Seafair Minor Hockey product Glenn Gawdin is among four members of the Greater Vancouver Canadians who have been shortlisted to play for Team Pacific at the 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
Gawdin was selected fifth overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft and lived up to the billing by leading the Canadians in scoring with 46 points in 40 games, including 24 goals. He enjoyed a solid post season too, finishing second among all scorers in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League.
The McRoberts secondary student also helped B.C. capture the Western Canada U16 Challege last fall. He capped a strong tournament with a goal in two assists in a 9-3 win over Alberta in the championship game.
Gawdin is expected to crack the Broncos line-up in September.
Three of Gawdin's Canadians teammates are also in the hunt to earn a Team Pacific roster spot - goaltender Taz Burman, defenceman Ty Schultz and forward Adam Musil. They will be joined by 42 other top prospects from B.C. and Alberta at the Team Pacific Summer Development Camp, slated for July 24-28 in Calgary. The 22-player roster will be finalized in late November with the World Hockey Challenge slated to start Dec. 29 in Cape Breton, NB.
The team will be coached by Steve Hamilton, an assistant with the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings.
"It's quite a privilege to be selected as head coach and I'm excited for the opportunity to work with this coaching staff and the
Team Pacific Management Committee," said Head Coach, Steve Hamilton. "With the modified format of taking the top 22 players, the staff has the opportunity to build a greater connection with the players and shape this roster with a winning formula."
Team Pacific alumni include: Ryan Nugent Hopkins (2010), Evander Kane (2008), Brent Seabrook (2002) and Joe Sakic (1986).
"I can't remember a group that is this deep and special; both Alberta and B.C. were in the gold medal game at the Western Canada Challenge Cup and what many of these players have already done with club teams is very exciting to the staff," says head scout, Wade Klippenstein.
"We can't wait to get all 46 athletes on the same sheet of ice to see who will fit in the best in terms of short-term competition and leadership so we can have the best team possible."
