WINNIPEG, MB – Hockey Manitoba is pleased to announce the Under-16 & Under-18 rosters for the Program of Excellence (POE) TOP-40 Camp to be held May 12-15, 2016 in Portage La Prairie at PCU Centre. The POE TOP-40 Camp is the second major phase of the Program of Excellence which is the selection process for the 2016 U-16 (Male) and U-18 (Female) Team Manitoba rosters. The TOP-40 Camp rosters have been finalized following the U-16 and U-18 POE Spring Tournaments held from April 8-10, 2016 at MTS Iceplex, Seven Oaks Arena, Gateway Recreation Centre and Southdale Community Centre in Winnipeg.

A total of forty-four players have been invited to the U-16 camp, comprised of four (4) goalies, twelve (12) defensemen, and twenty-eight (28) forwards. Following a competitive POE Spring Tournament which featured a total of 102 of the province’s best 2001 born (male) players the coaches and evaluation staff had the duty of making many tough decisions to cut down to the forty player range.

Click here for 2016 U-16 TOP-40 POE Roster

The U-18 coaches and evaluation staff also had to make some tough decisions following their Spring Tournament which featured 101 of the best female players in the province. The U-18 program has forty-one players invited to the POE TOP-40 Camp comprised of five (5) goalies, twelve (12) defense, and twenty-four (24) forwards.

Click here for 2016 U-18 TOP-40 POE Roster

The POE TOP-40 Camp is an integral piece in determining not only the short list of skill & talent for Team Manitoba but also a significant importance is placed on team building, off-ice behavior, and estimating individual character and leadership qualities.

U-16 Team Manitoba will compete at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup in Calgary, Alberta in October of 2016 followed by U-18 Team Manitoba competing at the National U-18 Women’s Championships in Regina, Saskatchewan,  November 9-13, 2016.

For more information about the Hockey Manitoba Program of Excellence please visit: www.hockeymanitoba.ca/players/poe.  Hockey Manitoba is pleased to recognize Canad Inns, CCM Hockey, and the Western Hockey League as Official Partners of the Program of Excellence, along with Gatorade as the Official Sport Drink of Hockey Manitoba.