Cooper Named To Team Atlantic

Oliver Cooper has been named to Team Atlantic’s roster for the upcoming World Under-17 Challenge.

The Saint John Sea Dogs rookie was among 22 players who were named to the roster today. The tournament takes place in Windsor, Ont. from December 29 to January 4 and features five Canadian teams along with squads from Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

The full rosters for the tournament can be found here.

Cooper, a Fredericton native, has six goals and six assists in 28 games this season. He was Saint John’s top pick in the 2011 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft.

Team Atlantic’s roster is highlighted by Nathan MacKinnon. The Halifax Mooseheads forward sits second in QMJHL rookie scoring and 13^th overall with 12 goals and 23 assists in 24 games. Already considered the top prospect for the 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft, MacKinnon will be getting plenty of attention.

There is, however, the outside chance MacKinnon could crack Canada’s World Junior roster which would make him unavailable for the tournament.

Team Atlantic plays an exhibition game on December 28 against Team USA. They open the tournament on the 29th against Team Quebec. 

Maxime Gravel, who the Sea Dogs selected in June’s QMJHL draft, was named to Team Quebec’s roster.

According to the Hockey Canada website, “the gold medal game will be held Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. ET and will be shown on TSN/RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcasters. All other games at the tournament, including both semifinals and the bronze medal game, will be available through FASTHockey at hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.”

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation