Red Deer’s own Nate Danielson will have the opportunity of a lifetime later this winter.
Monday, the 15-year-old forward was named to Canada’s team for the Youth Olympic Games from Jan 9-22 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce these young players into the Hockey Canada program,” said Hockey Canada’s head scout Brad McEwen in a press release. “This is a unique event, and it will allow our athletes to learn and develop their skills while giving them an experience they will remember for a lifetime.”
Danielson, who played for the Red Deer Bantam AAA Rebels last year and was selected fifth overall by the Brandon Wheat Kings, is now suiting up for the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep team.
In 15 games this year in the Canadian Schools Sports Hockey League, the six-foot, 165-pound forward has 14 goals and 18 assists.
Canada won silver at the 2016 Youth Olympics and will face Russia on Jan. 18 to open the tournament. On Jan. 19, they will play Denmark in Group B play during the preliminary round, with the semifinals set for Jan. 21 and the bronze and gold medal games on Jan. 22.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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