Team Alberta has officially announced its 2017 BRHL World Junior roster selected by GM Joel Mierau. Showcasing several top prospects expected to be selected in the first few rounds of the upcoming BRHL draft. Including Sam Steel who leads the WHL with 23 goals and 54 points in 25 games, former Penticton Vees star and dynamic University Of North Dakota forward Tyson Jost, David Quenneville who currently leads all WHL defensemen in scoring, Calgary hitmen Defenseman Jake Bean, Vancouver Giants captain Tyler Benson, Spokane Chiefs big centerman Hudson Elynuik and Kale Clague of the Brandon Wheat Kings. Returning from last year’s group is forwards Nick Merkley (BRHL Wild), Jesse Gabrielle (Kings) Giorgio Estephan (Blackhawks), Austin Wagner (Islanders) and defenseman Brendan Guhle (Bluejackets).

   Expected to be an underdog in this tournament Alberta will be leaning heavily on highly touted goaltender Carter Hart for success. He currently leads the WHL in 4 shutouts and an impressive 1.85 GAA posting a .928 save percentage.  Backing up Hart will be goaltenders Zach Sawchenko and Stuart Skinner who are also preforming quite well in the WHL this season.

                          Dillon Dube was a notable cut from the roster he has missed 7 weeks of the season due to a fractured knee and has only played 10 games. GM Mierau instead elected to add some size and grit to his roster adding Zach Fischer who’s known to get under opponents skin and put up points as well as Kody Mcdonald who can also drive the net and be a pest for the opposing team. They along with hulking defenseman Braydyn Chizen will be expected to look after smaller skilled forwards Mason Shaw, Mathew Phillips and Skyler McKenzie who also cracked the roster and are in the WHL scoring race.

                          The BRHL world junior tournament will be underway New Year ’s Eve and although lacking the star power of rival teams Finland and USA Alberta should still be an exciting team to look out for.