Ever since the Detroit Red Wings sent Dennis Cholowski back to the Prince George Cougars, he has been a difference-maker for the city's Western Hockey League club. Teammates, opposing players and fans have all taken notice of his abilities.
So has the junior hockey world itself.
On Tuesday, Cholowski was named to Team WHL for the CIBC Canada Russia Series, a six-game series that starts Nov. 6 in Moose Jaw. Cholowski will skate for Team WHL that night and will also be with the WHL all-star squad for the second game of the series, Nov. 7 in Swift Current.
"I am excited to play alongside some of the best in the WHL and represent the Cougars on that stage," said Cholowski, a 19-year-old defenceman who stands six-foot-one and weighs 200 pounds. "It was one of my goals coming into this season to make that team."
Cholowski, a first-round selection of the Red Wings in the 2016 NHL draft, attended training camp with the Wings and played in three preseason games before he was assigned to the Cougars. At the NHL level, he picked up an assist in a 4-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In Cholowski's eight outings with the Cougars, he has been operating at better than a point-per-game pace (four goals, five assists). Two of his markers have come on the power play, which he has been quarterbacking.
Cougars general manager Todd Harkins used the word "terrific" to describe Cholowski's play thus far with the Cougars and is happy to see him land a roster spot on Team WHL for the Canada Russia Series.
"He's a very dynamic, talented defenceman and we're thrilled for him to get this opportunity to represent our organization, the WHL and Hockey Canada in such a prestigious event," Harkins said.
The other games in the Canada Russia Series will see the visitors face all-star teams from the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Dates are Nov. 9 in Owen Sound, Ont., Nov. 13 in Sudbury, Ont., Nov. 14 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Nov. 16 in Moncton, N.B. All WHL, OHL and QMJHL players chosen for the Canada Russia Series are considered prospects for Canada's world junior team.
The complete WHL roster is as follows: Forwards - Jaret Anderson-Dolan (Spokane Chiefs); Tyler Benson (Vancouver Giants); Dillon Dube (Kelowna Rockets); Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks); Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors); Tanner Kaspick (Brandon Wheat Kings); Ty Lewis (Brandon Wheat Kings); Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets); Matthew Phillips (Victoria Royals); Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans); Sam Steel (Regina Pats); Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos); Defencemen - Dennis Cholowski (Prince George Cougars); Jake Bean (Calgary Hitmen); Kale Clague (Brandon Wheat Kings); Cal Foote (Kelowna Rockets); Josh Mahura (Regina Pats); David Quenneville (Medicine Hat Tigers); Goaltenders - Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips); Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes).
Cholowski spent last season playing NCAA hockey with St. Cloud State but ended his college eligibility when he inked a three-year, entry-level contract with the Wings in April.
The Cougars had Cholowski's WHL rights. They chose him in the 10th round of the 2013 bantam draft.
Before he moved on to the NCAA, Cholowski skated for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the B.C. Hockey League for two seasons.
• Also Tuesday, Cougars rookie goaltender Taylor Gauthier was selected to play in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Nov. 5-11 in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. Canada will have three entries in the eight-team event. Other clubs hail from the United States, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden.
