Canada names 22-player roster for Hlinka Cup

CALGARY -- Michael McLeod, a potential first-round pick at the 2016 NHL Draft, was among 22 players picked to represent Canada at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.

The U-18 tournament will be played in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Breclav, Czech Republic, from Aug. 10-15. Canada has won the tournament the past seven years and 19 times in the 24 times it's been held since 1991.

"For success, great athletes thrive on pressure and great teams thrive on pressure," Canada coach Stan Butler said. "There's no doubt going over there as the favorite having won this tournament numerous times, anything less than that is going to be disappointing for everybody involved."

The roster was picked after a five-day selection camp at WinSport's Markin MacPhail Centre at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.

McLeod, named to NHL Central Scouting's Futures List for North America and Europe in June, had 12 goals and 29 points with Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League last season. The 6-foot-1, 184-pound forward was selected in the first round (No. 5) of the OHL Priority Selection in 2014 by Mississauga.

"This camp, the top 40 in your country, and for you to get chosen is a huge honor," McLeod said. "It's indescribable. When you're playing for your country, especially Canada, the most prestigious team internationally, it's a huge honor."

Also named to the team were Pencticton Vees teammates Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro.

Fabbro, a defenseman, had 29 assists and 33 points in 44 games in the British Columbia Hockey League in 2014-15. Jost, a forward, had 23 goals and 45 points in 46 games. Each was named to NHL Central Scouting's Futures List for North America and Europe.

Nolan Patrick, expected to be a top pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, was named to the roster. Patrick, the son of former NHL player Steve Patrick and nephew of James Patrick, had 30 goals and 56 points in 55 games for Brandon of the Western Hockey League in 2014-15. He is joined on the roster by teammates Kale Clague and Tanner Kaspick.

"I'm really excited for both of them," Patrick said. "It's going to be a fun experience for all of us. I was really excited to see them walk into the room. It's going to be fun. We talked about how fun it'd be if we got to throw the jersey on and make the team. It's pretty awesome that it worked out that way. Hopefully things can go well for the team over there."

Canada will be in Group A in the tournament with the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland. Group B consists of the United States, Finland, Slovakia and Russia.

Butler is assisted by Shaun Clouston of Medicine Hat of the WHL and Darren Rumble of Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Canada roster for the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup

Goaltenders: Carter Hart, Everett (2016 draft eligible); Dylan Wells, Peterborough (2016 eligible).

Defensemen: Jake Bean, Calgary (2016 eligible); Kale Clague, Brandon (2016 eligible); Dante Fabbro, Penticton (2016 eligible); Samuel Girard, Shawinigan (2016 eligible); Josh Mahura, Red Deer (2016 eligible); Victor Mete, London (2016 eligible); David Quenneville, Medicine Hat (2016 eligible).

Forwards: Tyler Benson, Vancouver (2016 eligible); William Bitten, Plymouth (2016 eligible); Dillon Dube, Kelowna (2016 eligible); Pierre-Luc Dubois (2016 eligible); Brett Howden, Moose Jaw (2016 eligible); Tyson Jost, Penticton (2016 eligible); Tanner Kaspick, Brandon (2016 eligible); Jordan Kyrou, Sarnia (2016 eligible); Beck Malenstyn, Calgary (2016 eligible); Michael McLeod, Mississauga (2016 eligible); Nolan Patrick, Brandon (2017 eligible); Zach Poirier, North Bay (2016 eligible); Sam Steel, Regina (2016 eligible).