The World Junior A Challenge is set to take action this November and team training camp rosters have been announced. Countries invited to the tournament include Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and of course, the United States.
Canada has two entries into the tournament: Team Canada East and Team Canada West. Out of the 65 invitees from each eastern Junior A league, 20 are from the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) and 7 of those are from the Cornwall Colts.
Of course, you can say it’s a bit biased to do Cornwall’s Head Coach Ian MacInnis was selected to man the bench for Team Canada East for the tournament. However, each one of the 7 Colts invited have rightfully earned their spot with their hard work through out the first part of the CCHL season.
Red hot goaltender Jordan Piccolino has played 12 games with Cornwall so far and boasts a 1.96 goals against average. That’s good enough to throw him in second in the league, just behind Carleton Place’s Cory Simic who was not even offered an invite to the team. The Pierrefonds, Quebec native is in his second year with the Colts and already lead them to a championship in his first year. Not a bad selection to have between the pipes for Team Canada East.
On defence, Callum Hofford and Matthew Cruickshank were selected as invitees. The possibly college bound Cruickshank has played in 16 games for Cornwall this season and is deadly on the point. He won’t be taken lightly either as he’s wracked up 15 penalty minutes.
Forwards is where you need your strength and Team Canada East has invited Lawson MacDonald, Chase Pearson, Marley Quince and Tanner Spink. Quince and Spink need no introduction to Cornwall fans as they both lead the team in points with 18 and 13 respectively. Not to be outdone, Pearson is right up there with 10 from his side of the ice. Quince and Spink could be deadly when stuck between the right wingers, Pearson included. Hopefully we’ll see what the rest of leagues offer up for Team Canada East.
The tournament gets underway November 4th when Team Canada East takes on Team Russia.
marchhockey.com 