A Saskatoon Blade, a Prince Albert Raider, plus five Saskatchewan youngsters…including three from Saskatoon…are among the 20 W-H-L players named to the 66-man Hockey Canada roster for the upcoming Capital City Challenge.
This event replaces the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge for 2021 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It’ll be played November 26th through December 1st in Ottawa. The 66 players from across the country will be split evenly into three teams. A fourth entry will be Canada’s National Women’s Team as they get set to take part in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
The Saskatoon Blade player invited to take part is defenceman Tanner Molendyk along with P-A Raiders forward Harrison Lodewyk. The trio of Saskatoonians involved are forwards Brayden Yager of the Moose Jaw Warriors, Riley Heidt of the Prince George Cougars and defenceman Caden Price of the Kelowna Rockets. In addition, Shaunovan product and Red Deer Rebels forward Kalan Lind plus Weyburn native and Brandon Wheat Kings blue-liner Quinn Mantei are awaiting word as to whether they will play for Team Canada Black, Red or White. Those rosters will be announced soon. Following is the news release from the W-H-L…..
HOCKEY CANADA NAMES 20 WHL PLAYERS TO UNDER-17 ROSTER FOR CAPITAL CITY CHALLENGE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021
Calgary, Alta. – 20 Western Hockey League players have been named by Hockey Canada to the Under-17 roster set to participate at the 2021 Capital City Challenge, a four-team tournament featuring three men’s under-17 teams and Canada’s National Women’s Team, Nov. 26-Dec. 1 in Ottawa.
Hockey Canada announced the roster of 66 players Friday. The players will be divided into three teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White. The rosters for Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
WHL Players – 2021 Capital City Challenge
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Ratzlaff | Scott | Seattle Thunderbirds | Irma, Alta. | 6’0” | 164 | G |
| Dragicevic | Lukas | Tri-City Americans | Richmond, B.C. | 6’0” | 171 | D |
| Hammell | Kaden | Kamloops Blazers | Langley, B.C. | 6’2” | 180 | D |
| Leslie | Mazden | Vancouver Giants | Lloydminster, Alta. | 6’0” | 182 | D |
| Mantei | Quinn | Brandon Wheat Kings | Weyburn, Sask. | 5’11” | 175 | D |
| Molendyk | Tanner | Saskatoon Blades | McBride, B.C. | 5’11” | 177 | D |
| Price | Caden | Kelowna Rockets | Saskatoon, Sask. | 6’0” | 177 | D |
| Weinstein | Saige | Spokane Chiefs | Edmonton, Alta. | 6’0” | 177 | D |
| Zemlak | Austin | Victoria Royals | Stony Plain, Alta. | 6’0” | 186 | D |
| Adaszynski | David | Calgary Hitmen | Burnaby, B.C. | 5’10” | 173 | F |
| Benson | Zach | Winnipeg ICE | Chilliwack, B.C. | 5’10” | 150 | F |
| Cristall | Andrew | Kelowna Rockets | Vancouver, B.C. | 5’9” | 160 | F |
| Gizowski | Kooper | Spokane Chiefs | Edmonton, Alta. | 5’8” | 170 | F |
| Halaburda | Ty | Vancouver Giants | Victoria, B.C. | 6’1” | 208 | F |
| Heidt | Riley | Prince George Cougars | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’10” | 181 | F |
| Lind | Kalan | Red Deer Rebels | Shaunavon, Sask. | 6’0” | 153 | F |
| Lodewyk | Harrison | Prince Albert Raiders | Red Deer, Alta. | 5’9” | 180 | F |
| Oremba | Sam | Seattle Thunderbirds | Regina, Sask. | 6’0” | 189 | F |
| Singer | Ryker | Prince George Cougars | Lloydminster, Alta. | 5’9” | 164 | F |
| Yager | Brayden | Moose Jaw Warriors | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’11” | 162 | F |
The Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants each boast two players on the Canadian Under-17 roster. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Calgary Hitmen, Kamloops Blazers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Red Deer Rebels, Saskatoon Blades, Tri-City Americans, Victoria Royals and Winnipeg ICE will each be represented by one player at the Capital City Challenge.
“We are excited to unveil the 66 players that will suit up for our three men’s under-17 teams at the Capital City Challenge and have the unique opportunity to compete against Canada’s National Women’s Team in Ottawa,” said Hockey Canada senior vice-president of hockey operations Scott Salmond. “Although this has not been a traditional year for our Program of Excellence and the under-17 group, we are excited to introduce these athletes to an event that replicates short-term, international competition.”
In addition to the 20 WHL players taking part, 10 WHL hockey operations personnel have been named to the staffs of the three Canadian squads, including Kelowna Rockets head coach Kris Mallette, who will serve as bench boss for Team Canada Red. Regina Pats assistant coach Brad Herauf will assume head coaching responsibilities for Team Canada White, while Gordon Burnett (Moose Jaw Warriors) has been named an assistant coach of Team Canada Red. Kelly Guard (Prince Albert Raiders) will be the goaltending coach for Team Canada White, while Landon Watson (Regina Pats) will hold the role of video coach with Team Canada Black.
