Powassan Voodoos goaltender Joe Vrbetic may be young but his play early this season has helped him earn a spot on one of the three Canadian U-17 squads which will compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge November 3 - 10 in New Brunswick.
Set to turn 16 in just over a week, the Dunvegan, Ont., product is the youngest everyday player in the NOJHL.
In his first seven starts in league play, Vrbetic boasts a 5-2 record along with a 2.83 goals-against average along with a .939 save percentage with the latter being the fourth-best mark among NOJHL netminders.
“I am very honoured to have been selected to represent Canada at the U-17 World Challenge in New Brunswick,” offered Vrbetic upon landing a roster spot.
“I am looking forward to playing with all the other players who have been selected and can’t wait to get things started,” continued Vrbetic, a 2018 second-round pick by the Battalion.
First-year Voodoos head coach Max Gavin is excited to see his young goalkeeper earn this chance to represent his country on the international stage.
“We are all very proud of Joe for being selected to Team Canada,” stated Gavin about the 6'4" goaltender.
“It is a special opportunity and we could not think of a more deserving kid and are extremely happy for him and his family. The Voodoos would also like to thank the North Bay Battalion (Stan Butler/Adam Dennis/Scott Wray) for allowing us to be a part of not only Joe’s but all the Battalion prospects development.”
Vrbetic is one of four Canadian Junior Hockey League players that were chosen among the group of 66.
The other three are defenceman Ryan Helliwell (Langley Rivermen, BCHL) along with forwards Josh Barnes (Cornwall Colts, CCHL) and Cole Sheppard (Penticton Vees, BCHL).
“The NOJHL would like to congratulate Joe Vrbetic on his well-deserved spot to participate in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge,” said league commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“His selection is yet another testament to the exposure the NOJHL continues to receive at multiple levels across the junior hockey ranks,” summarized Mazzuca.
Vrbetic along with the 65 other Team Canada selections will be divided into three teams - Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White. They will compete against international teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States in their quest for a gold medal.
Battalion prospects Cameron Peters and local defenceman Pacey Schlueting were invited to the Under-17 Team Canada Development camp in Calgary in the summer but neither of them was named to Team Canada.
