The North Bay Battalion will not have a player on Team Canada's world junior team, but they will have a Battalion alum who will face them during some World Junior tune-up games next week.
Mathew Santos, who is currently playing for the Ryerson Rams, has been named to the U SPORTS Men's Hockey All-Stars.
The team comprised of high-end talent from U SPORTS teams from across Canada are set to compete at Canada’s National Junior Team Selection camp in Oakville, Ont., from Dec. 9-12.
This will mark the fifth straight year the U SPORTS All-Stars have faced off against Canada’s National Junior Team Prospects, who are vying for roster spots at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship being held in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic from Dec. 26, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020.
The 24-year-old who played four seasons for the Battalion has 10 goals along with 11 assists for 21 points in 17 games with the Ryerson Rams this season.
“This is an excellent opportunity for U SPORTS to show our continued support for Hockey Canada in helping them best prepare the Canadian World Junior Team for the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, Chief Sport Officer of U SPORTS.
“We are honoured to be invited annually to the Sport Chek Selection Camp, while simultaneously showcasing some of the best talent Canadian university hockey has to offer.”
Gardiner MacDougall, head coach of the UNB Reds, will serve as the team’s bench boss, after being an assistant coach with the 2018 U SPORTS All-Stars. MacDougall will be joined by 2016 U SPORTS All-Star head coach Brett Gibson, a former North Bay Centennials forward, of the Queen’s Gaels.
