20 WHL PLAYERS NAMED TO TEAM PACIFIC

Press Release

The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 20 WHL players have been named to Team Pacific for the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg and Portage La Prairie, MB, in December and January.

The 22-player Team Pacific roster is made up of 16-year-old players from Alberta and British Columbia, with 11 players from each province being named to the team. Of the 22 players on the roster, 20 are currently playing in the Western Hockey League. The other two players on the roster – goaltenders Mackenzie Skapski and Devon Fordyce – were selected by WHL clubs through the WHL bantam draft.

“For the entire staff of Team Pacific, today is a very exciting day because the player roster for Team Pacific is formally announced. A hockey team is like a giant puzzle and though there was some very tough decisions through this process, we as an entire staff feel we have the right pieces that will fit together, both on and off the ice, that will give us the best opportunity for success at the tournament,” said Team Pacific Head Coach, Robert Dirk.

TEAM PACIFIC:

Name P S HT WT Born Hometown 2010-11 Team
Fordyce, Devon G L 6’1” 175 01-28-94 Cochrane, AB UFA Bisons (AMHL)
Skapski, Mackenzie G L 6 ‘2” 180 06-15-94 Abbotsford, BC Ridge Meadows Flames (PIJHL)
Dumba, Matt D R 6’ 175 07-25-94 Calgary, AB Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Grayson, Lucas D R 6’ 175 01-06-94 Port Hardy, BC Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Lubin, Keaton D L 5’11” 175 02-15-94 Okotoks, AB Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Reilly, Morgan D L 6’ 200 03-03-94 W. Vancouver, BC Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Reinhart, Griffin D L 6’ 4” 205 01-24-94 W. Vancouver, BC Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Smith, Joshua D R 5’11” 185 02-10-94 Lacombe, AB Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Walters, Nicholas D L 6’1” 185 04-11-94 St. Albert, AB Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Bellerive, Matt F R 5’10” 180 12-01-94 N. Vancouver, BC Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Bews, Levi F R 6’ 0 193 04-10-94 Longview, AB Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Bourke, Troy F L 5’10” 170 03-30-94 Onoway, AB Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Clayton, Chase F L 5’11” 180 05-11-94 Abbotsford, BC Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Danyluk, Shane F L 5’11” 180 01-14-94 Salmon Arm, BC Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Erricson, Jari F L 5’11” 180 01-27-94 Prince George, BC Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Hickman, Justin F R 6’2” 190 03-18-94 Kelowna, BC Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Hodges, Steven F L 5’11” 175 05-05-94 Chilliwack, BC Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)
Magee, Brandon F R 5’7” 165 01-23-94 Edmonton, AB Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)
Olsen, Ryan F R 6’2” 180 03-25-94 Delta, BC Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Shinkaruk, Hunter F L 5’10” 160 10-13-94 Calgary, AB Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Trzonkowski, RobertF R 6’2” 200 01-31-94 Calgary, AB Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Winther, Mike F R 5’11” 170 07-09-94 Trochu, AB Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)


2010 - 2011 TEAM PACIFIC STAFF
Title First/Last Name Hometown 2010 – 11 Team
Director of Operations Glen Carrier Maple Ridge, BC Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)
Asst. Director of Operations Justin Fesyk Sylvan Lake, AB Hockey Alberta
Head Coach Robert Dirk Penticton, BC Okanagan Hockey Academy
Assistant Coach Craig Bedard Cranbrook, BC Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Assistant Coach Blair Becker Edmonton, AB Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
Athletic Therapist Ryan Williams Edmonton, AB Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Equipment Manager Troy Clifford Kamloops, BC Thompson River University (BCIHL)
Video Coach Bill Rotheisler Kelowna, BC Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)