The young stars in the OHL will be well-represented at the 2024 U-17 World Challenge.
Yesterday, Hockey Canada announced the 44 players will make up the two Canadian teams competing in the 2024 U-17 World Challenge.
"We believe we have assembled two strong teams that will give us the best chance to defend our gold medal, and we know all 44 players are excited to wear the Maple leaf with Canada Red and Canada White in Sarnia next month," said Director of Hockey operations Benoit Roy.
Of the 44 players selected, 18 currently play in the OHL. Arranged by team, they are as follows:
Canada White
Ethan Belchetz - Windsor
Beckham Edwards - Sarnia
Tyler Challenger - Erie
Jean Lemieux - Windsor
Logan Hawery - London
Cole Zuwarski - Flint
Caleb Mitchell - London
Canada Red
Parker Vaughn - Barrie
Pierce Mbuyi - Owen Sound
Braidy Wassilyn - Niagara
Colin Fitzgerald - Peterborough
Alessandro Di Lorio - Sarnia
Alex McLean - Guelph
Lucas Ambrosio - Erie
Carter Hicks - Windsor
Blake Gowan - Peterborough
Kohyn Eshkawkogan - Ottawa
Colin Ellsworth - Guelph
Many of these players have started their OHL careers with a bang. Belchetz has four goals and four assists in five games while Beckham Edwards leads the Sarnia Sting with six points.
Jean Lemieux and Braidy Wassilyn have also been standouts to start the year.
The start date for the tournament is set for Nov. 3, when Canada White will play against Czechia and Canada Red will play Finland.
More than 2,000 NHL draft picks have taken part in the tournament since its inception. Many of these players will be taking their first steps towards being drafted themselves by suiting up for Canada.
Canada took home the gold medal last year for the first time since 2016. They will look to defend their title in the upcoming tournament while showcasing the country's talent.