A young hockey player whose father hails from Port Alberni has been named to Team Canada’s roster for the 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge.
Calgary Flames goaltending prospect Laurent Brossoit, 19, was named to the team Canada roster two weeks ago, his father John Brossoit said.
“He’s over the moon and it’s been non-stop for him since,” John said.
Laurent was the Flames’ sixth-round selection, 164th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Team Canada’s roster is comprised of three goaltenders, 10 defencemen and 15 forwards, and was selected by Kevin Prendergast, head scout of the men’s Program of Excellence for Hockey Canada.
In a twist, Brossoit is sharing goaltending duties on Team Canada with his WHL Edmonton Oil Kings teammate Tristan Jarry.
Brossoit and his team are headed to Russia in August to play back-to-back games against Russia Yaroslavl. They return to Canada for a two-game stint starting Aug. 13 when they play ET Russia in Halifax. All this before an NHL camp and then there’s even more.
Coaches are watching prospects to determine which of them will be invited to Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp in December.In total, 22 players will be selected to represent Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2012 to Jan. 5, 2013 in Ufa, Russia.
Brossoit notched a 42-13-2-3 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in his second full season in Edmonton.
He helped the Oil Kings to a Western Hockey League championship and the team’s first trip to the Memorial Cup, and earned the nod for tourney Most Valuable Player honours.
The 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge is a collaboration between Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and Halifax Trade Centre.
The event is being held in honour of the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Canada-Russia series.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com