Logan Stankoven and Caeden Bankier will be at the world junior selection camp starting Friday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

WORLD JUNIORS

‘It was super surreal’: Blazers Bankier thrilled to join Stankoven at world junior selection camp

Dec 6, 2022 | 1:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — Putting on the Canadian jersey is something every young boy in this country dreams about, and while he hasn’t made the team, Caeden Bankier is over the moon about being invited to the World Junior Selection Camp.

“It was super surreal to get that phone call. You grow up watching the tournament and when you’re a kid you to play in it so bad,” Bankier told CFJC Today. “I was fortunate. The assistant coach called me and I was struggling to put words together, but obviously to be going with Stanks [Logan Stankoven] as well — I’ve known him for a long time — so it makes it a little more special.”

Bankier has put the Western Hockey League, and entire nation, on notice with his hot start for the Kamloops. He has 18 goals and 12 assists in 22 games, including a couple highlight-reel, spin-o-rama goals.

“Obviously I’ve got off to a good start this season. My goal coming into this year was to potentially get an invite to selection camp, so I was working towards it all summer — I had my mind pretty much made up that that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “Rewarded isn’t the right word, but it’s good to feel acknowledged.”

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Logan Stankoven, who’ll be joining Bankier at the camp Dec. 9-12, added: “Really deserving. Obviously he’s had such a great start to the season and he’s made some really special plays lately. I have full confidence in him making the team. I think what makes him such a great player is how he is off the ice too.”

Stankoven will be part of the 2023 world junior team after winning gold with Canada in August, assisting on Kent Johnson’s memorable overtime-winning goal.

He says his tournament performance, especially in the final, has elevated his profile even more this year.

“I think just the coaching staff having faith in me to put me out there in that overtime, and obviously to contribute and help set up the winning goal is huge, but I think just getting that experience and able to play in front of such a great crowd and a great atmosphere that we had in the gold-medal game hopefully learned to play in those big moments,” said Stankoven.

With 16 forwards invited, there will only be three cuts, unless players like Shane Wright and Dylan Guenther are released by their NHL teams. Bankier knows he has his work cut out for him.

“I think I’ve got to go in there and play my game and try not to be someone I’m not. There are a lot of guys who are potential locks for the team already, but there are obviously a couple spots that are open and play whatever role they need me to play,” said Bankier.