Christmas break will bring a new sense of duty for Prince George Cougars forwards Jansen Harkins and Brad Morrison, and defenceman Tate Olson.
It will also turn them against each other.
Harkins and Morrison were picked to represent Team Pacific, while Olson has made the cut to play for Team West in the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Cape Breton, N.S., Dec. 29-Jan. 4.
Olson's name was added to the Team West list on Friday. The native of Saskatoon has two assists and a respectable minus-1 rating in 15 games with the Cougars in his first WHL season.
"It's a great feeling to be selected to Team West," said Olson. "It's a really good opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to the experience. It's great that the three of us get the chance to test ourselves against players our own age."
Harkins, the second-overall WHL bantam draft pick in 2012, has been regular for the Cougars at centre this season, playing in all 24 games so far, with three goals and six points to his credit.
"I'm just excited right now," said Harkins, a native of North Vancouver. "It's an honor to be able to represent your country in any way and I'm looking forward to it. Brad and I are good friends now, and hopefully we can add some chemistry to the team and do well at U-17's."
Morrison, the seventh-overall pick in 2012, has three goals (including two game winners) and four points in 19 games in his rookie WHL season. Morrison was born in Prince George and played most of his minor hockey in the city before moving to Kelowna.
"It's a really big honor to be named to Team Pacific," said Morrison. "Hopefully we can win, because it looks like we're going to have a strong team. I can't wait to get started."
Team Pacific includes the top 22 under-17 players from B.C., Alberta, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
Edmonton Oil Kings associate coach Steve Hamilton will serve as head coach of Team Pacific, while Don MacGillivray of the Winnipeg Blue of the Manitoba Junior League will be head coach of Team West. Team Pacific's head scout is Wade Klippenstein, a former Cougars head coach and assistant general manager.
Team Pacific will be part of Group A with Team West, Team Quebec, Sweden and Czech Republic while Team Ontario, Team Atlantic, Germany, USA, and Russia will make up Pool B.
