A pair of Manitobans have been invited to try out for Team Canada ahead of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Winnipegger Nolan Patrick and Oakbank’s Brett Howden will attend next month’s selection camp in Quebec. Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Kale Clague will also try to crack the national junior team’s roster.
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Patrick is projected to be the top pick at the 2017 NHL Draft. The forward has missed most of the season due to an upper-body injury. He has four goals and five assists in six games with the Wheat Kings.
Howden has scored 11 goals and nine assists in 13 games as a Moose Jaw Warrior this season. He was selected 27th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Clague currently leads all Wheat Kings defencemen with four goals and 14 assists in 16 games. The Lloydminister, Alb., product was drafted 51st overall by the Los Angeles Kings this summer.
Of the 32 players invited to try out for Canada, five played for the national junior team last year. Following the four-day selection camp, 22 players will be chosen to represent the country at the 2017 World Juniors. The tournament runs Dec. 31, 2016 to Jan. 5, 2017 in Montreal and Toronto.
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