Federkow invited to Team Canada camp
It has been an amazing couple of months for Connor Federkow.
The 15-year-old St. Catharines native, who was chosen by the London Knights in the third round of the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection in April, will now will get a chance to participate at Canada’s national under-17 development camp.
Federkow was one of 112 players, including 46 OHL prospects, invited by Hockey Canada to Calgary to participate in the camp, taking place July 19-26 at the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park.
Federkow was overwhelmed when he received the call informing him he was one of 12 defencemen invited to the camp.
“It’s going to be an honour,” he said. “The OHL draft is one thing, but to represent your country is mind blowing. It’s the top (level) you can go to. It’s just an honour to get picked to go to the tryout.”
Federkow, who played for the Niagara North Stars last season, is eager to see where he stacks up among Canada’s best under 17 players.
“I think going there and playing against kids who deserve to be there is just going to make me realize what I need to do and how I’m going to have to improve to get to where I want to be in the future,” said Federkow, who will celebrate his 16th birthday at the camp. “These kids are going to help me with their skills, which is going to boost my skills keeping up with them for the week that I go.”
Federkow is well aware how intense the competition will be.
“I just have to stay focused and train and be ready for the competition and give it your all,” he said. “You can’t go out and think it’s going to be easy and I’m going to make it.
“You have to go out and think it’s my time to show what I can do and I’m going show it.”
During the week-long camp, the players – 12 goaltenders, 36 defencemen and 64 forwards – will be split into six teams for on- and off-ice training, fitness testing, games and classroom studies.
Brad McEwen, head scout for the Program of Excellence, and POE management group representative Martin Mondou, built the roster with assistance from regional scouts from across the country.
“The national under-17 development camp is the first step these athletes take in their Team Canada career,” said Shawn Bullock, director of men’s national teams. “Ultimately, these players will learn what it takes to wear the Maple Leaf in international competition.
“We are here to support their development by providing the on- and off-ice experiences they need to achieve the dream of representing their country.”
Federkow still seems a bit in awe of what has transpired to him in the last couple of months.
“It’s always been a dream since I was a kid but I never thought all of this would come true,” he said. “My head has been spinning. I can’t believe this is happening now.”
Federkow, who attended St. Francis Secondary School, plans to move to the London area and attend Blyth Academy and either play for the Knights or the London Nationals junior B team.
Niagara IceDogs goaltending prospect Josh Rosenzweig and 2019 first-round selection Isaac Enright were also invited.
Following camp, players will be monitored through the early weeks of the 2019-20 season before 66 are named to one of three Canadian teams – Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red and Team Canada White – competing at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, scheduled for Nov. 2-9 in Medicine Hat, Alta., and Swift Current, Sask.
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