Team WHL Leadership for 2017 CIBC Canada/Russia Series

The Western Hockey League, in collaboration with the Canadian Hockey League, announced that forward Dillon Dube of the Kelowna Rockets will serve as captain for Team WHL in the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series, which begins November 6th in Moose Jaw. Warriors forward Brett Howden will serve as an alternate captain for Team WHL, as well as Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Kale Clague and Calgary Hitmen defenceman Jake Bean. Howden was taken in the first round (27th) of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and is in his second season as captain for the Warriors. The WHL veteran has posted 12 points (4G-8A) in 10 games to start the 2017-18 WHL season. After being named to Team WHL for the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series, Howden was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The six-game series features regional league teams of Canadian National Junior Team candidates competing against the Russian National Junior Team. For the fourth straight season, the event will open with two games in the WHL.

Team WHL will face Team Russia in Game 1 of the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series in Moose Jaw, Sask., on Monday, November 6, before continuing on to Swift Current, Sask., for Game 2 on Tuesday, November 7. The Ontario Hockey League will host Games 3 and 4, while the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will welcome the festivities surrounding Games 5 and 6.

Each of the three CHL member Leagues assembled a selection committee, working closely with Hockey Canada, to select the players for this year’s series. This year, Team WHL will be coached by Tim Hunter (Moose Jaw Warriors), who will also serve as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Regina Pats general manager and head coach John Paddock and Swift Current Broncos director of player personnel and head coach Manny Viveiros will serve as assistant coaches for Team WHL. All games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.