Nick Poisson is not going to be available to the Prince George Spruce Kings for their final homestand of 2019.
The 18-year-old left winger is among 11 B.C. Hockey League players who made the cut to play for Canada West in the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, which starts Saturday in Dawson Creek.
Poisson, a native of Vancouver who has signed a scholarship commitment with Providence College for next season, has averaged nearly a point per game this season as the Kings' scoring leader, with 11 goals and 19 assists in 31 games.
This is his second season in the BCHL and he's already matched his season total of 30 points from last year, when he played all 58 regular season games and helped the Spruce Kings win the first Fred Page Cup and Doyle Cup championships.
Poisson will miss the Kings' next four games, all at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. They host the Chilliwack Chiefs Thursday and Friday, then will play the league-leading Coquitlam Express n a two-game set the following weekend.
Express forward Massimo Rizzo, who won a bronze medal at last year’s tournament, is the only returning BCHL player on Canada West. The roster also includes Trail Smoke Eaters forward Kent Johnson, the younger brother of former Spruce Kings Kyle Johnson, as well as forwards Owen Ozar (Trail), Brendan Budy (Langley Rivermen), Kyler Kovich (and Ethan Scardina (both Nanaimo Clippers). Trail defenceman Powell Connor and Chilliwack defenceman Xavier Henry also made the team.
Sixteen-year-old Spruce Kings centre Fin Williams attended the Canada West tryout camp in Calgary but did not make the cut. Williams just returned to the Kings' lineup for one game last week after missing six weeks with a leg injury.
“After months of preparation and identifying players, it was great to gather in Calgary for a highly-competitive camp and allow our players to compete for a spot on Team Canada West,” said Jamie McCaig, director of operations for Team Canada West and a former Prince George minor hockey goalie.
“We are excited to have our final roster selected, and our staff and players are excited for the opportunity to represent Canada and compete for a gold medal in Dawson Creek.”
Joe Martin (Alberni Valley Bulldogs) will serve as head coach for Canada West and Brian Maloney (Chilliwack) is the assistant coach.
Canada West will play against Canada East, Czech Republic, Russia and the United States and will open the tournament Saturday against the U.S. All games will be broadcast on the Hockey Canada website and on Hockey TV. TSN will televise the medal games on Sunday, Dec. 15.
