Under-17 Challenge Begins This Weekend

Pre-tournament action for the 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge begins tomorrow in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC.

Canada has split their roster into three teams – black, red and white. The two Sea Dogs who are taking part in the event – forward Joe Veleno and goaltending prospect Alex D’Orio – will both play for Canada Black.

Veleno, who the Sea Dogs drafted first overall in this year’s QMJHL Entry Draft, has two goals and eight assists in 15 QMJHL games this year. Obviously, the Dogs will be without Veleno for the tournament, which ends on Nov. 7.

According to Elite Prospects, D’Orio, the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft, has a 2.59 goals against average and a .909 save percentage in six games with the Quebec midget AAA Magog Cantonniers this season.

There are a few other QMJHL players on the Canada Black roster. Also, Shane Bowers, the highly touted Halifax native who didn’t report to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, is on the squad. Bowers has three goals and two assists in eight games with the United States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks.

Here is Team Black’s schedule:

Friday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. AST – vs Sweden (pre-tournament)

Sunday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. AST – vs Canada White

Monday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. AST – vs Czech Republic

Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 10 p.m. ADT – vs United States

The Hockey Canada website has broadcast and webcast information.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation