Prince George Cougars goalie Taylor Gauthier will get a chance stop pucks at a "virtual" camp for Hockey Canada’s national junior team.
The 19 year old is among 41 players and one of five goaltenders who have been invited to the camp, set for July 27-31.
A traditional on-ice camp in one location will not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hockey Canada says the camp will include a variety of sessions with a focus on player development through online education.
The camp is a step towards playing for Canada at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship, set for Edmonton and Red Deer starting on Boxing Day.
The invitation follows on a career season for Gauthier.
He was first in the Western Hockey League in minutes played (2,870), tied for first in games played (50), second in shots (1,677), and second in saves (1,537). He set career highs in wins (16), goals-against average (2.93), and save percentage (.917). He also had two shutouts.
“Taylor has developed into a premier goaltender in our league and has a proven track record with Hockey Canada,” said Cougars’ general manager and head coach Mark Lamb. “His invitation is a reflection on the hard-work he’s put in this past season.”
Seven players from this year's gold medal-winning squad and the underage Canadian Hockey League rookie are among those invited.
Kingston Frontenacs centre Shane Wright, the CHL rookie of the year this past season after being granted entry into the league a year early.
Forwards Quinton Byfield, Dylan Cozens, Alexis Lafreniere, Connor McMichael and Dawson Mercer, and defencemen Bowen Byram and Jamie Drysdale return from the squad that won gold in the Czech Republic in January.
Lafreniere, the projected top pick in this year's NHL draft, has been invited, but is not required to attend.
All five goaltenders - Brett Brochu, Sebastian Cossa, Dylan Garand, Taylor Gauthier and Tristan Lennox - are newcomers.
The team also named Vancouver Giants coach Michael Dyck and Saskatoon Blades coach Mitch Love as assistants to previously named head coach Andre Tourigny of the Ottawa 67's.
- with files from the Canadian Press
