Jakob Chychrun and Jordan Kyrou

At a Press Conference held at the Hive Bar & Grill this afternoon, Hockey Canada announced the rosters for the upcoming U17 World Hockey Challenge, to be held in Sarnia at the end of the month. Among the 66 players selected, Sarnia Sting rookies, Jakob Chychrun and Jordan Kyrou will represent Canada.

Chychrun, who dawned the Maple Leaf in last year’s U17 tournament, will make his second appearance this year in front of fans at the RBC Centre in Sarnia.

"This is something special for sure." Chychrun said "This is the first year with the new hockey Canada format having three teams instead of five, it's going to be a big year for hockey. On of Canada's three teams is expected to win so there is a lot of expectations but we're ready for them."

Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Head Scout, Ryan Jankowski comments on Chychrun’s return. “Jakob showed this summer that he’s amongst the elite players in the country. His leadership [and] everything he does off the ice is professional.”

Jordan Kyrou, who was not initially invited to Camp this summer, will join teammate Jakob Chychrun at his first U17 World Hockey Challenge.

"I was just blown away, really excited." Kyrou said "I worked really hard over the summer to try and make the U17 team because I didn't get invited to the camp so I was just determined to work twice as hard and make the team."  Kyrou had broken his wrist during the second game of U16 competition last year and because of the injury was not invited.

 Jankowski comments on Kyrou’s last minute inclusion, “Jordan, what a great story – he didn’t come to our camp, was on our radar and just fell a little bit out on the 108 list. What he showed through the exhibition and through the first weekend of the season, proved that he belongs as a part of the 66, along with how hard he worked this past summer to get over the injuries he had last year.”