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Two Cougars get world junior call |
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Written by JIM SWANSON, Citizen Sports Editor
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Wednesday, 03 December 2008 |
Tyrell, Viedensky invited to try out for their respective national junior teams
In what has been a week with dark clouds, two patches of blue sky emerged Wednesday for the beleaguered Prince George Cougars.
Captain Dana Tyrell and his linemate, import rookie Marek Viedensky, have been asked to the final tryout camps for their respective national junior teams. Tyrell, a 19-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., will head to Ottawa a week from today for his second crack at the final Team Canada camp, while Viedensky, an 18-year-old from Handlova, Slovakia, will attend his country’s selection camp in Kitchener, Ont., starting Dec. 16.
“It’s exciting news. We’re going to be short without them, but it’s good to have your guys go on and represent this organization and represent their countries,” said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson, who fired head coach and close friend Drew Schoneck on Monday, replacing him with assistant coach/assistant GM Wade Klippenstein.
“Hopefully they both do well and have the success they deserve. It’s been a rough week, but it’s way better to have players going to do things like this than not.”
The Cougars, languishing once again in last place in the B.C. Division, have won just four of their last 22 games heading into a weekend series at CN Centre against the Everett Silvertips (Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. starts). If Tyrell and Viedensky both make it, the Cougars will be without their top line for a significant amount of time -- rookie winger Brett Connolly, among the best 16-year-olds in the league, will play for Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Challenge, and that tournament starts after Christmas.
List player Tyler Kizuik, a 16-year-old defenceman from Indian Head, Sask., is on Team Western for that tournament.
Tyrell, the captain of the Cougars, was a final camp contender last year but a knee injury suffered right before the gathering hindered his chances. This is the last crack for Tyrell to wear a Canadian jersey at the prestigious world junior tournament, which takes place in Ottawa this year.
“It was a tough camp, and I think I know now how hard it will be and how hard I have to work,” said Tyrell, an energy forward who has suited up for Canada in past events, including the Canada-Russia series.
“I’ll give it everything I have. (The knee injury) bothered me quite a bit, but I can’t use it as an excuse. I’ll be healthy to make this team. It’s all about competition and I think the scouts and coaching staff likes how I compete, my skating and work ethic. They want to put me in that kind of role, being on the forecheck and finishing my checks.”
Tyrell leads the Cougars in scoring with 35 points, including 18 goals, in 27 games, while the slick-passing Viedensky, six-foot-three and 189 pounds, has four goals and 14 points in 22 games.
Viedensky, an undrafted winger, got a hint that he’d be invited when his parents received an email from Slovakian officials asking for his passport and contact information.
“They’re having a training camp in Slovakia, and after that they are going to Kitchener to finish the roster,” he said in English that is greatly-improved since he arrived in Prince George less than four months ago.
“This will be my first time with Slovakian national team, so I am very happy. (The Slovakian junior team) plays all year against Slovakian men’s teams and most players will be from that team.
“I am happy I have been able to play (in Prince George), because it is a better league with good players. My English is getting better and now I know what the coach is saying, I understand.”
Tyrell laughed about the prospect of facing his linemate, which would have to happen in playoffs since the two countries are in opposite pools. Canada opens the tournament on Boxing Day, 4:30 p.m. against the Czech Republic.
“I’d be excited but I won’t take it easy on him, that’s for sure,” he said.
“It’s great playing with Marek and I didn’t really know much about him before the season. He has developed really well and I’m happy for him.”
Team Canada Camp
OTTAWA -- Roster for the Canadian junior hockey team’s selection camp Dec. 11-15 in Ottawa, with hometown, team and league:
Goaltenders
Jake Allen, New Maryland, N.B., Montreal Junior (QMJHL); Chet Pickard, Winnipeg, Tri-City Americans (WHL); Tyson Sexsmith, Priddis, Alta., Vancouver Giants (WHL); Dustin Tokarski, Watson, Sask., Spokane Chiefs (WHL).
Defencemen
Keith Aulie, Rouleau, Sask., Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL); Tyler Cuma, Bowmanville, Ont., Ottawa 67’s (OHL); Ryan Ellis, Freelton, Ont., Windsor Spitfires (OHL); Cody Goloubef, Oakville, Ont., Wisconsin Badgers (WCHA); Travis Hamonic, St. Malo, Man., Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL); Thomas Hickey, Calgary, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL); Kevin Marshall, Boucherville, Que., Quebec Remparts (QMJHL); Tyler Myers, Calgary, Kelowna Rockets (WHL); Alex Pietrangelo, King City, Ont., Niagara Icedogs (OHL); Brendan Smith, Mimico, Ont., Wisconsin Badgers (WCHA); Jared Spurgeon, Edmonton, Spokane Chiefs (WHL); PK Subban, Toronto, Belleville Bulls (OHL); Colten Teubert, White Rock, Regina Pats (WHL); Patrick Wiercioch, Maple Ridge, Denver Pioneers (WCHA).
Forwards
Jamie Arniel, Kingston, Ont., Sarnia Sting (OHL); Jamie Benn, Victoria, Kelowna Rockets (WHL); Zach Boychuk, Airdrie, Alta., Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL); Matt Calvert, Brandon, Man., Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL); Patrice Cormier, Cap-Pele, N.B., Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL); Stefan Della Rovere, Maple, Ont., Barrie Colts (OHL); Chris DiDomenico, Woodbridge, Ont., Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL); Matt Duchene, Haliburton, Ont., Brampton Battalion (OHL); Jordan Eberle, Calgary, Regina Pats (WHL); Tyler Ennis, Edmonton, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL); Angelo Esposito, Montreal, Montreal Junior (QMJHL); Taylor Hall, Kingston, Ont., Windsor Spitfires (OHL); Cody Hodgson, Markham, Ont., Brampton Battalion (OHL); Nazem Kadri, London, Ont., London Knights (OHL); Evander Kane, Vancouver, Vancouver Giants (WHL); Riley Nash, Kamloops, Cornell Big Red (ECAC); Brayden Schenn, Saskatoon, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL); Brett Sonne, Maple Ridge, Calgary Hitmen (WHL); John Tavares, Oakville, Ont., Oshawa Generals (OHL); Dana Tyrell, Airdrie, Alta., Prince George Cougars (WHL).
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 December 2008 )
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