While four Chilliwack Chiefs have rejoined the team, Dennis Cholowski is sticking with Team Canada West for the World Junior A Hockey Challenge.
The Chilliwack Chiefs defenceman was one of nine BCHLers named to the 22 man roster.
The team was chosen by head coach head coach Tim Fragle (Sherwood Park, AJHL) with help from director of hockey ops Trevor Alto and assistant coaches Mike Reagan (Flin Flon, SJHL) and Barry Wolff (Coquitlam, BCHL).
It represents some of the best junior A skaters from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
Cholowski is part of a seven-man defensive corps that also includes Penticton Vee Dante Fabbro.
Chiefs forwards Vimal Sukumaran, Jordan Kawaguchi and Kohen Olischefski did not make the roster, but six BCHL forwards did.
That list includes Tyson Jost of the Vees joined by Vernon’s Liam Finlay, Langley’s Justin Fregona, Coquitlam’s Blake Hayward and the Powell River pair of Kyle Betts and Carter Turnbull.
Langley’s Bo Didur holds down one of the goaltending spots.
This year marks the 10th edition of the World Junior A Challenge. Two Canadian teams (West and East) are joined by squads from the United States, Russia, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
The tournament runs Dec. 13-19 at the Cobourg Community Centre in Cobourg, ON. and the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, ON.
Seven of the nine gold-medal games in this tourney have featured at least one Canadian team, with Canada West winning gold in 2006, 2007 and 2011.
The team earned silver in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and bronze in 2013. Team Canada East earned silver medals in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011 and claimed bronze in 2008.
