At least one Kamloops Blazer will be on Team Canada for the World Juniors later this month.
Dylan Garand, a New York Rangers prospect, is one of three goaltenders left at selection camp in Red Deer after Hockey Canada released seven players this morning, including two of the five goalies.
“I kind of got woken up this morning and called down to meet the coaches. I was a bit nervous that maybe I was getting sent home,” Garand said at a media availability this morning. “After they told us the news, it was a great feeling and it’s awesome to know I’m going to be part of this team. Now, it’s just time to keep going.”
Garand, a Victoria native, is one of only five 18-year-olds on Team Canada’s roster.
Canada has said it will take three goalies into the tournament – with Taylor Gauthier from the Prince George Cougars and Devon Levi from Northeastern University – the other two goaltenders who remain with the team.
The last Blazer to make Team Canada was a goaltender – Connor Ingram in 2017 – where he won a silver medal.
Fellow Blazer, Connor Zary, a first round pick of the Calgary Flames, is among the 34 players who are still at camp. The Saskatoon native is looking to make the team this time around as a 19-year-old after being cut last year.
Hockey Canada will be making nine more cuts before leaving for the Edmonton bubble this weekend with 25 players.
The World Juniors get underway on Christmas Day this year, and Canada will begin its title defence against Germany on Boxing Day.
UPDATE | 7 players have been released from Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp.
Goaltenders: Brett Brochu and Tristan Lennox
Forwards: Adam Beckman, Tyson Foerster, Hendrix Lapierre, Cole Schwindt and Shane Wright
More: https://t.co/XnoJZp61SF
— #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) December 10, 2020
