Canada announces roster for 2011 Hlinka tournament
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Twenty players from the Canadian Hockey League, including 13 from the Ontario Hockey League, highlight Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team that will compete next week at the 2011 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament. Hockey Canada announced the 22-man roster Tuesday night.
The roster was finalized following Hockey Canada's four-day selection camp at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary. The roster includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.
Eleven of the 22 players will also play at the NHL's Research, Development and Orientation Camp in Toronto from Aug. 16-17.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It was a very competitive camp, and choosing these 22 players was by no means an easy task," said Steve Spott, head coach of the Canadian team as well as the OHL's Kitchener Rangers. "All of the players named today have earned their spot on the roster, and we look forward to getting to Europe and continuing Canada's great tradition at this event."
Canada has won the tournament in each of the past three summers and has won 15 of the 20 summer under-18 tournaments since 1991.
Canada will play a pre-tournament game against Slovakia on Friday in Piestany, Slovakia before opening the tournament against Sweden on Monday in Breclav, Czech Republic.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Canada is in Group A along with as Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. Group B, which begins play in Piestany, includes Finland, Russia, Slovakia and the United States. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals on Aug. 13. The gold medal game is scheduled for Aug. 14.