Judgement day approaches for Lions hopefuls
Host nation of 2022 Olympics is looking for North American players of Chinese descent
Tyler Ho’s preparation for the next Vancouver Giants season is starting early — and is quite unique.
The 16-year-old from Surrey is attending a camp at Burnaby 8-Rinks this weekend put on by the Chinese national hockey federation.
A family member read about the three-day session in the Chinese media. Ho applied and was awarded a spot.
China wants to be more of a factor on the world hockey scene with the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games approaching and is on the hunt for players in North America of Chinese descent. There was a similar camp in Toronto this week.
Ho didn’t have particulars on this coming camp, outside of ice times. The Toronto event also featured a female camp, where a Globe and Mail report had girls as young as eight taking part.
“I don’t normally get nervous for tryouts and I’m not going to with something like this, either,” Ho said. “I’m going to go in with the mindset of working hard, trying my best and having some fun.”
Giants general manager Glen Hanlon is excited for Ho.
“The experience, every time you get a chance to compete and see something different, is important,” Hanlon said. “I just think it fuels your drive.”
The Giants will open training camp in late August, and Ho will be in the mix for an opening-night roster spot in his second season of full-time WHL eligibility.
A right-handed shot listed at six feet and 185 pounds, Ho played seven games as a call-up with Vancouver after the Giants acquired his rights from the Prince George Cougars at the Jan. 10 trade deadline in the Radovan Bondra swap. Ho had no goals, one assist and a minus-three rating in those games.