Winnipeg – Hockey Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association are proud to announce the members for Team Western who will be competing in the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge in Lethbridge, Alberta from December 28, 2004 to January 4, 2005.

The announcement of the final roster, which includes 11 players from Saskatchewan and 11 players from Manitoba, concludes a lengthy selection process that has been going on in both provinces. Players first take part in regional camps. The top players from each region then compete against each other in a Spring Tournament, and from there, the top players attend a Summer Camp. Eleven (11) players are then chosen from each of the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Branches to form Team Western.

Representing Manitoba on this year’s Team Western are the following players: Kevin Armstrong, Ian Duval, Chad Erb, Justin Guttek, Kirt Hill, Blair Macaulay, Kirk Thompson, Jonathan Toews, Matt Walters, Ryan White and Brennan Zasitko.

Joining the Manitoba players will be the Saskatchewan contingent of: Kyle Bortis, Keegan Dansereau, George “Bud” Holloway, Dwight King, Jordan Knackstedt, Ryan McDonald, Ryan Nieszner, Logan Pyett, Mike Reich, Craig Schira, and Zachary Sim.

Team Western departs for Lethbridge on December 26th and will see its first action in an exhibition game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, December 28th. Tournament play begins Thursday, December 30th versus Slovakia.

Tournament schedule and roster are attached.

TEAM WESTERN
FINAL SCHEDULE