Ryan McGregor will get a general indication, this summer, of how he rates among the best under-17 players in Canada.
The Burlington City Rep Hockey Club product was the only Burlington player selected for the U17 Hockey Canada Development Camp to be held in Calgary this summer.
“I think this will be extremely beneficial,” McGregor said via email. “It will allow me to see how I match up with the best kids in Canada.”
In the recent Ontario Hockey League draft, McGregor was the highest Burlington pick, chosen 24th overall by the Sarnia Sting.
“I knew there was a chance I would be selected (for the camp),” he said, “but there are so many great players my age, it made it hard to tell whether I would be selected or not.”
The 16-year-old Appleby College student has no specific goals for the upcoming year other than to “continue developing my game and getting stronger.”
McGregor, a five-foot-11, 145-pound centre, was the only Burlington product among the 194 players selected to attend the U20, U18 and U17 camps, which for the first time will all be held at the same time in the same location — Calgary’s Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park from July 29-Aug. 6.
Ryan Jankowski, director of player personnel for Hockey Canada, was responsible for all player selections, with assistance from a group of regional scouts, coaches and general managers from across the country.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Canada’ top talent to show our coaches and scouts how they can help Canada succeed on the international stage.”
The 111 players chosen for the U17 camp will participate in a six-team mini-tournament, with 66 players ultimately selected to represent Canada on one of three national teams competing at the 2015 World U17 Hockey Challenge Oct. 30-Nov. 7 at a yet-to-be-determined host city.
McGregor’s minor midget rep Eagles coach Kevin Elkins had nothing but praise for his prize student after the OHL draft.
“He’s a leader not only in the dressing room but on the ice. But the best thing is he’s respected by everybody in the league.”
Burlington Post
By Kevin Nagel
Kevin Nagel is the Burlington Post sports editor.