Lloydminster’s very own Linden Springer got some exciting news last week that he has been invited to Canada West’s selection camp to compete for a spot to play on Canada West in the 2013 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.
Earning a spot on Canada West and having the chance to play against international opponents would be a dream come true for the second year Bobcats defenseman, “It’s an opportunity that I haven’t had before, really excited to get to camp. It’s nice to see hard work pay off,” Linden says.
After playing in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars in 2011/12, Linden returned home to join the Bobcats last season after a brief stint with the Portland Winterhawks. Last season with the Bobcats he recorded 5 goals, 8 assists for 13 points and added toughness with 201 penalty minutes. This season Linden Springer wears an ‘A’ on his sweater and has a goal and 3 assists, good for 4 points and 60 penalty minutes in 13 games.
The selection camp goes from October 26th to 30th in Calgary, Alberta as Linden will be competing against 66 players, specifically 24 defensemen for a spot on Canada West’s roster. “I have to go in there with a role in mind, highlight that, go there with the right attitude and set a goal for myself. Hoping for the best, gain some experience and feedback,” Linden added.
Coach/GM Garry VanHereweghe fully supports the decision of the Canada West coaching staff, “Linden has provided skill, character and leadership towards the early success of the Bobcats. If successful in his attempt to make Team Canada West, Linden will provide a mixture of both skill and toughness on the back end. The entire Bobcat team wishes Linden all the best in his quest to represent the Bobcats.”
The 2013 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge will be held from November 4th to the 10th in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia where Canada West will play out of ‘Group B’ and face-off against Czech Republic and Switzerland.
A total of 5 CJHL leagues are represented from the 66 players selected, including the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), and Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
The players coming to camp were chosen by Canada West head coach Jason McKee who is also the Spruce Grove Saints head coach. Also making the choices were assistant coaches Trent Cassan from Yorkton of the SJHL, Ryan Smith of Selkirk in the MJHL, and team manager Shawn Bullock of Hockey Canada.
22 players will be selected to wear the red & white.
For further information on the tournament please visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac
For further inquiries please contact Stephen Kaczmar at 780.871.0900