WHL Announces Rosters for Team Alberta and Team Saskatchewan at the 2005 Centennial Hockey Challenge
Mar
17
By Western Hockey League
CALGARY, Alta. – Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, today announced the players representing Team Alberta and Team Saskatchewan for the upcoming 2005 Centennial Hockey Challenge in Lloydminster, Alberta, on Thursday, April 14, at the Lloydminster Civic Centre. Game time is 7:00 PM MT.
Team Alberta is led by Shawn Belle (Edmonton, AB) of the Tri-City Americans, who has earned Gold (2005) and Silver (2004) medals with Team Canada in the last two IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. Belle, a first-round NHL draft pick in 2003 (St. Louis Blues/traded to Dallas, 30th overall), is joined on defense by three other NHL first-rounders from 2004: Mark Fistric (Edmonton, AB) of the Vancouver Giants (Dallas Stars, 28th overall), Mike Green (Calgary, AB) of the Saskatoon Blades (Washington Capitals, 29th overall), and Andy Rogers (Calgary, AB) of the Prince George Cougars (Tampa Bay Lightning, 30th overall).
Team Saskatchewan is led by Saskatoon Blade sniper Ryan Keller (Saskatoon, SK), who has been the Blades’ top scorer for the past two seasons. Joining him are WHL veterans Dan Da Silva (Saskatoon, SK) of the Portland Winterhawks, Chris Neiszner (Craik, SK) of the Red Deer Rebels, and Logan Stephenson (Outlook, SK) of the Tri-City Americans.
Team Alberta’s General Manager and Head Coach, Dean Clark, also announced that Lloydminster native Lee Zalasky will captain the team. Assistant captains will be defensemen Brennan Chapman and Lenny Thunderchild, both from Lloydminster, Alberta.
Similarly, Team Saskatchewan’s General Manager and Head Coach, Lorne Molleken, announced that Ryan Keller will captain Team Saskatchewan, with Chris Neiszner and Aaron Richards (Saskatoon, SK) of the Kamloops Blazers serving as assistant captains.
The game will be broadcast live on CBC Television and CBC Radio in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
This event is sanctioned by the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Hockey Alberta. Proceeds will support the WHL Education Fund, the Hockey Alberta Foundation, and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association Legacy Fund.
Team Alberta
Forwards
| Player | Hometown | WHL Team |
|---|---|---|
| Kris Versteeg | Lethbridge, AB | Lethbridge |
| Tyler Johnson | Breton, AB | Red Deer |
| Brian Woolger | Edmonton, AB | Portland |
| Alex Aldred | St. Albert, AB | Portland |
| Ian McDonald | Edmonton, AB | Tri-Cities |
| Kyle Pess | Red Deer, AB | Lethbridge |
| Lee Zalasky | Lloydminster, AB | Prince George/Calgary |
| Jonathan Filewich | Sherwood Park, AB | Lethbridge |
| Wacey Rabbit | Calgary, AB | Saskatoon |
| Marc Connors | Okotoks, AB | Tri-Cities |
| Joel Henituik | Spruce Grove, AB | Red Deer |
| Kyle Bailey | Ponoka, AB | Portland |
Defence
| Player | Hometown | 04-05 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Fistric | Edmonton, AB | Vancouver |
| Brennan Chapman | Lloydminster, AB | Lethbridge |
| Andy Rogers | Calgary, AB | Prince George/Calgary |
| Mike Green | Calgary, AB | Saskatoon |
| Lenny Thunderchild | Lloydminster, AB | Lethbridge |
| