Spruce Kings forwards make Canada West roster

The Prince George Spruce Kings will be missing two of their best players for the rest of their preChristmas schedule.

The absences, however, are good news because forwards Ethan de Jong and Kyle Johnson have made Team Canada West for the upcoming World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Truro, N.S. De Jong and Johnson were in Calgary for a tryout camp and learned on Tuesday they had landed spots on the roster.

“We are extremely proud of Kyle and Ethan on making Team Canada West,” said Spruce Kings head coach Adam Maglio. “They are both very dedicated athletes and well deserving of this recognition. We know both Ethan and Kyle will represent the Spruce Kings well at the World Junior A Challenge.”

So far this B.C. Hockey League season, de Jong leads the Spruce Kings with 12 goals and 38 points in 30 games. Johnson is fifth on the team list with 13 goals and 24 points in 30 outings.

The tournament is a Hockey Canada event and will also feature a Canada East club, the Czech Republic, the United States, Switzerland and Russia. Dates are Dec. 10-16.

Both de Jong and Johnson attended last year’s tryout camp and Johnson made the team.

The Spruce Kings, second in the BCHL’s Mainland Division with a 16-10-2-3 record, host Alberni Valley on Friday and Wenatchee on Saturday. Other games before Christmas are road contests against Co- quitlam, Victoria and Cowichan Valley, Dec. 15-17.

Canada West will play Russia in an exhibition game on Friday and will open the tournament on Sunday against the Czech Republic. Canada West also faces the United States on Dec. 12 to close out round-robin play.

Quarterfinal action goes Dec. 13, with semifinals set for Dec. 14 and the championship game on Dec. 16.