Veleno invited to Canada's U-18 camp

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Joe Veleno was the only Saint John Sea Dogs player to receive an invitation to Hockey Canada's Summer Showcase.

Veleno was invited to attend Canada's Under-18 Selection Camp, which will feature 44 players. The five-day selection camp will be used to determine Canada's roster for the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup tournament.

The 17-year-old Veleno was on Canada's U-18 squad last year, recording four assists in four games at the Hlinka.

10 QMJHL players will attend the camp, including four from the Halifax Mooseheads.

Veleno recorded 13 goals and 40 points in 45 games with Saint John last season. He added eight goals and 11 points in 18 playoff contests and another three goals and four points at the Memorial Cup.

While making the world junior team as an underage player is never easy, you have to think Veleno has a shot this year. Most consider Veleno to be a top prospect for the 2018 NHL Draft and, if he can have a strong first half with the Sea Dogs, he's got a chance, at least.

Of the 42 players invited to the world junior development camp, only two are from the QMJHL: defenceman Samuel Girard (Shawinigan) and forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (Blainville-Boisbriand). No 2018 NHL Draft prospects were invited.