NEWS

Six OJHL graduates have been named to Team Canada and Team USA's Summer Orientation Camps in preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games that will take place in Sochi, Russia.

Five alumni will attend Team Canada's camp from August 25-28 in Calgary, Alberta, while one former OJHLer will attend Team USA's camp from August 26-27 in Arlington, Virginia.

Netminder Mike Smith joins forwards Rick Nash, James Neal, Corey Perry and John Tavares in Calgary, while forward Ryan Callahan heads to Arlington.

G - Mike Smith (Phoenix Coyotes) - Kingston Voyageurs, 1998-00
(pictured with Phoenix in 2012-13 - photo credit: Norm Hall Photography/Phoenix Coyotes)
The native of Kingston, Ontario joined his hometown Vees for the entire 1998-99 and part of the 1999-00 season, which he split with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs.  Smith would post a 3.51 goals against average in 16 games played during his full season as a 16-year old and would later play three seasons in the OHL before turning pro.

F - Rick Nash (New York Rangers) - Milton Icehawks, 1999/00
The native of Brampton, Ontario played one game for the Milton Icehawks in 1999-00 as a midget affiliate call-up, recording his first junior hockey point, an assist.  Following the season, Nash joined the OHL London Knights, where he would star for two seasons and be selected first overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

F - James Neal (Pittsburgh Penguins) - Bowmanville Eagles, 2003/04
After being selected by the Plymouth Whalers in the 3rd round, 44th overall, of the 2003 OHL Priority Selection, Neal would join the Bowmanville Eagles out of the Whitby Wildcats midget program.  The 16-year old would finish second on the club with 28 goals and 55 points in 43 regular season games played, helping the Eagles finish second in the East Division standings.  For his efforts, Neal was named the East Division's Rookie-of-the-Year and following the season made the jump fulltime to the OHL, where he would lead Plymouth to an OHL title, while also capturing a gold medal at the World Junior Championship with Team Canada.

F - Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) - Peterborough Stars, 2000/01
The native of Peterborough, Ontario would play two games with his hometown Bees as a midget call-up from the Peterborough Petes midget squad.  Perry would notch his first junior goal before joining the OHL's London Knights and leading them to their first Memorial Cup title.

F - John Tavares (New York Islanders) - Milton Icehawks, 2004/05
The 14-year old native of Oakville, Ontario would play 20 games for the Milton Icehawks while spending the majority of the season as an underager on the Toronto Marlboros minor midget squad, recording 91 goals and 158 points en route to capturing the prestigious OHL Cup tournament title.  Getting his first taste of junior hockey, Tavares would notch 11 goals and 23 points in 16 regular season games to remarkably finish twelve overall on the club in scoring.  He would play another four games in the playoffs for the Icehawks, registering five points.  Following the season, he was granted exceptional status and drafted first overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection.

F - Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers) - Syracuse/Buffalo, 2000-02
The native of Rochester, New York spent parts of two seasons in the OJHL, playing his first three games as a midget affiliate with the Syracuse Jr. Crunch in 2000-01, notching four goals and six points during an impressive debut.  The following season, Callahan joined the Buffalo Lightning (now Jr. Sabres) organization, where the 16-year old would finish second on the club with 36 points in 47 regular season games played.  Callahan would spend the next four seasons with the OHL's Guelph Storm before turning pro.

Congratulations to all six and best of luck at camp as they look to become Olympians!