Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

IN THE WHL

Finnie to use Team Canada snub as motivation; Brunicke hopes for selection camp health; Koci gets Czechia invite

Dec 2, 2024 | 7:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers’ forward Emmitt Finnie expressed disappointment with being excluded from Team Canada’s selection camp roster on Monday (Dec. 2) ahead of the World Junior Hockey Championship, which gets underway on Boxing Day in Ottawa.

“I’m definitely going to use this as a bit of motivation,” said Finnie, the 19-year-old Detroit Red Wings’ prospect who leads the Blazers in points (37), goals (17) and assists (20).

“We’ve got a couple games before Christmas we need to win, so I’m going to use it toward that.”

Meanwhile, Blazers’ defencemen Harrison Brunicke and Matteo Koci received invites to their respective national team camps on Monday.

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Brunicke suffered a wrist fracture on Nov. 10 and it remains to be seen whether it heals in time for him to compete at the Canadian selection camp, which runs from Dec. 10 to Dec. 13 in Ottawa.

He said he plans to fly to Pittsburgh to skate with his NHL club, the Penguins, and hopes to be ready to jostle for the chance to don the Maple Leaf.

“I was a little surprised with Harrison,” Blazers’ associate coach Don Hay said. “He’s been hurt. I know there was lots of talk last time they [Hockey Canada] were here, how they liked him. I didn’t know if the injury would put him behind the 8-ball, so to speak. But if he can get healthy and be competitive during their camp, that’s a really good sign and good for him.”

Koci won bronze with Czechia at the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship and has been invited to his country’s selection camp ahead of the 2025 tournament.

Blazers’ goaltending coach Dan De Palma is Team Canada’s goaltending consultant.

“I’m just absolutely honoured,” De Palma said. “I’ve watched this tournament since I was a little boy, like everybody else, and always dreamed of being a part of it. I never made it as a player, but here we are as a coach.”

Kamloops is scheduled to play the Cougars on Dec. 7 in Prince George. Players who attend national team selection camps will leave the WHL club after that contest.

The world juniors are slated to wrap up on Jan. 5, with the Blazers’ first tilt after the tournament slated for Jan. 10 against Vancouver at Sandman Centre.

“I know I was really pushing for Emmitt,” Hay said. “I phoned Mike Johnston, the assistant coach [for Canada], and kept saying Emmitt’s been the best player I’ve seen in the West, as far as forwards.

“He’s put on a great first half. He’s done everything he can to get noticed. He shouldn’t be ashamed. He was right there.”

EXTRA FRAME

Sawyer Mynio of Kamloops has been invited to Canada’s selection camp.

The Seattle Thunderbirds’ defenceman is a Vancouver Canucks’ prospect.