If all goes according to plan, fans of the Moose Jaw Warriors will have no shortage of players to cheer for in international hockey events over the coming months.
Four players from the Western Hockey League squad were named to the Hlinka Gretzky Under-18 selection camp and National Junior Team summer camp on Thursday, taking the latest step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.
Forward Brayden Yager and goaltender Jackson Unger will take the ice in Red Deer for the Hlinka Gretzky camp July 20-23, while Jagger Firkus and Denton Mateychuk will begin their quest to crack Canada’s roster for the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship July 23-27 in Calgary.
“We are excited to bring together a group of 44 athletes with a solid foundation of junior and international experience for selection camp,” said Alan Miller, Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel. “As our players are preparing to compete in short-term competition, we know all 44 players will come to camp ready to compete for a spot on the team and the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in international competition.”
Yager, who was named the WHL Rookie of the Year earlier this month, is coming off a season where he scored 34 goals and 59 points in 63 games.
Unger had a 8-7-0-0 record through the 2022-23 campaign, posting a 3.60 goals against average and .891 save percentage in 18 games.
The event marks the second Hockey Canada assignment for the duo, after both suited up in the Capital City Challenge this past November.
The 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be held in Red Deer from July 31 to Aug. 6.
It’ll come as no surprise to hear Firkus and Mateychuk named to the National Junior Team selection camp, especially given the fact both are expected to be first-round NHL Draft picks in a couple weeks' time.
The duo are among 44 players that will take part in the summer camp, the first step to cracking Canada’s roster for the World Juniors beginning in December.
“This is an exciting first step as we begin preparations for the upcoming season and the opportunity to compete at the 2023 World Juniors on home ice in Halifax and Moncton this December,” Millar added. “We are excited about this group of players, and we look forward to returning to the ice for a highly-competitive camp to kick off a new season.”
Mateychuk, -- ranked 14th overall by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters for the upcoming draft -- scored 13 goals and 64 points in 65 games last season. The Dominion City, Man. product has been on Hockey Canada’s radar for quite some time, having played for Canada at the Youth Olympic Games in 2020 before winning gold with Canada at the World U18 Hockey Championship in 2021.
Firkus enjoyed a breakout season with the Warriors in 2021-22, putting up 36 goals and 80 points in 66 games before tacking on another six goals and 12 points in the playoffs. The Irma, Alta. product is ranked 12th by NHL Central Scouting for the coming Draft and, surprisingly, a World Junior selection will mark his first time wearing the Maple Leaf.
The 2023 World Junior Championship will be held in Halifax and Moncton from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
