LOGAN PYETT TO PLAY FOR TEAM CANADA

CALGARY, AB - Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Thursday the 22 players that will make up Canada’s National Junior Team for the upcoming 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The Regina Pats will send their captain Logan Pyett to this year’s IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic.  Pyett will join Pats Head Coach Curtis Hunt on this year’s edition  of the World Junior team.  The tournament will open up on Boxing Day morning, when team Canada takes on the home country the Czech Republic.  The tournament wraps up with the Gold medal game on January 5th.

Pats captain, Logan Pyett (5’11”,198 Ibs) will be representing Canada and WHL for the third time this season, as he took part in the Canada/Russia Super Series at the end of August as well as the ADT Challenge at the end of November.  The native of Balgonie, SK has notched 14 goals (4 Game Winners), and 16 assists so far this season.  Pyett, the 7th round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2006, is in his fourth season as a Regina Pat.

Hunt, who was the assistant coach for the Canadian National Junior team last season will be back for his second stint as an assistant coach. Hunt is in his fourth season behind the Pats bench and has led them to a 19-11-0-1 record to start the season.

Breakdown by the numbers:

Returning 2007 National Junior Team players: 2 - Karl Alzner, Brad Marchand

Program of Excellence experience:

Sixteen of the 22 players represented Canada in the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series;
Fourteen of the 22 players have played for Canada’s National Under-18 Team;
Fourteen of the 22 players have been involved in Canada's Regional Under-17 Program of Excellence;
One player – Wayne Simmonds – will be taking part in his first international hockey experience.

By League:

8 players from the Western Hockey League (WHL)
10 players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
3 players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
1 player from U.S. College Hockey (NCAA)

Hockey Canada branch breakdown :

8 – Ontario Hockey Federation
3 – BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Saskatchewan Hockey Association
2 – Hockey Quebec, Ottawa District Hockey Association
1 – Hockey Nova Scotia

Leadership:

Four (4) players (Alzner, Hickey, Holzapfel, Pyett) are currently captains of their respective teams, and 11 players are alternate captains;

Vital statistics:

Average age: 18 years, 11 months, 28 days (as of Dec. 26, 2007);
By year of birth: 1988 (12 players); 1989 (8 players); 1990 (2 players)
Average height: 6’0”
Average weight: 187 lbs
Canada will play its first game of the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26th versus the Czech Republic at 2:00pm ET.
TSN/RDS, TSN HD and TSN.ca have live coverage of the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, airing December 26 to January 5 from the Czech Republic. Coverage features 11 games, including all Team Canada matches and the medal round games. Following each Team Canada game, TSN.ca will stream a live post-game show. All games will also be available on-demand on TSN.ca throughout the duration of the tournament.
Team Canada games will also be broadcast LIVE on the FAN radio network (check local listings).

Canada has medaled in nine straight World Junior Championships including: gold medal performances in 2007, 2006 and 2005, silver medals in 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999 and bronze medals in 2001 and 2000.

Back