.jpg)
OHL IMAGES
North Bay Battalion rookie forward Brett McKenzie will be heading to the East Coast for the holidays to represent Ontario at the 2014 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.
The Ontario team will play international competition along with 4 other regional Canadian teams at the event that takes place between December 29th and January 4th in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
McKenzie, was the Battalion's first pick, 10th overall in the OHL Priority Selection last April.
The 6'1" 199 pound forward has registered 4 goals and 4 assists totaling 8 points in 24 games this season with the Battalion.
Team Ontario Director of Operations Barclay Branch is impressed with the players that have been selected.
"Every player going through the Under-17 evaluation process is committed to excellence, which makes it difficult when making decisions on who will ultimately make the team. There is always disappointement for those players who are not selected, however, we as a staff believe that we have put together a groupl of athletes who will represent Ontario with honour and class both on and off the ice and are capable of winning the Gold Medal at this year's World Hockey Challenge."
McKenzie has 3 teammates who have represented Team Ontario at the event in the past.
Forward Brandon Robinson won bronze in Windsor back in 2012, Marcus McIvor captured gold in Winnipeg in 2011 and captain Barclay Goodrow won silver with Team Ontario in 2010, when the event was held in Timmins.
Team Ontario will be coached by Oshawa Generals assistant coach Roger Hunt.
OHL players on Team Ontario for 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge:
Goaltenders:
Troy Timpano (Sudbury Wolves)
Defencemen:
Garrett McFadden (Guelph Storm)
Kyle Capobianco (Sudbury Wolves)
Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads)
Justin Lemcke (Belleville Bulls)
Matthew Spencer (Peterborough Petes)
Mitchell Vande Sompel (Oshawa Generals)
Forwards:
Mitchell Marner (London Knights)
Jesse Barwell (Mississauga Steelheads)
Sam Harding (Oshawa Generals)
Brett McKenzie (North Bay Battalion)
Graham Knott (Niagara IceDogs)
Matthew Kreis (Barrie Colts)
Dylan Strome (Erie Otters)
Travis Konecny (Ottwa 67’s)
Blake Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Adam Laishram (Belleville Bulls)
Hayden McCool (Niagara IceDogs)
Lawson Crouse (Kingston Frontenacs)
Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit)
Also listed on the roster is goaltender Benjamin Blacker (Milton IceHawks) who was selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the seventh round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection, and Jacob Chychrun (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) who is eligible for the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.
Team Personnel:
Director of Operations - Barclay Branch (Belleville Bulls)
Head Coach – Roger Hunt (Oshawa Generals)
Assistant Coach – Drew Bannister (Owen Sound Attack)
Assistant Coach – Seamus Kotyk
Athletic Therapist – Rich Rotenberg (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Equipment Manager – Michael Boyes (Oshawa Generals)
