Central Alberta will be well represented this summer at the 2017 Team Alberta U16 Summer Camps.
Hockey Alberta named the invitees for both the male and female camps on Thursday, with 80 male and 63 female players making the grade. Overall, 11 local players were selected for the camp.
Included in the list of 2002-born males were five players from Central Alberta, including WHL Bantam Draft picks Ronan Seeley (Olds), Noah Danielson (Red Deer) and Brett Meerman (Olds). Keaton Sorensen of Red Deer and Alex Lister of Red Deer County were also selected.
“We have a very talented group coming to Camrose for Summer Camp,” said Mike Kraichy, Manager of Team Alberta in a Hockey Alberta press release. “We’re looking forward to seeing these players elevate their game for a chance to compete at the 2017 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.”
Eight goalies, 24 defence and 48 forwards were invited to the camp in Camrose from July 4-9.
Players were selected based on their performance in the 2016-2017 season and also their play at the 2017 Alberta Cup. The roster of 83 will be narrowed to a shortlist after competition in Camrose, before the 20-player roster for Team Alberta U16 is named in the fall.
On the female side, six players from Central Alberta were selected for the camp, from Red Deer, Paige Dodd and Stephanie Keeper, Dylan Norrie (Red Deer County) and Aryn Chambers (Blackfalds). The Olds pair of Kallie Clouston and Emma Dixon were also among those picked to attend.
“We’re very happy with the list of players we’ve invited to our U16 Summer Camp this year,” said Mathieu Provencher, Coordinator of Team Alberta Female in a Hockey Alberta press release. “These athletes are the future of our U18 program, and have a chance to make a good impression as we move towards the 2019 Canada Winter Games.”
Nine goalies, 18 defence and 36 forwards were invited to the camp from June 29- July 2 in Camrose.
The group of 63 female players was selected based on their performance in the 2017 Alberta Challenge earlier this month. They are among the group eligible for the 2019 Canada Winter Games that will take place in Red Deer.