Jonas Brøndberg, Portland Winterhawks defenseman, has been selected to attend Denmark’s Selection Camp next week.
The camp determines the final roster Denmark will take to the 2020 World Junior Championship Division 1 Group A Tournament.
Brøndberg is one of the leading candidates to help patrol their blue line. He is expected to be joined by three fellow WHL, Danish-born players — Jonathan Brinkman, Mads Søgaard, and Phillip Schultz. Brinkman and Søgaard are currently playing with Medicine Hat, while Victoria has Schultz on their roster.
The 18-year-old is no stranger to representing his country. He’s been selected each year dating back to 2016 and was the captain for the U18 Team a season ago.
In an interview with winterhawks.com, Jonas mentioned what it means to him being able to play for his country. “It is a great honor always playing for your country and having the Danish lion on your chest. It doesn’t get better. All the guys on the team are best friends. It is the same group going up through the years. It is just special meeting all the boys again and putting the sweater over the pads, it is amazing.”
Brøndberg is expected to be out of the Portland lineup starting on Tuesday, December 3, against the Prince George Cougars.
With the tournament running from December 9 through December 15, and the holiday break starting after the Winterhawks game against Seattle that night, Brøndberg will not return until December 27 against Tri-City.
Nick Perna was traded on Thursday to Medicine Hat, so Portland will be down to six defensemen for seven games while Brøndberg is away.
Should another defenseman be required, Portland has 15-year-old Ryder Thompson available as an affiliate player call up. The Russell, Manitoba, native is currently playing for Rink Hockey Academy in the CSSHL.
Brøndberg continues to adapt well to the North American-style game. His four goals and five assists in 23 games played ranks him fourth in rookie defensemen scoring.
Portland also has two more players on their roster who may get the call to pull on a national team sweater.
Simon Knak (Switzerland) and Joel Hofer (Canada) should know early next week if they will get an opportunity to attend selection camp as well.
