Playing for Canada

Islanders Balmas, Guilbault join World Under-17 teams.

It was worth the wait for Mitchell Balmas.

The 16-year-old Charlottetown Islanders forward was initially left off the roster for Canada’s three teams at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He found out late last week he would be an injury replacement for Team White.

“I was kind of disappointed I didn’t get to go from the start, but I’m kind of happy I get to go now,” he said before Tuesday’s Islanders practice.

“It’s kind of special going to represent your country. . . It will be kind of fun to play against the USA and Russia.”

Balmas should know. He played as an underage player with Team Atlantic in last year’s tournament in his hometown of Sydney, N.S., recording two assists against the Czech Republic.

Canada is sending three national teams this year as opposed to the five regional teams, which have gone in the past.

Balmas’ Islanders teammate Samuel Guilbault will play for Team Red. Both were taken in June’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Draft and leave today for Sarnia and Lambton, Ont., where the tournament begins on Friday.

“I am pretty excited,” Guilbault said. “It’s a great opportunity for me.”

Both players know some of the guys on their new teams, which they said would help make the transition smoother. It is also a barometer of where they are compared to their peers.

“You see what all the other kids are doing and what you need to work on,” Balmas said.

Islanders coach Gordie Dwyer said both players have given the team good minutes early in their major junior careers.

Balmas has three goals and three assists in 16 games this season while Guilbault, a Varennes, Que., native, has five assists in 16 games.

Playing in international tournaments can only help them improve, Dwyer said.

“They’re huge for players development,” he said. “Those opportunities are pressure-packed situations and world-class tournaments.”

The tournament is seen as the first step to wearing the Maple Leaf at the under-18 and world junior tournaments.

Both play their first games on Sunday.

GUARDIAN PHOTO BY JASON MALLOY Rookie Charlottetown Islanders forwards Mitchell Balmas, left photo, and Samuel Guilbault leave today for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Ontario.