Two Manitobans and two additional members of Manitoba-based Western Hockey League teams have been selected to participate in the 2019 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup as a part of the Canadian National Under-18 team.
Of the three Manitobans invited to the selection camp in late July, Roblin’s Jakob Brook was the only player unsuccessful in earning a spot on the national team.
Brandon’s Daemon Hunt and Winnipeg’s Seth Jarvis will both travel overseas this week after participating in the U-18 Canadian selection camp. It ran from July 26th-30th at the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, AB. Amongst the 44 invitees, the three Manitobans were also joined by the Brandon Wheat Kings’ Ridly Greig and the ICE’s Connor McLennon, who both also cracked the national squad.
Daemon Hunt – Brandon, 2002-born, Defenceman, Moose Jaw Warriors
Seth Jarvis – Winnipeg, 2002-born, Forward, Portland Winterhawks
Ridly Greig – Lethbridge, AB, 2002-born, Forward, Brandon Wheat Kings
Connor McLennon – Wainright, AB, 2002-born Forward, Winnipeg ICE
The five-day camp served as an opportunity for 44 of Canada’s best male hockey players aged 18 or under to showcase their talent, and the top 22 players (two goaltenders, seven defencemen, 13 forwards) earned their place on the Canadian team playing at the 2019 Gretzky-Hlinka Cup in Czech Republic and Slovakia from August 5th-10th.
The Canadians will face off against Slovakia in a pre-tournament test on Saturday, before taking on Team Finland on Monday. Canada will also go to battle with both Switzerland and Czech Republic in the round robin, before potentially advancing to the bronze or gold medal games.
The 2019 Canadian U-18 team will be looking to defend its 2018 gold medal. Canada has earned a gold medal in 22 of its 28 appearances in the under-18 tournament.
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