THUNDER BAY – Hockey Northwestern Ontario’s best will join forces with some of the United States’ top prospects at next month’s OHL Gold Cup.
Tag Bertuzzi, the second overall pick in last weekend’s OHL Priority Selection Draft and the son of former NHLer and Canadian Todd Bertuzzi, is one of four American players named to the HNO squad.
Joining Bertuzzi from south of the border are forward Dalton DuHart, chosen 47th overall by the London Knights, goaltender Mack Guzda, taken in the second round, 31st overall by Owen Sound, and Andrew Perrott, who heard his name called by the Knights in the second round.
In a brief release, HNO says the move was made for a couple of reasons.
“To help maintain the integrity of the high level of competition for the event, Team HNO and NOHA have agreed to take players that Hockey Canada wants to see compete in this event for evaluation purposes, that are playing outside our jurisdiction.”
The Thunder Bay Kings, with eight players named to the tournament, are the top represented team, along with the Sudbury Wolves and the Quinte Red Devils, including three of four players drafted last weekend.
Heading to the tournament are goaltender Christian Cicigoi, defencemen Joseph McCollum, Zach Fotrin, and Anthony Biniaris and forwards Cooper Witherspoon, Christian Veneruzzo, Keighan Gerrier and Owen Belisle.
The HNO roster also includes Thunder Bay defenceman Brad Fortier at CIH Green Midget AAA and forward Levi Siau, who spent last year with the London Jr. Knights.
Sam Brunton and Jacob Lugli make up the Dryden contingent, while Kenora will be represented by forwards Jacob Frankcom and Cater Tresoor.
The Hockey Northwestern Ontario entry will be coached by Jeff Ricciardi, who will be assisted by former Lakehead Thunderwolves players Aaron Piccinin and Luke Judson.
A total of 160 players will take part in the event, which starts May 3 in Kitchener, Ont.
“Every year, the players selected to participate in the OHL Gold Cup put on such a display of skill and the ability to adapt to a new team, it is so fun to see,” said OHL Gold Cup co-chair, Tony Martindale. “Today, the countdown to puck drop really begins.”
Eighteen of the 21 players selected in the OHL draft are on teams, with 129 of the 160 players having been taken.
A total of 28 players from 2016 were selected to play for Hockey Canada a the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.
