BLACKER NAMED TO TEAM ONTARIO
Milton Icehawks netminder Ben Blacker (photo credit - Brian Watts/OJHL Images) has been named to Team Ontario for the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge that will be held from December 29 to January 4 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
The 16-year old native of Oakville, Ontario joined the Icehawks full-time this season after playing some games last season as an affiliated midget from the Brampton 45's Minor Midget 'AAA' club. Having committed to the Western Michigan University Broncos program for the 2015-16 season, Blacker joined the Icehawks and has tasted instant success in the OJHL. After starting the season 4-2, he currently holds a 7-8-1 record with a 3.64 goals against average and a .903 save percentage, while facing more than 40 shots-per-game five times this season. His efforts earned Blacker the back-up role on Team Canada East for the 2013 World Junior 'A' Challenge and he becomes the first player to play in both tournaments during the same season.
The last OJHL player to be named to Team Ontario was Robert Polesello of the Vaughan Vipers, who won a gold medal at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge that was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Also named to the team were seven former OJHL players that now play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), including:
Jesse Barwell (Mississauga) - Oakville Blades
Kyle Capobianco (Sudbury) - Oakville Blades
Sam Harding (Oshawa) - Aurora Tigers
Graham Knott (Niagara) - Aurora Tigers
Mitch Marner (London) - St. Michael's Buzzers
Garrett McFadden (Guelph) - Orangeville Flyers
Matthew Spencer (Peterborough) - Oakville Blades
Congratulations to Ben and our former players on their selection and best of luck at the tournament!
Below is the official press release from the Hockey Development Centre for Ontario (HDCO):
Team Ontario Director of Operations Barclay Branch along with Head Coach Roger Hunt, Assistant coaches Drew Bannister and Seamus Kotyk announced the 22-man roster today for Ontario's Under-17 Team that will compete at the upcoming 2014 World Hockey Challenge being held in Cape Breton Nova Scotia from December 29, 2013 through January 4, 2014.
“I am impressed with the players we have selected to represent Ontario at this year’s World Hockey Challenge. Every player going through the Under-17 evaluation process is committed to excellence, which makes it difficult when making decisions on who will ultimately make the team. There is always disappointment for those players who are not selected, however, we as a staff believe that we have put together a group of athletes who will represent Ontario with honour and class both on and off the ice and are capable of winning the Gold medal at this year's World Hockey Challenge stated Director of Operations Barclay Branch."
"The skill level of the players selected to represent Ontario at this year's event is remarkable and indicates that the minor hockey system in Ontario is continuing to produce high performance athletes as well as quality citizens stated head coach Roger Hunt.”
The team will depart for Cape Breton on December 27 where they will begin play in the World Hockey Challenge on December 29, 2013 with a preliminary game against Germany. The tournament features 10 teams, 5 regional teams and 5 International teams in 2 conferences. The 2 top teams from each conference will advance to the semi-finals while the remaining 3 teams from each group will crossover for placement games. Team Ontario will play in a conference with Germany, Team Atlantic, Russia and the USA.
The Hockey Development Centre for Ontario (HDCO) facilitates the Men’s Under-17 hockey program on behalf of the 3 Ontario Branches of Hockey Canada.
For the full Team Ontario roster, please CLICK HERE.
