Caedan Bankier made the 22-man Canadian world junior roster (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)

By Chad Klassen

WORLD JUNIORS

Bankier’s hot start earns him spot on Team Canada, to play a checking role at world juniors

Dec 16, 2022 | 4:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Caedan Bankier’s start to the season in Kamloops — hitting the 20-goal mark a third of the way through the year — earned him a spot at the World Junior Selection Camp last week.

Going into the camp, Bankier needed to have a good showing to have a chance — and he did — making the 22-man roster.

“Yeah it was super surreal,” said the Blazers forward when he got the call that he had made the team. “You dream of getting the opportunity to play at the world juniors. You grow up watching all these amazing NHL stars right now that have played in the tournament. To be getting a chance and doing it, I don’t know if it’s fully hit me yet.”

He scored a goal in the first game against the USPORTS All-Stars. In a rematch the next day, Bankier added two assists to cement his place on the team.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: John Rustad's big gamble

16h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Eby could learn something from Horgan, who bridged the ideological divide between urban and rural B.C.

Nov 22, 2024

B100's Basics for Babies

B-100's Basics for Babies 2024

Nov 22, 2024

“I was kind of on the bubble. I didn’t really know if they had a guy like me and I wanted to come in and show them I could be the missing piece that they could need to potentially win a gold medal,” noted Bankier. “So when it came time for the games, I just tried to keep it super simple and just play the game that’s been making me very successful so far early in this season. I was happy with my showings.”

Bankier says he’ll be likely be thrust into a checking role with Zach Ostapchuk from the Vancouver Giants and Reid Schaffer from the Seattle Thunderbirds.

“Kind of a bigger line. I figure we’re going to probably be the line that goes out there and brings some energy and attacks the game — kind of like my first year in Kamloops with [Daylan] Kuefler and [Matthew] Seminoff. I’m used to that role and I’m excited to be doing it again,” he said.

Whatever role he plays, he knows he’ll come back to the Blazers a better player.

“You look at the calibre of players that come through here, where their careers have gone because of the steps they’ve taken and the roles they play at this tournament, that’s what I’m looking forward to doing. I’m looking to prove to myself that I can do it and gain a little bit of confidence as well heading back to Kamloops,” said Bankier.

And he hopes to be heading back to Kamloops with a gold medal around his neck, following up on what Logan Stankoven and Dylan Garand did last year with Team Canada.

“Hearing from Stanks, his story of winning it and what it felt like for him, I guess I can really only experience it for myself. If I were to get that chance, I would be the happiest kid in the entire world. I would be on cloud nine,” said Bankier. “But it’s still a ways to go, but that’s obviously the goal and I want to reach that so bad.”