CANADA EAST ROSTER
Defense: Tyler Enns, Lakeshore, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Mike Crocock Pembroke, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Philippe Drouin, Pembroke, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Patrick McCarron, St. Michael's, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Jared Walsh St. Michael's, OJHL (2014 draft eligible); Christian Weidauer, Carleton Place, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Thomas Welsh Georgetown, OJHL (2013 draft eligible)
Forwards: Blaine Byron, Kemptville, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Matt Buckles, St. Michael's, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Shane Conacher, Burlington, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Ben Dalpe, Pembroke, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Justin Danforth, Cobourg, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Jake Evans, St. Michael's, OJHL (2014 draft eligible); Dalen Hedges, Nepean, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Stephen Hladin, Georgetown, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Troy Josephs, St. Michael's, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Michael Neville, St. Michael's, OJHL (2013 draft eligible); Brent Norris Nepean, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Marly Quince, Cornwall, CCHL (2013 draft eligible); Mike Soucier, Wellington, OJHL (2013 draft eligible)
Hockey Canada on Thursday announced the 22 players who will represent Canada East at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge to be held Nov. 5-11 at the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
The roster was named following a four-day selection camp, Oct. 28-31, at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto. Greg Walters, who coaches the Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, will coach the team.
Heading the roster is Matt Buckles, a center with the St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL). The 6-foot-1.25, 205-pound forward leads the team with 12 goals and 25 points in 18 games. He was most recently given a C rating from NHL Central Scouting in its preliminary rankings of players to watch for the 2013 NHL Draft.
Three other players on the roster earned C rankings from Central Scouting, including defenseman Christian Weidauer of Carleton Place Canadiens of the Central Canada Hockey League; and forwards Blaine Byron of Kemptville 73's (CCHL) and Troy Josephs of St. Michael's (OJHL).
Two players on the roster are returning from the 2011 WJAC -- forwards Justin Danforth of the Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) and Michael Neville of St. Michael's (OJHL).
"Getting down to 22 players was no easy feat, especially considering the talent we had in Toronto this week," Walters said. "As a coaching staff, we're confident we've assembled the best roster and we look forward to getting to Nova Scotia and getting started."
Canada East, which has appeared in four of the six gold medal games at the WJAC, won silver in 2006, '07, '10 and '11. The team will compete in Group B, along with Switzerland and the United States. Canada West, the Czech Republic and Russia will comprise Group A.
Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mike_morreale
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