with an invite to selection camp along with 33 other players ahead of the 2019 world junior championship that begins on Boxing Day.

“Feels really good, always been a dream to play for the country so I’m glad I have a chance to fight for that. I did not think it was realistic,” said the six-foot-four, 199-pound Leason.

All it took from the Calgary native to get some recognition was a league-best 27 goals and 60 points on his current 27-game point streak to lead the Western Hockey League in both categories.

“I think he was a real standout in the Russia series, really impressed with his ability to work the puck on the boards, get the puck into his teammates hands, and also his skating,” said Canada head coach Tim Hunter. “I watched him play last year and his skating has really improved in the summer and this season and it’s a big reason he’s a leading scorer in the CHL.”

The majority of Hockey Canada’s selections for camp come from the Canadian Hockey League, with 29 of the 34 named to camp currently playing in either the WHL, Ontario Hockey League or Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Defencemen Ian Mitchell (Denver), Jacob Bernard-Docker (North Dakota) and Cameron Crotty (Boston University) and forward Shane Bowers (Boston University) are the lone Canadians playing outside the CHL to make the cut.

Selection camp will take place from Dec. 10 to Dec. 14 in Victoria and will be followed by three exhibition games against a group of U Sports allstars.

The Canadian team hits the ice on Dec. 26 for its world junior opener against Denmark in Vancouver.