Only the top first-year NHL draft prospects made the list of 22 players for the Canadian Hockey League team for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge Nov. 26-27 in Ontario and two of them have Prince George ties.
Prince George Cougars goalie Joshua Ravensbergen and Vancouver Giants right winger Cameron Schmidt, a Prince George native, have been selected.
Ravensbergen, who turns 18 on Nov. 27, has picked up where he left off as one of the premier netminders in the 22-team Western Hockey League. Coming off a spectacular rookie season in which he tied the league record for freshmen shutouts with six, he currently leads the WHL with six wins.
Through 10 games with the Cougars this season, Ravensbergen sports a 3.14 goals-against average and .898 save percentage.
Schmidt, who turns 18 on Jan. 19, is in his second season with the Giants and is tied for the lead atop the scoring race with 19 points. His 12 goals in 11 games leads the WHL.
Schmidt and the Giants will travel north to play the Cougars in a two-game set on Remembrance Day weekend, Nov. 9 and 10.
Eight other WHL players were picked for the CHL team, including forwards Carter Bear, Everett Silvertips; Braeden Cootes, Seattle Thunderbirds; Benjamin Kindell, Calgary Hitmen, Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals; defencemen Blake Fiddler, Edmonton Oil Kings; Reece Hamilton, Calgary Hitmen and Jackson Smith, Tri-City Americans.
The CHL team plays the Americans on Nov. 26 in London, Ont., then again in Oshawa the following night.
The Cougars are hosting the Victoria Royals this Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m., both at CN Centre.
