Hockey Canada has announced the tryout rosters for the upcoming 2016 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, and three Surrey Eagles players have been selected. Forwards Desi Burgart and Jeff Stewart, along with defenceman Cory Babichuk will be trying out for their chance to play for Team Canada West in the Bonnyville, Alberta-hosted tournament which begins on December 11th.
The tournament, which highlights the best 20-and-under junior ‘A’ talent from across the globe, has become a staple since 2006. NHL and college scouts come out in droves to check out the talent, which has included the likes of Kyle Turris, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Tyson Jost over the years.
If they make the team, it would be the first time representing Canada for each of the three players. Last year’s lone Eagles representative was Ty Westgard, who played his first games of the season with the Eagles this past week.
Burgart, 18, is a native of North Vancouver and has tallied 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 27 games this season so far. He was acquired along with Babichuk from Penticton just prior to the beginning of the regular season.
“It’s a big honour,” Burgart said. “There are a lot of great players in this league, and in western Canada, so it’s an honour to be selected to the camp. Some pretty prestigious players have gone through the tournament. To get the opportunity to possibly play for that team would be tremendous.”
Stewart, 18, is a Surrey native who is playing in his second full season with the Eagles. He has 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 25 games thus far. In 2015-16 he was named to Team West in the CJHL prospects game, which was hosted at South Surrey Arena. He committed to Colgate University later that season.
“It’s huge,” Stewart said after learning about the news. “I’m super excited and honoured to potentially be a part of it. I really want to play alongside some of the best top-end players in the Junior ‘A’ world. I’m going to work extremely hard to make the team.”
Babichuk, also 18, is enjoying a fantastic rookie season in the BCHL. The RPI-committed defenceman has 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 25 games so far this season. He is particularly excited about getting a chance to play back in his home province of Alberta.
“I’m excited to work hard for this great opportunity, and see what happens,” Babichuk explained. “It would be great to play in front of all my friends and family in Alberta.”
The tournament officially begins on December 11th, but pre-tournament games are scheduled on December 9th. Players that are invited to the tryout camp leave the roster of their junior ‘A’ club on December 4th.
