(Johnson left, and de Jong right, Photo by: MyLight Photography)
The Prince George Spruce Kings are very excited to announce that Kyle Johnson and Ethan de Jong have been invited to try out for the 2016 World Jr. A Challenge taking place in Bonnyville Alberta this year.
Kyle Johnson is in his second year with the Spruce Kings, and is an alternate captain. The Port Moody native came to the Spruce Kings last year from the Vancouver NE Chiefs, and led forwards in scoring with 41 points in 58 games. This season Johnson has seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 25 games. In the offseason, Johnson committed to play for Yale University starting in the 2018-2019 season. “I’m very excited, it’s going to be a great camp, and a great chance to make the team. As line mates with de Jong for the majority of the year it’s exciting that our play together has been recognized, and it will make for a really fun experience.”
Rookie Ethan de Jong leads all 1999 born players in the BCHL with 18 points in 24 games. The forward from North Vancouver committed to the Spruce Kings last year after leading the Burnaby Winter Club Prep team in scoring with 84 points in 56 games. De Jong is the third youngest player invited, with Jonny Tychonick of the Penticton Vees and Tyler Jubenvill from the Winkler Flyers being the only younger members. “I really wasn’t expecting it, but it’s a real honour, and I hope I do well. You never want to go to one of those camps alone, it’s going to be good to have him [Johnson] and hopefully we’ll be put on the same camp team,” said de Jong.
“Getting invited to the Team Canada West selection camp is a great honour for players in our league and we are thrilled that Ethan and Kyle have the opportunity to try and earn a spot on the team. The World Jr A Challenge is a great event which creates a lot of opportunities for players to further their playing careers while representing Canada on an international stage against elite competition. We would like to wish Kyle and Ethan the best of luck at the upcoming camp,” said Prince George Spruce Kings Head Coach Chad van Diemen.
Along with 58 other players, the two Spruce Kings will head to Leduc Alberta from December 5th-8th to compete for one of the 22 open spots. The World Jr. A Challenge will begin on December 11th, and conclude on the 17th. Team Canada West is made up of players from the BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, and MJHL. The team coached by Barry Wolff of the Coquitlam Express will look to defend the title they won last year in Cobourg and Whitby, Ontario.
