With the World Junior A Hockey Challenge getting closer, invitations to the camp have been sent out.
Bonnyville leading point scorer, Derek Brown, is the lone Pontiac who is been invited to the training camp.
Brown is one of the 60 junior A players who will battle it out for a spot on the Canada West roster during the three day camp.
Brown is in the top five in Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) scoring with 36 points in 28 games played. But, even with those numbers to his credit, the camp will still be a challenged for Brown.
“I am going to be going up against a lot of top players in western Canada. I'm not worried I just have to play the way I've been playing and I'll have no problem,” said Brown.
Head coach of the Bonnyville Pontiacs and a member of the Canada West coaching staff Rick Swan is happy that a member of his team will have the opportunity to try out for this team, especially with the tournament taking place in Bonnyville.
“It's great to see a Bonnyville Pontiac represent our organization for that camp and some work is cut out for him because the level in that camp is high,” said Swan.
Most young boys who grow up in Canada and who play hockey always dream of representing their country on the world stage. Now Brown has the opportunity to represent Canada and wear the team Canada sweater is something Brown is excited about.
“That would be a dream come true, I've been watching the world juniors since I was probably six or seven and watching those guys succeed and even watching the Olympics and watching those guys put the jersey, that is something that I am really looking forward to and I think I could die happy if I wore that,” said Brown.
Another Bonnyville Pontiacs will be a member of the reserve squad is Brandon Whistle, which means if a player gets injured between now and the start of the camp, Whistle will step in that players place. Whistle has played 28 games with the Pontiacs this season. In those games he has 30 points and is also in the top 10 in AJHL scoring.
“Whistle is right there but was just left off, these are two kids who are extremely deserving,” added Swan.
The camp will begin on Dec. 5, in Leduc, AB with games beginning Dec. 11 at the RJ Lalonde Arena.
