Team Ontario Director of Operations Patrick Sweeney along with head coach Drew Bannister, assistant coaches David Schlitt and Cyril Bollers announced the 20-player roster for Ontario’s Under-16 men’s team that will compete at the upcoming 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C from Feb. 13 to Mar. 1.
The roster includes 11 GTHL players, including five members of the Toronto Titans: forwards Zack Jackson and Joseph Garreffa, defensemen Markus Phillips and Reilly Webb, and goaltender Brendan Bonello.
Forwards Brett Neumann (Don Mills Flyers), Owen Tippett (Toronto Red Wings), Simon Boyko (Toronto Jr. Canadiens), Zachary Gallant (Mississauga Rebels) and Toronto Marlboros teammates Ben Jones and Ryan McLeod will also participate.
Jr. Canadiens goaltender Kristian Hufsky was named as an alternate.
The team will depart for Prince George on Feb. 21, as they begin their quest for gold at the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Men’s hockey will take place during the second week of the games from Feb. 22 through Mar. 1. The tournament features 12 teams, one from the North West Territories, one from the Yukon as well as one each from the ten Provinces.
Team Ontario is in Pool A that also features Team British Columbia, Team Manitoba and Team New Brunswick. A schedule of games will be posted on the HDCO website when it becomes available.
The Hockey Development Centre for Ontario (HDCO) facilitates the Men’s Under-16 Canada Winter Games hockey program on behalf of the 3 Ontario Branches of Hockey Canada.
