Vancouver Giants' star Brendan Gallagher is one step closer to playing for Canada at the upcoming 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships.
The 19-year-old from Tsawwassen is among 41 players invited to Canada's 2012 National Junior Team selection camp slated for Dec. 10-14 in Calgary. This is the second straight year the South Delta Minor Hockey product has got the call to try out for Team Canada after being among the final cuts in 2010. He joins Giants head coach Don Hay who will be the head coach of this year's team.
"Being selected to attend the world junior camp once again is very exciting for me," said Gallagher. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity and proving I deserve a spot on this year's team. I learned a lot from my experience last year, which hopefully will benefit me this time around."
A fifth round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2010, who just signed his first professional contract earlier this month, Gallagher has 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points in 23 games this year with the Giants. He is in his fourth year with organization and is on pace to break every offensive record in club history. He currently sits in second place all-time in goals (114) and points (240) and in fourth place in career assists (126).
Of the 41 players invited, three are returning players - Quinton Howden, Jaden Schwartz and Mark Visentin. They helped Canada earn the silver medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo. The 2012 tournament takes place in Edmonton and Calgary from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
