Hockey Canada released its roster for the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge on Wednesday and Everett Silvertips 16-year-old defenseman Olen Zellweger was one of 66 players on the list. Zellweger made the cut despite not even being named to Hockey Canada’s U-17 training camp in the summer.
“I think it just goes to show guys that if you don’t get invited to something like that, it’s far from over,” Williams said. “He came in this year and he’s worked for everything that he’s gotten. I think he’s shown a lot of people that he’s rightfully deserved to be on one of those three teams. … He’s earned that and he’s playing with a lot of confidence and poise right now. And he’s a guy that lives and breathes hockey. (He) trains hard. Great in school. He’s a smart hockey player and he’s smart in the classroom. Every thing he does is top notch. It doesn’t surprised me that Canada came calling on him.”
Zellweger, a native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, will miss about five games while participating in the tournament, which takes place Nov. 2-9 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, and Medicine Hat, Alberta. Zellweger does not have a point in eight Western Hockey League games this season.
Everett defenseman Ronan Seeley participated in the event last year.
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