Carson Carels’ star is rising.
The 17-year Prince George Cougars defenceman is among 40 players named to Hockey Canada’s under-18 team selection camp July 29–August 1 in Oakville, Ont.
Carels, a native of Cypress River, Man., is vying for a spot on the team that will represent Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Aug. 11-15 in Brno, Czechia and Trenchin, Slovakia
Carels is one six players invited to the camp who helped Canada win gold at the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Texas.
He was one of the WHL top rookies last season, finishing sixth among rookies in scoring with 35 points, including six goals, in 60 games and ended up with a plus-22 ranking. Carels also had a goal and three assists in seven playoff games.
“Our under-18 selection camp provides us with an opportunity to evaluate players and select a roster that we believe will give us the best chance to defend our gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup,” said Alan Millar, general manager of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.
Carels also won a silver medal playing for Canada Red at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last November in Sarnia, Ont.
The Canadians will be split into two squads for the camp and they will play each other July 31 and Aug. 1.
Once the team has been picked they will head to Székesfehérvár, Hungary, for practices Aug 3–6, and pre-tournament games against Hungary’s U20 team (Aug. 7 in Budapest) and Slovakia (Aug. 9 in Piešťany).
