Thursday, December 23, 2010

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- The Phoenix Coyotes announced today that three of the team’s top prospects, goaltender Mark Visentin, right wing Chris Brown and center Oscar Lindberg, will represent the Coyotes at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo, New York from December 26 – January 5, 2011. Coyotes prospect Brandon Gormley (defenseman) was selected to represent Team Canada but cannot play due to injury.

Mark Visentin (left), Chris Brown (center) and Oscar Lindberg.

The 6-foot-3, 198 pound Visentin will represent team Canada at the tournament. Visentin was drafted by the Coyotes in the first round (27th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In 21 games with the Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL) this season, the 18-year-old Visentin has posted a 13-4-4 record. Visentin currently ranks second overall among goaltenders in the OHL with a 2.30 Goals Against Average and third overall with a .921 Save Percentage.

The 6-foot-2, 195 pound Brown will represent Team USA at the tournament. Brown was selected by the Coyotes in the second round (36th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 19 games with the Michigan Wolverines (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) this season, the 19-year-old Brown has registered 2-8-10 and 12 penalty minutes. Last season, Brown was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team after leading all Michigan rookies with 28 points (13-15-28). He led all Wolverines with seven power-play goals in 45 games.

The 6-foot, 187-pound Lindberg will represent Team Sweden at the tournament. Lindberg was drafted by the Coyotes in the second round (57th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Lindberg has played in 25 games for Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League this season, recording 2-5-7 and 6 penalty minutes. The 19-year-old native of Skelleftea, Sweden, registered two points and 35 penalty minutes with Skellefeta during the 2009-10 season.