The Alberta Junior Hockey League announced that 22 AJHL players will be going to Sochi, Russia in August for the 2019 Junior Club World Cup.
Among the 22 players selected, it includes 2 players from the Canmore Eagles: 18-year-old Forwards Alex Young and Max Giangualano.
The 22 AJHL players will compete in an eight-team international tournament from August 23rd ? 31st, 2019. Players and team staff members will travel to Moscow for a pre-tournament camp from August 16th ? 22nd prior to the tournament.
?I think the tournament will be a tremendous experience,” said Alex Young. “For me, both participating in international competition as well as experiencing the Russian culture is really exciting.?
The 18-year-old Forward from Calgary who is committed to Colgate University for the 2020-21 season is entering his 3rd season with the Eagles. Last season, Young lead the team in points with 74 and for goals with 34 and he also finished 4th in the AJHL scoring race.
?I think it is a huge opportunity for me and Alex and I am honoured to be a part of the team,” said Max Giangualano. “I?m very excited to play in Russia.?
Giangualano who will be turning 19 towards the very end of the calendar year (December 29) is also entering his 3rd season with the Eagles. In his Sophomore season in 2018-19, the Forward from Calgary enjoyed a breakout season with 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points in 54 games.
?I think it?s a great opportunity for both of them,? said Eagles Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. ?They have played well for the past few seasons and earned this opportunity. I hope they both really enjoy the experience. It will be neat for them to play against some international players and see how they stack up.?
Young and Giangualano are not the only members of the Canmore Eagles organization to go to Russia for that tournament. Eagles? athletic trainer Megan Hansen was selected as the Athletic Therapist for the AJHL team.
The Eagles are among the 9 AJHL teams to have at least 1 player selected to play in that tournament. The Head Coaches will be Rick Swan of the Bonnyville Pontiacs and Boris Rybalka of the Camrose Kodiaks.
