Team Canada? More like Team Guelph.
Twenty two players have been named to the Canadian roster for the upcoming ISBHF U16 junior boys world ball hockey championship in Slovakia July 4-7.
Of the 22, seven are from Guelph.
Players Max Van Dam, Keilan Kirkpatrick, Brady Snedden, Luke Saramak, Connor Laskowski and Rowan Reynard, along with goalkeeper Jackson Taraborrelli made the cut and fly out this weekend.
The seven were all part of the Guelph Cyclones U15 team that won the Canadian Ball Hockey Championship in Newfoundland last year.
“We went there knowing that we had the chance to play for Canada, so we played through that tournament as hard as we possibly could, hoping for that email in October with that Team Canada invite,” said Laskowski.
He said he was a bit surprised to get the invite, but thought back to that win last summer with pride.
“I really thought how the hard work paid off, and I was really excited,” he said.
“It’s a great experience. It’ll be so fun, especially with all these guys that I know.”
The games will be played on an Olympic sized floor, so Laskowski pointed out there will be a lot of running involved.
But the 16-year-old Centennial CVI student said he is ready for it.
“I’m a runner, I run a lot so that’s one of my things that I take advantage of. I can run up and down the pad lots, so that’s one thing that I’m excited to do.”
Saramak led last year’s national tournament for the Cyclones, potting 10 goals and 17 points in six games.
“We had such a great tournament in Newfoundland, so a lot of us were expecting it,” said the fellow Centennial student.
“Just meant a lot to get that call.”
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” added Snedden, a John F. Ross student who just wrapped up Grade 10.
“But obviously we’re going for gold, that would be our goal but I’m just mostly looking forward to all the memories and lessons and experiences that I’m going to take away from Slovakia, so I’m looking forward to it.”
There are some nerves among the group, but mostly excitement as the locals look to add to their trophy case with a world championship.
“It means a lot,” Saramak said. “I don’t think Guelph’s ever represented Canada as much as it has right now.”
“I’ve played hockey and ball hockey with these guys my whole life, so it’s pretty cool that we’re getting to go to Slovakia and play for Team Canada together,” said Snedden.
