Troy Bourke and Josh Smith will be playing hookey from their hockey duties with the Prince George Cougars.
The 16-year-old rookies and Cougars goaltending prospect Devon Fordyce have been named to Team Pacific for the 2011 World Under-17 Challenge in Winnipeg, Dec. 28- Jan . 4.
Bourke, a second-round pick in the 2009 bantam draft, has been impressive as a WHL rookie forward, collecting six goals and six assists for 12 points in 20 games for the Cougars. The native of Onoway, Alta., scored the deciding goal in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Giants in Vancouver.
Smith, the Cougars' first choice and 19th overall selection in the 2009 draft, has been solid as a first-year defenceman. The rugged rearguard from Lacombe, Alta., has yet to record a point, but has 52 penalty minutes in 15 games for the Cougars.
Fordyce is currently with the UFA Bisons of the Alberta Major Midget Hockey League, where he has a 4-0-3 record and 2.65 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. The Cougars picked the 16-year-old native of Cochrane in the sixth round of the 2009 draft.
"This is a proud day for the Prince George Cougars organization to have these three young men participate in the best showcase in the world for players their age," said Cougars general manger Dallas Thompson. "We wish Josh, Troy, and Devon all the best in Winnipeg later this year and are confident all three will play at a high calibre at the event."
The Cougars had players on the previous two Under-17 World Challenge tournaments. Forward Brett Connolly played for Team Pacific in 2009 in Port Alberni, while forward Wilson Dumais and defenceman Jesse Forsberg were on Team West at last year's tournament in Timmins. Ont.
The three players will miss Cougars home games Dec. 28 and 29 against Chilliwack, and will be in Winnipeg when the Cats host Moose Jaw on Jan. 4.
n The Cougars host the Kelowna Rockets at CN Centre on Friday and Saturday.
