Two young hockey players from the Halifax Mooseheads have been offered the chance to make a name for themselves on a national stage.

Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin are heading to Calgary Dec. 11 to tryout for Canada's World Junior Team.

'"I think they're going to go there and they're going to surprise a lot of people'—Cam Russell

"It's quite a feat. We're very excited, and we're thrilled for those two guys," said Cam Russell, the team's general manager.

MacKinnon, a Halifax native, plays centre. He's currently third on the list of top scorers in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 47 points so far this season.

Jonathan Drouin was born in Ste-Agathe, Que. The left winger is 11th in league scoring, with 42 points.

"We would love to have those kids here for the next 10 years if we can," said Russell. "But you know what, it's a development league as well, and this is great for them."

Big opportunity for young players

Both players are just 17–years–old. Russell said they may be young compared to the others trying out, but he is confident they have a chance.

"I think they're going to go there and they're going to surprise a lot of people," he said. "These are two kids that – even though they're 17–years–old – they play like they're 19 and 20. I think they're going to have an excellent chance."

MacKinnon and Drouin will face off against 35 other players who have been invited to the camp. If they make the cut, they'll be heading to the tournament in Russia later this month.

It's been more than a decade since a Mooseheads player made the National Junior team. Brandon Reid played in 2000.

If both MacKinnon and Drouin make it, it will be the first time the Mooseheads will fill two spots.