Forwards Alex Newhook and Jamie Rome, and goaltender Zack Rose, of the Victoria Grizzlies are among the 28 players from the B.C. Hockey League invited to the Team Canada West selection camp Dec. 2-5 in Calgary for the 2017 World Junior A Challenge in mid-December in Truro, N.S.
A total of 60 players are invited to the Canada West tryout camp and 40 to the Team Canada East camp.
The Canada West invitees were selected from the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s five western Junior A leagues: The BCHL, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League.
The Canada East hopefuls are selected from among the CJHL’s five eastern Junior A leagues: The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League, Ligue de hockey junior du Québec and Maritime Hockey League.
Canada West opens the tournament against the Czech Republic on Dec. 11.
Rome, who is committed to Western Michigan of the NCAA for next fall, leads the Grizzlies in scoring with 23 points, while Newhook, who will head to Boston College of the NCAA in 2019, is next with 22. Rookie netminder Rose has nine wins this season and a goals-against average of 3.20
Other players invited from Island Division teams are goaltender Mitch Adamyk and Nanaimo-native and forward Carter Turnbull from the Powell River Kings and defenceman Max Crozier of the Nanaimo Clippers. Also invited is Brett Stapley from Campbell River, a forward with the Vernon Vipers.
The head coach of Canada West is Mike Reagan of the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL. Guest coaches include Victorians Chris Lewgood and Geoff Grimwood, from Estevan and Kindersley of the SJHL, respectively.
