Two Moose Jaw Warrior prospects will be representing their respective provinces next month at the Western Canada Under 16 Challenge Cup.
First round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, goaltender Zach Sawchenko will represent Alberta. He is currently playing with the Notre Dame Argos in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League and has a record of 1-1-1 with a 3.57 GAA and .890 save percentage in four games.
Sawchenko also took part in the Allstate All-Canadians NHLPA Mentorship Camp in Toronto in July.
The Warriors third round pick in this year’s draft, Ryan Gardiner was selected to Team Manitoba. He has four points in five games thus far this season with the Winnipeg Thrashers of the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League.
The 2012 Western Canada Under 16 Challenge Cup will be played at the Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary from Nov. 1-4. The tournament features the highest rated 15-year old players in the four western provinces in a round robin format and is the first step towards the Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. The Challenge Cup was held in Moose Jaw last year at Mosaic Place.
Team Saskatchewan has three players from the Midget AAA Moose Jaw Generals — defenceman Shane Collins and forwards Regan Nagy and Rykr Cole. Ryan Murray’s younger brother, Troy Murray also made the team.
For more information or tickets, visit http://www.whl.ca/2012u16challengecup
