TORONTO – January 14 - On behalf of the National Ball Hockey Association of Canada we are proud to announce the 2013 Men`s Team Canada roster for World Championships to be held in Toronto, Canada the week of June 2-9.
Team Canada will be sending twenty-five players along with staff members to the event in an attempt to win gold.
The Team Canada staff was very busy in 2012 scouting various events and thorough scouting of the Ontario Premier League (Vaughan), Men`s Provincial Championships (Brampton, Oakville and London), Canada Cup, and Le Challenge Invitation Elite and the 2011 Nationals and Junior Team Canada program prospects.
The base of the team has many players returning with international experience which will be a good foundation in preparing for this high level tournament.
The team was selected throughout the country, not just on high calibre skills, but for their personalities and community backgrounds as well.
This team is built from the strong minor system in the country and many of these players have ties to the junior program as far back as 2000. This squad will definitely be competing for the gold again, but this is a process as we want players that will be part of the Team Canada family for years to come.
The program brings a strong group of coaches, with Chris Carr, Nelson Lajeunesse and Andrew Platt who share the same vision and passion of the program.
The staff hopes to prepare and assemble a team of ball hockey players from Canada to compete for gold at the WC. To field a team that sets extraordinary standards for competitiveness, sportsmanship and team continuity. To create a ‘life experience’ for members of TC and officials that is truly our goal, to compete for gold but also to set exceptional standards for the players and team officials.
Ball Hockey is an amazing sport and these young men are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to compete with the best in the world as the ultimate goal is to ensure each player has a life experience that he can take with him for years to come.
Head Coach, Chris Carr, was pleased with the selection and acceptance of the players chosen for the club. “It was great to be able to see players from the various events and have them raise the level of competition, you could see how every player’s game play was elevated at camp and I look forward to seeing them play at the next level – the world’s.
Steve Rumsey, President of the National Ball Hockey Association of Canada commented, “people that tend to be missed in these types of announcements are the local coaches, associations and family members that have helped the players get to this level, along with these individuals all those that were scouted for Team Canada at the various events should take pride in this team, as they too played a big part in the team composition.”
He continued, “On behalf of the National Ball Hockey Association of Canada, I would like to congratulate the players and staff named today, along with their provincial associations, leagues, club teams, families, coaches and officials who have helped them along the way”.
With that said, it is with great pride that we present you the 2013 Men`s Team Canada players & staff:
The Team ~ Goalies: David Di Gironimo*, Brian Valentine*, Paul Zarnett
Defensemen: Victor Avezado*, Chris Cerqueria*, Frankie Edgecombe, Ryan Gieseler*, Spencer Irving*, James Mentis*, Phil Moore*, Marc Paravanno*
Forwards: Jeff Broekema*, Frankie Giustini*, Shawn Hannon*, Matt Harvey, Mike Hedden, Charlie Giffin, Matthew Martello*, Chris Monaghan, Matt Paul*, Mike Porter, Jacob Robitaille*, Rob Shilton, Eric Tardiff, Matt Tremblett*
The Staff ~ Head Coach: Chris Carr, Assistant Coaches: Nelson Lajeunesse*, Robert Mentis*
*previous international experience
Please revisit the NBHAC web site at www.nationalballhockeyassociation.com in the coming months for player profiles.