Hockey Canada announced today the 111 players invited to the U-17 development camp. 29 of those 111 players were drafted by WHL teams and 25 of those have signed WHL standard player agreements.
Prince Albert, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Portland, Lethbridge, Kamloops and Kelowna all had two prospects invited, while the Vancouver Giants and Brandon Wheat Kings lead the way with three. One of those for Vancouver, Joel Sexsmith was acquired from the Swift Current Broncos in a trade deadline deal.
These 111 invitees will attend the camp in Calgary from July 21st-27th. From there the players will be scouted throughout the year until the list of 111 is knocked down to 66 players who will play on Canada White, Red or Black teams at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge November 3rd-10th in Saint John and Quispamis, New Brunswick.
Goalies | Team | Signed? |
Garin Bjorklund | Medicine Hat | Yes |
Sebastian Cossa | Edmonton | Yes |
Dylan Garand | Kamloops | Yes |
Bryan Thomson | Lethbridge | Yes |
Defense | Team | Signed? |
Tom Cadieux | Tri-City | Yes |
Aidan De La Gorgendiere | Saskatoon | Yes |
Kaiden Guhle | Prince Albert | Yes |
Ryan Helliwell | Portland | No |
Daemon Hunt | Moose Jaw | Yes |
Vincent Iorio | Brandon | Yes |
Anthony Kehrer | Brandon | No |
Ronan Seeley | Everett | Yes |
Joel Sexsmith | Vancouver | Yes |
-Kehrer is listed as born in the U.S. He has already committed to the University of Wisconsin.
-Ryan Helliwell has committed to the University of Notre Dame.
Forwards | Team | Signed? |
Ethan Bowen | Kelowna | No |
Noah Boyko | Lethbridge | Yes |
Kyle Crnkovic | Saskatoon | Yes |
Ethan Ernst | Kelowna | Yes |
Jack Finley | Spokane | Yes |
Ridly Greig | Brandon | Yes |
Seth Jarvis | Portland | Yes |
Ben King | Swift Current | Yes |
Connor McClennon | Kootenay | Yes |
Payton Mount | Seattle | Yes |
Jake Neighbours | Edmonton | Yes |
Josh Pillar | Kamloops | Yes |
Luke Prokop | Calgary | Yes |
Cole Shepard | Vancouver | No |
Justin Sourdif | Vancouver | Yes |
Ozzy Wiesblatt | Prince Albert | Yes |
-Ethan Bowen has committed to the University of North Dakota.
-Cole Shepard has committed to play for Harvard.
-Ethan Ernst was the latest Bantam pick invited to the camp. He was taken 61st overall by Kelowna in 2017.
2017 WHL first round picks that were not invited.
-Kaden Kohle – Tri-City
-Cohner Saleski – Prince Albert
-Tyson Phare – Prince George
-Ethan Rowland – Red Deer.