Adamyk invited to Canada West evaluation camp

JOSH LEWIS
of The Clarion

Canada West held its evaluation camp this week in Okotoks for the 2009 World Junior A Challenge and Kindersley Klippers centre Braeden Adamyk was among those competing for a spot.

The 40-man camp roster had been announced by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League on Thursday. Adamyk, 19, was one of seven SJHL players invited and the lone Klipper.

Klippers head coach Larry Wintoneak is an assistant with the Canada West squad, which will no doubt help Adamyk’s chances of competing at the early November event in Summerside, P.E.I.

“Larry addressed it when we talked about it when I was coming home from (training camp in Tri-City) and it was definitely something to shoot for in the first 10 games of the season, so I’m really happy,” Adamyk said before the camp, which took place from Sunday to Tuesday.

“I know he’ll be vying for me and I’m really thankful for that and hopefully I can put on a good showing.”

The players, divided into red and white squads, arrived in Okotoks Sunday and practiced on Monday and Tuesday along with an intrasquad game each night. Adamyk suited up for Team White along with fellow SJHL players James Howden (Notre Dame), Trevor Cameron (Notre Dame), Dylan Smith (Estevan), Andrew Johnston (Flin Flon) and the injured Lee Christensen (Melfort).

“Hopefully I can go in there and do what I can and play my role,” said Adamyk, who will not miss any action with the Klippers. “That should hopefully get me a spot on the team.”

Adamyk joined the Klippers last November after coming over in a trade from his hometown Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. He scored six goals and 19 points in 36 games as an 18-year-old.

Team Canada West will be comprised of 22 players from the SJHL, MJHL, British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League.The final roster will be announced in mid-October.

Along with Wintoneak, the Canada West staff includes head coach Rylan Ferster of the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks and assistant Barry Butler of the MJHL’s Waywayseecappo Wolverines.