Eight WHLers named to World Jr.

r Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Wednesday that 22 players that will make up Canada’s National Junior Team for the upcoming 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan, from December 26, 2009 to January 5, 2010.
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r Eight of the 22 players announced to the roster are from the Western Hockey League, including 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medalists Jordan Eberle and Colten Teubert, both members of the Regina Pats.  Also named to the roster is Brandon Wheat Kings forward Brayden Schenn, Calgary Hitmen’s Martin Jones and Brandon Kozun, Kelowna Rockets forward Brandon McMillan, Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Travis Hamonic and Spokane Chiefs captain Jared Cowen.  Over the past five World Junior Championship tournaments, 49 WHL players have helped Team Canada capture five consecutive Gold medals.  Over the past 10 years, WHL players have made up over 40% of Team Canada’s National Junior roster, and close to 60% of Team Canada’s defenceman corp.
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r Canada’s roster includes six players (Cormier, Della Rovere, Eberle, Ellis, Pietrangelo, Teubert) who won gold medals at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.
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r Twenty of the players have previous international experience, including 15 players who played with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team and 15 who played with Canadian regional under-17 teams at either the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge or Canada Winter Games.
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r Twenty of the players named to Canada’s final roster were drafted in either the 2008 or 2009 NHL Entry Draft, including ten first-round selections and five second-round picks.
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r Canada will play its first game of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 versus Latvia, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).
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r Canada has medaled at eleven straight IIHF World Junior Championships including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.
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r For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, go to www.hockeycanada.ca/2010juniors.
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