Two of the Vancouver Giants’ top players will soon be part of a storied international rivalry.
Forwards Tyler Benson and Ty Ronning have been named to Team WHL for the upcoming 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series.
Benson and Ronning will play alongside other top players from around the Western Hockey League against Team Russia on Monday, Nov. 7, in Prince George and Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Edmonton.
Benson, the Giants’ captain and an Edmonton Oilers second round pick, has scored five goals and five assists in eight games this season while Ronning, who went to the New York Rangers in the seventh round, has snagged five goals and six assists in 10 games.
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The Ontario Hockey League will host Games 3 and 4, while the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will welcome the festivities surrounding Games 5 and 6.
Team WHL’s roster is laced with NHL prospects yet again this season, including 10 players who were selected in the first two rounds of the NHL Draft.
Highly-touted 2017 NHL Draft prospects Nolan Patrick (Brandon Wheat Kings/Winnipeg, Man.) and Cal Foote (Kelowna Rockets/Engelwood, Colo.) also cracked the roster for Team WHL as players look to move closer to earning a spot on Team Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship in December.
Prince George Cougars forward Jansen Harkins, a second round pick of the Winnipeg Jets, will have the opportunity to suit up for Team WHL in front of a hometown crowd when the series opens in Prince George on November 7th.
When the series shifts to Edmonton Nov. 8, five local players will suit up against Team Russia including Benson.
Giorgio Estephan (Lethbridge Hurricanes/Edmonton, Alta.), Sam Steel (Regina Pats/Sherwood Park, Alta.), Brendan Guhle (Prince Albert Raiders/Sherwood Park, Alta.) and Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips/Sherwood Park, Alta.) will also have the opportunity to take to the ice in front of family and friends.