31 of the best junior hockey players in Canada are currently in Oakville as Hockey Canada has begun its process of naming a Canadian squad that will represent the country at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships.
The list of players looking to make the team include Alexis Lafreniere who is the consensus pick to go number one overall in June’s NHL Entry Draft. He has 70 points in just 32 games this season with Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Bowen Byram is also at camp after he was chosen fourth overall in last year’s NHL Entry Draft. With the 17th overall pick, the Vegas Golden Knights selected Peyton Krebs.
Krebs, who is a member of the Winnipeg ICE, is now looking to don the red and white.
Peyton’s one of 17 forwards at the camp in Oakville.
“Yeah, it’s definitely an honour. Any time you can be a part of a group like this, it’s a very special moment,” said Krebs. “I’m going to work as hard as I can to make this team. I didn’t even know if I would be back in time. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m just going to try to be a 200-foot player and do anything I can to make a good impression,” continued Krebs. “It’s all about being consistent at both ends of the ice. That’s how I can be successful.”
This isn’t the first time Krebs has tried out for a Canadian national team. He’s captained Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last season where he had five points in five games. He also suited up for Team Canada Red at the U17 Championships in 2017-18 where he had six points in five games.
He’s succeeded in the past with national teams, and the expectation is to do it once again.
“If I play how I know I can play, I believe in myself and I’m confident in myself,” continued Krebs.
Canada opens up its tournament on December 26 against the United States. If Krebs is once again successful in making a national team, that will go down as a day he’ll never forget.
“It would be unbelievable. I have to earn my spot first and if I do, I will certainly be ready for that one,” said Krebs. “Everyone in Canada should be excited about that one.”
The selection camp runs through Thursday and it includes two games against a U Sports all-star team.
Prior to this camp, Peyton has been taking his game to the next level with the Winnipeg ICE. He started the season on the sidelines as he recovered from an injury sustained last season when he partially tore his Achilles tendon.
Krebs has now played eight games, and he already has 10 points. Two of those points are goals, including the game winner this past weekend against the Regina Pats.
“It’s definitely been a long haul, but I’m really glad to be back on the ice in game action,” said Krebs. “I have high expectations for myself and I know my teammates expect a lot from me as well. I’m working hard and having fun with it.”
It’s been a drastic change this season for Peyton and the entire organization. Playing their final season in Kootenay last year, the team won just 13 games. They finished the season with 36 points, the second-fewest in the Eastern Conference.
Winnipeg has only played 29 games this season and they already have four more wins than all of last season. Winnipeg’s 35 points have them in second in the East Division, and they’re now just seven points behind Prince Albert for the top spot.
“Our players are a lot stronger this year and we have more experience on our team,” said Krebs. “It’s nice to see the wins coming in and it’s been great to be a part of.”
“Winning on a daily basis is something we’re striving for and we believe we have that exact chance,” he continued.
Krebs won’t be on the ice with the team when they play their next game. They welcome the Kelowna Rockets to town on Wednesday evening. The ICE then begin a two-game Saskatchewan road trip this weekend. Friday’s game is in Prince Albert, which will be a heavyweight East Division tilt.
Winnipeg has won seven straight games at the Wayne Fleming Arena. Moving forward to 2020, the ICE play nine consecutive games at the Wayne Fleming Arena from January 4-26.
“We have the key tools to make special things happen. It’s exciting to be able to say I believe we can make a run,” concluded Krebs.
Stay tuned to find out how Krebs fared at Team Canada camp.
