Canada’s U-17 Marquee Talent

The 2004 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will showcase the best 1987-born prospects Canada has to offer.

As usual Canada is broke up into five regional teams: Pacific (British Columbia & Alberta), Western (Saskatchewan & Manitoba) Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic (New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia & Newfoundland).

In recent years, some of Canada's premier prospects have taken part in this exceptional tournament. The 2001 event featured Marc-Andre Fleury, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Steve Bernier, Rick Nash, Eric Staal, Josh Harding, Derek Meech, Jeremy Swanson, Daniel Paille, Braydon Coburn, Ian White, Jonathan Filewich and Jeff Tambellini.

The talent level in 2002 was equally impressive boasting the likes of Stephen Dixon, Shawn Belle, Dion Phaneuf, Brent Seabrook, Jeremy Colliton, Anthony Stewart, Jeff Carter, Eric Fehr, Ryan Getzlaf, Nigel Dawes and Corey Perry.

After a break in 2003, as every fourth year the top Under-17 Canadian players represent their province at the Canada Winter Games, the five Canadian regions are ready to faceoff against each other and the rest of the World (Slovakia, Germany, Russia, Finland & United States).

Aside from trying to defeat Team USA, the two-time defending Under-17 Champions (2001 & 2002), this tournament is also a prime opportunity for many future top NHL prospects to showcase their talents.

Here is a brief look at the key marquee players who are bound to make some noise at the 2004 U-17 Hockey Challenge, and how the Canadian entries fared in 2002.

Team Pacific

2002: won Silver Medal, fell to Team USA in the Gold Medal game 5-4 in overtime.

Premier Talent

Carey Price (08/16/87) Goalie, Tri-City (WHL) - A big, athletic goalie who has all the instincts and talent to be the top goalie for the 2005 NHL Draft.

Mike Gauthier (03/26/87) Defence, Prince Albert (WHL) - A monster defensemen, already 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Gauthier will continue the parade of big, bruising blueliners from the WHL.

Dan Bertram (01/14/87) Forward, Camrose (AJHL) - Often mentioned among the top three of the 2005 Draft class, Bertram is a speed demon blessed with a lethal offensive arsenal.

Gilbert Brule (01/01/87) Forward, Vancouver (WHL) – A very speedy and shifty player who likes to show off his hard, accurate slapshot.

Devon Setoguchi (01/01/87) Forward, Saskatoon (WHL) - An offensive dynamo on the ice with great work habits and the ability to lead offensively.

Keep an eye on

Brock Bradford (01/07/87) Forward, Coquitlam (BCHL) – A small, feisty winger with terrific moves, Bradford handles the puck exceptionally well and shows tremendous offensive upside.

Nicholas Drazenovic (01/14/87) Forward, Prince George (WHL) – A speedy, offensive-minded center with superb hockey sense and playmaking abilities.

Dustin Kohn (02/02/87) Defence, Calgary (WHL) - A very gifted skater who likes to jump into the play and has the speed to recover on defense.

Adam Hobson (01/09/87) Forward, Spokane (WHL) – Blessed with an excellent mix of vision offensive abilities, Hobson looks to be a very good player in the making.

Riley Merkley (04/25/87) Forward, Calgary (WHL) - A big, solid player with good two-way skills who can be counted on to be a leader for his team.

Team Western

2002: finish in 7th place by defeating Team Atlantic 11-2.

Premier Talent

Codey Burki (11/17/87) Forward, Brandon (WHL) - A strong playmaker with good awareness, passing skills, and the potential to be an offensive gem.

Chris Durand (09/22/87) Forward, Seattle (WHL) - A great playmaker and accurate passer who plays a strong defensive game and shows good character.

Frazer McLaren (10/29/87) Forward, Portland (WHL) - Mammoth power winger should develop into a physical force and stable two-way player.

Keep an eye on

Michael Kaye (03/14/87) Forward, Lethbridge (WHL) – Good-sized winger shows terrific awareness around the net, sharp playmaking abilities, and a hard, accurate shot.

Tanner Gillies (06/14/87) Forward, Moose Jaw (Midget AAA) - A big offensive forward who intimidates with his size and possesses a nose for finding the back of the net.

Brock Trotter (01/16/87) Forward, Dauphin (MJHL) - A small, speedy forward who displays great vision and hockey sense around the net.

