Leblanc, Pirri Invited to Canada Junior Camp
TORONTO, Ont. - Two former League standouts -- Louis Leblanc (Harvard) and Brandon Pirri (Rensselaer) are among 39 of Canada's top junior-aged hockey players (born in 1991 or later) who have been invited to take part in Canada's National Junior Team selection camp, December 12-15, 2010 at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto, Ont., Hockey Canada announced.
"On behalf of Hockey Canada, we want to congratulate the players named to the camp roster today, along with their club teams, parents and minor hockey coaches that have helped them reach this level," said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada's senior director of hockey operations/national teams.
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Pirri, who signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in August and now plays for their American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford, played in all 39 games for RPI last year. As a freshman he collected 11 goals with 32 assists for 43 points along with 67 penalty minutes. He was first on the Engineers – and in ECAC Hockey – in assists, first on the team in penalty minutes and second in points. Four of his goals came on the power play and two were game-winning markers. The Toronto, Ont., native had five goals and 22 assists for 27 points in 22 league games.
Leblanc led Harvard with 11 goals and 23 points last season. He was a finalist for ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie team. Leblanc signed a contract with the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens in July 2010.
The 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship will take place from December 26, 2010, to Janunary 5, 2011, in Buffalo and Niagara, N.Y.
Canada will play its first game of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 versus Russia, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).
Canada has medaled at twelve straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2010 and bronze medals in 2000 and 2001.
