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Red Deer’s Danielson and the Rebels Vlooswyk take part in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence summer meetings

Jul 26, 2023 | 4:27 PM

An NHL Draft pick from Red Deer and a Red Deer Rebel were among 37 WHL players and prospects invited to participate in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence summer meetings.

The meetings were in preparation for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Red Deer native Nate Danielson – a Brandon Wheat King and draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, and Luke Vlooswyk, a defenceman from Calgary who plays with the Red Deer Rebels, both took part in the summer meetings.

“This impressive group of athletes is an excellent representation of the talent pool in our country, and these meetings were a great opportunity to kick off a new season and begin our preparations for two major international events,” said Regina Pats vice-president of hockey operations and general manager Alan Millar, who oversaw the meetings as Hockey Canada director of player personnel. “This was a great opportunity to introduce prospective national team players to the Program of Excellence and help prepare them for international competition.”

A total of 21 WHL prospects participated in summer meetings in preparation for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, while 16 WHL players, including 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medalist Kevin Korchinski of the Seattle Thunderbirds, took part in meetings ahead of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. In all, 19 of the 22 WHL Clubs were represented at the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence summer meetings.

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WHL Prospects – World Under-17 Hockey Challenge

WHL Players – National Junior Team

^ – returnee from 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship gold-medal team.

Players took part in virtual meetings that covered a variety of topics, including education on the Program of Excellence, Sport Safety presentations, short-term international competition preparation and meetings with the Hockey Canada management group. The WHL says the discussions will allow participants to continue to evolve as high-performance athletes and utilize the strengths and experience of the Program of Excellence’s leadership.

The league says players will continue to be evaluated through the early portion of the 2023-24 season before Canadian rosters are named for the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter.