TEAM CANADA EAST MINI CAMP
AUGUST 22 - The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) in conjunction with the management staff of Team Canada East, hosted an extremely successful player identification camp for the 2009 World Junior "A" Challenge (WJAC).
Scheduled for Summerside PEI from November 1 till the 8. This year's international event will feature teams from Russia, Sweden, USA, Belarus and two Canadian teams (East and West).
Canada East will compete in a division that will include Belarus and the 2008 Gold medal winners the USA. Canada West will compete against team Russia and team Sweden.
In three previous competitions Canada West has won two gold medals and one silver, while Canada East has come away with two silver medals and one bronze.
On hand for the identification camp was Team Canada East General Manager Marty Abrams (Wellington Dukes, Head Coach) Todd Gill (Brockville Braves CJHL) and Assistant Coach James Richmond (Georgetown Raiders). Assisting at the camp in a coaching capacity were:
Mark Jooris (Burlington Cougars) and Joe Quinn (Aurora Tigers) - Team White
Matt Muir (Trenton Hercs) and Robert Turnbull (Hamilton Red Wings) - Team Black
Michael Lende (Upper Canada Hockey Club) and Louis Gialedakis (Dixie Beehives) - Team Red
The Georgetown Raiders training staff assisted Head Trainer Andrew Groombridge with on site medical and equipment requirements. They ensured that all the players were properly cared for and attended to.
The Camp certainly served its purpose as scouts from the NHL and 16 NCAA schools filled the stands and attended all three games.
In spite of the early time scheduled for the camp, all players appeared fully prepared for the full day of competition. A high tempo, quick transition two-way game created feisty competition throughout the day.
Offensively, Team Blacks David Morley and Michael Hawkrigg led the way with two goals and one assists in two games. Brock Higgs from Team red netted one goal and two assists.
There were 22 goals scored in all, with so much offense the goaltenders found it tough to be sharp throughout the day.
Rosters for the Camp can be reviewed at www.ohahockey.org. For more information on the 2009 WJAC please go to www.hockeycanada.ca.
