The initial news release from Hockey Canada said 46 players had been invited to attend Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp November 16-December 13 in Red Deer.

But, in the midst of Thursday morning’s virtual media conference, Team Canada G-M Alan Millar revealed a 47th player had been added…none other than former Saskatoon Blades, now Chicago Blackhawks’ centre Kirby Dach (pictured in white).

Otherwise, there’s plenty of Saskatchewan content among Hockey Canada’s most extensive World Junior selection camp. Out of 47 players invited, six have ties to Saskatchewan. Saskatoon products Adam Beckman and Connor Zary, both forwards, plus defencemen and Prince Albert native Braden Schneider and Yorkton product Kaeden Korczak will attempt to crack the Canadian squad that will try to defend the World Junior Championship when the tournament starts Christmas Day in Edmonton…along with blue-liners Kaiden Guhle of the P-A Raiders and Daemon Hunt of Moose Jaw.

In addition, Saskatoon Blades’ head coach Mitch Love returns as an assistant coach, a member of the Canadian team that won the last World Junior title…it’s 18th overall…in January in the Czech Republic.

The selection process will occur while the C-H-L and its umbrella leagues remain in flux regarding a safe return to play following the pandemic-induced pause. The Quebec Major Junior League is back in action, but the W-H-L and Ontario loop aren’t slated to return until January 8 and February 4, respectively.