Canada’s best young hockey players have been selected to represent their country at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Oct. 27-Nov. 5.

The process, which began with a seven-day development camp in late July, will be finalized when the roster of Canadian players is divided to make up the three Canadian teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White – who will face the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States in their quest for gold.

The player selections were made by Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada’s director of player personnel, with assistance from Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence management group lead for under-17, Dale DeGray, and regional scouts Carl Bouchard (Quebec), Barclay Branch (Ontario), Wade Klippenstein (West), Kevin Mitchell (Atlantic), and Darrell Woodley (Ontario).

Amongst the players selected were forward Adam McMaster of the North Bay Battalion and defenseman Xavier Bernard of the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Selected 13th overall in the 2016 OHL Priority Draft, McMaster, a speedy center, opened his junior career with three assists in his first eight regular season games. Bernard was selected 12th overall in the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft; the 6’3” defenseman started his career in the Q recording two assists in his first nine games.

“They have been selected not only based on their current ability, but also on their potential to represent Canada at under-18 and junior competition in the coming years,” said Shawn Bullock, senior manager of hockey operations and men’s national teams for Hockey Canada. “This is a skilled group of high-performers with long-term international potential, and we look forward to working with them at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and in the future.”

Sources: hockeycanada.ca, hockeydb.com