Richmond native Courtney Vorster will begin 2017 on the game’s world stage wearing her country’s colours.
The blueliner was among 23-players named Monday to Team Canada’s roster for the 2017 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, slated for Jan. 7-15 in the Czech Republic.
Vorster is one of just four 16-year-olds selected. She is attending Shattuck-St. Mary’s — the renowned hockey boarding school that includes Sydney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise and U.S. women’s team star Amanda Kessell among its alumni. She is currently playing for the school’s U19 Prep team.
Vorster wore the maple leaf jersey for the very first time this past summer when she was one of three B.C. players named to Hockey Canada’s U18 national team for a three game series against the United States. The roster was finalized following a Summer Showcase selection camp in Calgary.
Her spot on the World Championship roster was secured after being further evaluated at the recent U18 Nationals in Regina.
Canada’s roster includes three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards and was selected by Melody Davidson, Hockey Canada’s general manager of national women’s team programs, alongside the team’s coaching staff with support from Hockey Canada regional scouts.
“We are excited about the group of players we have selected and are confident that they all possess the qualities we were looking for in a gold-medal team,” said Team Canada head coach Troy Ryan. “This has been a long evaluation process and these 23 players have worked hard at our camps, with their clubs teams and at nationals and will be ready to hit the ice in Czech Republic in the Team Canada jersey.”
Canada opens play on Jan. 7 against Sweden. The Canadians are looking for their fifth gold medal in tournament history.
