City’s Hayton, Tippett invited to junior team tryouts
National selection camp scheduled for Dec. 11 to 14 in Victoria, British Columbia
Peterborough natives Barrett Hayton and Owen Tippett are among 34 players invited to try out for Canada’s entry in the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship starting Boxing Day in Vancouver.
Hayton – a fifth overall pick in 2018 by the Arizona Coyotes – has 15 goals and 18 assists in 20 games for the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Tippett – a 10th overall pick in 2017 by the Florida Panthers – has 19 goals and 14 assists in 22 games so far this year for the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads.
No Peterborough Petes were invited to the selection camp, but defenceman Cameron Crotty of Greely, Ontario is a Petes’ draft pick who opted to go to Boston College.
The invitees included three goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 19 forwards. Tryouts take place from Dec. 11 to 14 in Victoria, B.C.
The process of evaluating and selecting the players was led by Hockey Canada head scout Brad McEwen, in consultation with Steve Staios from the Program of Excellence management group, with input from coaches and general managers across the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), Hockey Canada officials stated Monday.
Among the 34 players are two returnees from the team that won World Juniors gold last year: Maxime Comtois (Longueuil, Que./Drummondville, QMJHL) and Alex Formenton (King City, Ont./London, OHL).
In addition, forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan (Calgary/Spokane, WHL) is dealing with an injury, but remains under consideration for a roster spot. His condition will continue to be monitored and a decision will be made prior to the start of the tournament, officials stated.
“Our evaluation process through summer camp, the CHL season, Canada-Russia Series and now selection camp allows us to assess and assemble the top Canadian players to represent our country,” stated Shawn Bullock, Hockey Canada’s director of men’s national teams. “Our final decisions will be difficult ones, but we couldn’t be more excited to gather in Victoria and begin the road to representing Canada in Vancouver.”
Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp will be held at the Q Centre, home of the Victoria Grizzlies of the B.C. Hockey League, and will feature a three-game series against a team of U SPORTS all-stars Dec. 12 to 14.
Following selection camp, the Canadian squad will be pared down to the final 22 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, as they look to win Canada’s 18th World Juniors gold medal.
Canada’s final preparations include games against Switzerland, Slovakia and Finland as part of the Lordco Road to the World Juniors pre-tournament schedule.
Nine B.C. communities will play host to 12 games, featuring all 10 competing teams, from Dec. 18 to 23 .