Chase Witala will square off against a trio of his Prince George Cougars' teammates Dec. 29.
"There's definitely going to be some bragging rights on the line," said Witala. "It'll be a lot of fun."
Witala heads to Windsor, Ont., after Christmas to play for Team Pacific at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4. Team Pacific faces Team West on Dec. 29.
Cougars' rookies Alex Forsberg, Jordan Tkatch and Jarrett Fontaine will suit up for Team West.
"I don't think we're ever going to be rivals; we're pretty good buddies," said Forsberg, leading scorer for the Cougers with 11 goals and 26 points. "We might compete hard against each other."
For Witala, it's his first chance to play in a Hockey Canada event.
"It feels great to know you've been chosen to be one of the top players in B.C. and Alberta for your age," said Witala.
The 16-year-old had a slow start to his first foray into the Western Hockey League, suffering a concussion and missing a few early games, but after notching three points in a win over the Portland Winterhawks a couple weeks ago Witala seems to have found his groove.
"You gain a lot more confidence and start to realize you have a lot more time," said Witala. "It gets much easier."
Cougars' coach Dean Clark said it's nice to see Witala's hard work paying off.
"He's really starting to develop and he's handling the puck well," said Clark.
Witala has two goals and nine points in 28 games with the Cougars this season and he may have the upper hand on his Cougars' teammates at the World Challenge. Team Pacific secured the bronze medal at last year's event in Winnipeg, with Cougars' forward Troy Bourke, and has collected five silver medals and five bronze medals since the tournament began in 1986 as the Quebec Cup.
Team West has only finished in the medals three times, but has twice won gold - 1998 and 2005 - while picking up bronze in London, Ont.
Cougars' captain Jesse Forsberg played for Team West two years ago when the tournament was held in Port Alberni.
"I remember when I got to go it was pretty special," said the 18 year old. "I think it's going to be good for them to go there and play against [players] their age and be the go-to guys on their team. We wish them the best, but we're going to be missing them up here."
The Cougars will play three games without the four 16 year olds - at home to the Calgary Hitmen on Dec. 28, and on the road in Vancouver and Kamloops.
The last time both Team West and Team Pacific won a medal at the U17s was in 2005 when Team West edged Team Pacific for gold in Lethbridge. Alta.
"Team Pacific is an elite team, they always do well," said Jesse Forsberg, who wore a letter during his year at the tournament. "Team West is usually an underdog and that's what really fires them up. I expect big things out of both of them."
