OHA players make Team B.C.
Three Okanagan Hockey Academy players will suit up for Team B.C.
Defenseman Mitchell Brown and Jackson Van De Leest along with forward Logan Nijhoff were all announced to the roster for the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup taking place Oct. 18 to 23 at WinSport Arena in Calgary, Alta.
“On behalf of the Team B.C. staff, we are excited about this group of young men selected to play for Team B.C. at the 2016 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup,” said Team B.C. director of operations, Derek Cranfield. “The team has a good mix of hockey smarts, skills, size and speed; all traits Team B.C. needs to perform at this tournament. The entire group is honoured to represent B.C. and the B.C. Hockey and are looking forward to working together to have a great tournament.”
Team B.C. kicks off the tournament against Team Manitoba, then will face Team Alberta.
Former OHA on elite list
Central Scouting released their preliminary players to watch list for the 2017 NHL draft and it includes nine former Okanagan Hockey Academy players.
The list is a compilation of top prospects from all the major development leagues throughout North America and Europe. They receive an A, B or C rating. A players are considered potential first-round picks, B considered possible second or third-round picks and C is potential fourth, fifth or sixth-round selections.
Michael Rasmussen, who now plays with Tri-City in the WHL received the only A rating out of the OHA alumni.
(read more: OHA player debuts with Tri City Americans)
Several former OHA players received C ratings including Jordan Bellerive, Ryan Bowen, Jordan Hollett,Jonathan Smart, Brendan Semchuk, Scott Walford and Brody Wilms.