Nick Merkley and Dillon Dube are one step closer to realizing a childhood dream.
The 麻豆精选 Rockets teammates were among 32 players named today to Team 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 final selection camp, Dec. 10 to 14 in Blainville, Que., for the IIHF World Junior Championship.
Twenty-two players will make Hockey 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 final roster for the 2017 tournament, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, in Montreal and Toronto.
Merkley, 19, who was a late cut from last 测别补谤鈥檚 camp, has some extra motivation to crack 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 roster the second time around.
鈥泪迟鈥檚 a big honour, 滨鈥檓 just excited to get there and get things 驳辞颈苍驳,鈥� Merkley said. 鈥湵踱�檓 looking to do more than I did last year and hopefully I can make that team this time.
鈥泪 think the biggest thing for me is just focusing on the next game, not thinking too far ahead about making the team and just being in the 尘辞尘别苍迟.鈥�
Dube, 18, who returned to the 搁辞肠办别迟蝉鈥� lineup Nov. 12 after suffering a knee injury in preseason, hopes to make the most of the opportunity.
鈥泪迟鈥檚 an honor to get 迟丑别谤别,鈥� Dube said. 鈥泪迟鈥檚 still a tryout so I think 迟丑别谤别鈥檚 still lots to be done and hopefully 滨鈥檒濒 be able to prove myself in that short amount of time and I can get a chance to 辫濒补测.鈥�
麻豆精选 product Tyson Jost was also among 19 forwards named to the selection camp roster.
The former Okanagan Rockets and Penticton Vees forward, who plays at the University of North Dakota, is a first-round NHL draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche.
Rockets @ 罢谤颈-颁颈迟测鈥�
Coming off one of their best efforts of the season, the Rockets will look to carry that momentum stateside Wednesday night when they visit the Tri-City Americans.
麻豆精选 edged the No. 2 CHL-ranked Regina Pats in overtime on Saturday night at Prospera, a win assistant coach Kris Mallette said the Rockets must build on.
鈥淭丑别测 have to. 罢丑别测鈥檝别 now set the 产补谤,鈥� Mallette said. 鈥淲别 know we can play with one of the best teams in the country. Anything less than that now is not giving ourselves a chance.
鈥淲别 know that Tri-City is a team 迟丑补迟鈥檚 rolling pretty hot right now as well so 飞别鈥檝别 got our work cut out for us but after last game we really have to make sure 飞别鈥檙别 ready to 驳辞.鈥�
On Friday, the Rockets (14-11-0) will visit the Spokane Chiefs.
碍别濒辞飞苍补鈥檚 next home action is Saturday against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Teddy Bear Toss night. Face-off at Prospera Place is 7:05 p.m.
