HUBERDEAU INVITED TO U-18 CAMP

Jonathan Huberdeau and his sensationally slick skills are heading to Team Canada’s Under-18 selection camp in Calgary, Alberta.

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League, announced Friday the 38 players who have been invited to attend Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp, which runs from July 31-August 3 at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, home of Canada’s national teams.

The roster includes 14 defencemen and 24 forwards. Four goaltenders will be added to the camp roster following the June 17-20 Program of Excellence goaltending camp in Calgary. Five U18-eligible goaltenders will be in attendance for that camp.

Huberdeau, drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the first round of the 2009 Quebec Major Hockey League entry draft, is already a top prospect for the 2011 NHL entry draft.

Last season with the Sea Dogs, the rookie scored 15 goals and 20 assists in 61 games. Famously known for his sick shootout moves, the St. Gerome, Quebec native went 6/6 in the breakaway challenge.

Use to the pressure of shootout situations, Huberdeau tore up the league in the post-season, registering 11 goals and seven assists in 17 games.

The Sea Dogs star will be joined by Halifax’s Brent Andrews, Val-d’Or’s Olivier Archambault and Jean-François Leblanc, Baie-Comeau’s Raphaël Bussières, Victoriaville’s Phillip Danault, and Bathurst’s Bryce Milson as forwards who will represent the QMJHL.

Q-league defensemen include Shawinigan’s Dillon Donnelly and Jonathan Racine, PEI’s Jimmy Oligny, Montreal’s Xavier Ouellet, and Lewiston’s Stephen Woodworth.

To view the full roster, click HERE.

“The upcoming National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp will be competitive and exciting,” Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray said in a release. “These players represent the future of Canadian hockey and are a testament to the strength of the Canadian Hockey League and the skill development taking place in minor hockey across the country.”

22 skaters will be chosen from the camp to represent Canada at the 2010 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament. The event runs from August 10-14 in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.