Vees defenceman joining national team

The Penticton Vees’ Jonny Tychonick will be heading to Etobicoke, Ont. next week for some intensive training with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team in advance of the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, Apr. 19-29 in Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, Russia.

“The initial list of Canadians for the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship contains a well-balanced group of players and strong foundation of international experience,” said Brad McEwen, Hockey Canada’s head scout. “Fans can expect a combination of skill, size, and speed when this year’s team begins its quest to bring home a gold medal in Russia. The players and team staff are excited about the opportunity to once again represent Canada on the world stage.”

Players will practice three times at the MasterCard Centre (Rink 1) in Etobicoke – all practices are open to the public and free of charge: April 8: 5 to 6:30 p.m. ET, April 9 and 10: 10:15 a.m. to noon ET.

On April 10 the team will depart for Russia to continue its training camp and play two pre-tournament games in Chelyabinsk: April 15 versus Slovakia and April 16 vs. Finland.

Along with Tychonick, Hockey Canada has announced 20 players that will join the team for training camp:

Goaltenders Colten Ellis (Port Hawkesbury, N.S.Rimouski, QMJHL), Nolan Maier (Yorkton, Sask.Saskatoon, WHL), and Kevin Mandolese (Blainville, Que./Cape Breton, QMJHL)

Defencemen Kevin Bahl (Mississauga, Ont.Ottawa, OHL), Bowen Byram (Cranbrook, B.C.Vancouver, WHL), Ryan Merkley (Mississauga, Ont.Guelph, OHL), Matthew Robertson (Sherwood Park, Alta.Edmonton, WHL), Ty Smith (Lloydminster, Alta./Spokane, WHL).

Forwards Graeme Clarke (Ottawa, Ont.Ottawa, OHL), Kirby Dach (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.Saskatoon, WHL), Ty Dellandrea (Port Perry, Ont.Flint, OHL), Cole Fonstad (Estevan, Sask.Prince Albert, WHL), Liam Foudy (Scarborough, Ont.London, OHL), Cameron Hillis (Oshawa, Ont.Guelph, OHL), Peyton Krebs (Okotoks, Alta.Kootenay, WHL), Alexis Lafrenière (Saint-Eustache, Que.Rimouski, QMJHL), Jack McBain (Toronto, Ont.Toronto, OJHL), Allan McShane (Collingwood, Ont.Oshawa, OHL), Serron Noel (Ottawa, Ont.Oshawa, OHL), and Chase Wouters (Lloydminster, Sask.Saskatoon, WHL)

Canada will look to reclaim gold for the first time since 2013, kicking off the tournament against its cross-border rival United States on Thursday, April 19 at 9:30 a.m. ET. Canada will also play against Belarus, Switzerland, and Sweden during the preliminary round. TSN, the official broadcast partner of Hockey Canada, is broadcasting 15 games, including all of Team Canada’s match-ups at the IIHF U18 World Championship. RDS will broadcast 10 games, including Canada’s four preliminary-round games, two quarter-final games, both semifinals, and the bronze- and gold-medal games.

Canada has won seven medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship, including three gold (2003, 2008, 2013), one silver (2005), and three bronze (2012, 2014, 2015).

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media onFacebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.