Young gun John Tavares and Ontario Hockey League leading scorer Sam Gagner are among the 38 players invited to try out for Canada's world junior championship squad.
Marc Staal, Angelo Esposito, Jonathan Toews and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League scoring leader Mathieu Perreault are some of the other notable names asked to participate in the selection camp, which opens Sunday in Calgary.
Mathieu Perreault of the Titan is among this year's 38 invitees.
(Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
"The quality and skill of the 38 players named today, is a testament of the hard work, commitment and development of all those involved in the Canadian minor hockey and junior hockey system," said Jim Hammett, the head scout for Hockey Canada in a release issued Monday.
"We are looking forward to a very competitive camp next week in Calgary."
The team is expected to be named on Dec. 15. The tournament begins Dec. 26 in Leksand, Sweden.
Canada could have as many as 11 players returning from the squad that won gold last year in Vancouver.
And with four forwards between 16 and 18, it could be a very young squad.
Tavares, who plays for the Oshawa Generals, will try to become the first 16-year-old to play for Canada in the tournament since Sidney Crosby.
Of the 38 players invited to the camp, 14 are from the OHL, 13 are from the Western Hockey League, eight are out of the QMJHL and three play at U.S. colleges.
Goaltenders
- Jonathan Bernier, Laval, Que., Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)
- Leland Irving, Swan Hills, Alta., Everett Silvertips (WHL)
- Steve Mason, Oakville, Ont., London Knights (OHL)
- Carey Price, Anahim Lake, B.C., Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Defencemen
- Karl Alzner, Burnaby, B.C., Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
- Luc Bourdon, Shippagan, N.B., Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
- Drew Doughty, London, Ont., Guelph Storm (OHL)
- Cody Franson, Sicamous, B.C., Vancouver Giants (WHL)
- Kristopher Letang, Ste-Julie, Que., Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
- Ryan Parent, Sioux Lookout, Ont., Guelph Storm (OHL)
- Kris Russell, Caroline, Alta., Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
- Marc Staal, Thunder Bay, Ont., Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
- Keaton Ellerby, Calgary, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
- Dustin Kohn, Edmonton, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
- Patrick McNeill, Strathroy, Ont., Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- Brendan Mikkelson, St. Albert, Alta., Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Forwards
- Cody Bass, Guelph, Ont., Mississauga IceDogs (OHL)
- Daniel Bertram, Calgary, Boston College (HE)
- Codey Burki, Winnipeg, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
- Marc-Andre Cliche, Rouyn-Noranda, Que., Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)
- Andrew Cogliano, Woodbridge, Ont., University of Michigan (CCHA)
- Steve Downie, Queensville, Ont., Peterborough Petes (OHL)
- Angelo Esposito, Montreal, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
- Sam Gagner, Oakville, Ont., London Knights (OHL)
- Claude Giroux, Ottawa, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
- Darren Helm, St. Andrews, Man., Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
- Bryan Little, Cambridge, Ont., Barrie Colts (OHL)
- Brad Marchand, Hammonds Plains, N.S., Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
- Ben Maxwell, North Vancouver, B.C., Kootenay Ice (WHL)
- Kenndal McArdle, Burnaby, B.C., Vancouver Giants (WHL)
- James Neal, Whitby, Ont., Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
- Ryan O'Marra, Mississauga, Ont., Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- Mathieu Perreault, Drummondville, Que., Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)
- Tom Pyatt, Thunder Bay, Ont., Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- Devin Setoguchi, Taber, Alta., Prince George Cougars (WHL)
- Chris Stewart, Toronto, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
- John Tavares, Oakville, Ont., Oshawa Generals (OHL)
- Jonathan Toews, Winnipeg, University of North Dakota (WCHA)
Head coach: Craig Hartsburg, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Assistant coaches: Curtis Hunt, Regina Pats; Clement Jodoin, Lewiston Maineiacs.
