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SAULT STE. MARIE - Jared McCann says it's always been a dream of his to play in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Today, that dream is about to become a reality.
The Soo Greyhounds rookie centre was one of 22 players named to the Team Ontario roster Thursday.
This year's World Under-17 tourney is set for Dec. 29 – Jan. 4 in Victoriaville and Drummondville, Que.
“I'm really excited and I can't wait,” said McCann, the Hounds first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2012 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selections draft. “Darnell (Nurse) played in it last year and it's a great opportunity.”
Nurse, a second-year OHL defenceman, was an allstar at last year's event, held in Windsor, Ont.
McCann, who has five goals and five assists in 21 games for the Hounds this season, said he learned he would be on the team Wednesday night.
That's when he received a telephone call from U-17 head coach Troy Smith.
“He (Smith) congratulated me. I was surprised and overjoyed at the same time,” said McCann, a six-foot, 175-pound native of London, Ont. “It shows what working hard can bring. And I'm determined to work hard when I join the team.”
Along with McCann, Rich Rotenberg of the Hounds was chosen to serve as the club's athletic therapist.
Ontario's Under-17 Team is slated to depart for Quebec on Jan. 27. The annual tourney features 10 teams. Five are regional teams from across Canada and five are international squads.
Team Ontario will play in a conference than includes Slovakia, Team Atlantic, Team Pacific and Team Quebec.
Asked about his rookie season in the OHL, McCann said it's been everything he thought it would be.
“It's been awesome,” he added. “It's been really exciting and all of the guys on the team have helped me out.”
Today, that dream is about to become a reality.
The Soo Greyhounds rookie centre was one of 22 players named to the Team Ontario roster Thursday.
This year's World Under-17 tourney is set for Dec. 29 – Jan. 4 in Victoriaville and Drummondville, Que.
“I'm really excited and I can't wait,” said McCann, the Hounds first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2012 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selections draft. “Darnell (Nurse) played in it last year and it's a great opportunity.”
Nurse, a second-year OHL defenceman, was an allstar at last year's event, held in Windsor, Ont.
McCann, who has five goals and five assists in 21 games for the Hounds this season, said he learned he would be on the team Wednesday night.
That's when he received a telephone call from U-17 head coach Troy Smith.
“He (Smith) congratulated me. I was surprised and overjoyed at the same time,” said McCann, a six-foot, 175-pound native of London, Ont. “It shows what working hard can bring. And I'm determined to work hard when I join the team.”
Along with McCann, Rich Rotenberg of the Hounds was chosen to serve as the club's athletic therapist.
Ontario's Under-17 Team is slated to depart for Quebec on Jan. 27. The annual tourney features 10 teams. Five are regional teams from across Canada and five are international squads.
Team Ontario will play in a conference than includes Slovakia, Team Atlantic, Team Pacific and Team Quebec.
Asked about his rookie season in the OHL, McCann said it's been everything he thought it would be.
“It's been awesome,” he added. “It's been really exciting and all of the guys on the team have helped me out.”