Team Ontario

2002: captured the Bronze Medal, defeating Team Quebec by a score of 5-4.

Premier Talent

Patrick McNeill (03/17/87) Defence, Saginaw (OHL) - A great two-way leader with good skating abilities and the ability able to jump-start the offense.

Bobby Hughes (11/11/87) Forward, Kingston (OHL) - A creative, highly-skilled playmaker with an excellent mix of skill and vision.

Bryan Little (11/12/87) Forward, Barrie (OHL) - A small, speedy pivot with outstanding vision and a knack for creating opportunities for his teammates.

Marc Staal (01/12/87) Defence, Sudbury (OHL) - A solid, well-constructed blueliner with great poise and maturity, Staal plays a tight defensive game and also brings an offensive flair.

Andrew Cogliano (06/14/87) Forward, St.Mike's Buzzers (OPJHL) – Among the top players in his age group, Cogliano is an exceptionally-skilled player who plays an exciting, up-tempo game.

Keep an eye on

Ryan O'Marra (04/03/87) Forward, Erie (OHL) - A solid, smooth skater who shows the skill and aptitude to develop into a premier power forward.

Chris Lawrence (08/06/87) Forward, SS Marie (OHL) – An offensive threat, Lawrence is a strong skater who can carry the puck and create chances dues to his superb passing abilities.

Tony Rizzi (01/06/87) Forward, Kingston (OHL) – Tall winger is an excellent skater and a fine playmaker with impressive awareness and vision.

Elgin Reid (02/27/87) Defence, Ottawa (OHL) - A solid defenceman who anticipates the game exceptionally well and can also chip in offensively.

Team Quebec

2002: finished a respectable 4th, losing the bronze medal game to Team Ontario 5-4.

Premier Talent

Mathieu Carle (09/30/87), Defence, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) – A skilled, average-sized blueliner with fluid skating abilities and tremendous defensive awareness.

Guillaume Latendresse (05/24/87) Forward, Drummondville (QMJHL) – Among the top 2005 eligibles, Latendresse is a talented scorer with superb offensive awareness and skating skills.

Marc-Andre Cote (02/26/87), Forward, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) – A fluid skater and highly-skilled passer with terrific acceleration and agility.

Francis Guerette-Charland (04/28/87), Forward, Victoriaville (QMJHL) – A good puckhandler willing to dish out and take hits to create offensive chances.

Keep an eye on

Jean-Philippe Paquet (01/07/87) Defence, Shawinigan (QMJHL) - A tall, good-skating rearguard who plays a safe defensive game and can clear the puck out of the zone.

Jean-Philippe Levasseur (01/15/87) Goalie, Magog (Midget AAA) – A proto-typical butterfly goalie, Lavasseur has good size and plays his angles exceptionally well.

Marc-Andre Cliche (03/23/87) Forward, Lewiston (QMJHL) – A speedy, average-sized winger who handles the puck very well and has a nice assortment of shots and moves.

Team Atlantic

2002: finished a mediocre 8th, after being hammered 11-2 by the Western boys.

Premier Talent

Ryan Mior (06/18/87) Goalie, P.E.I. (QMJHL) - Blessed with fast, fluid reflexes, Mior displays all the fundamentals to become a solid goalie prospect.

Luc Bourdon (02/16/87) Defence, Val d'Or (QMJHL) – A talented rearguard with excellent defensive instincts, as well as good puck-moving skills and foot speed.

Daniel Ryder (01/12/87) Forward, Peterborough (OHL) - A fast, gifted offensive forward with elite puck skills and vision.

Kenzie Sheppard (11/04/87) Forward, Halifax (QMJHL) – An aggressive winger who possesses a tremendous skill package and a nasty streak when provoked.

Keep an eye on

Jordan Clendenning (02/04/87) Forward, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) – Smallish, gifted winger who handles the puck very well and possesses an excellent shot.

Tyler Hawes (08/06/87) Forward, P.E.I. (QMJHL) – Sizable winger with solid puckmoving skills, good speed, and a hard, accurate wristshot.

Justin Saulnier (04/16/87) Forward, Halifax (QMJHL) – A highly-skilled, two-way player who never shies away from throwing around his body.

Ben MacFarlane (09/13/87) Goalie, Woodstock (MJAHL) – A consistent goaltender who doesn't lose focus and can always be counted on to deliver a solid performance.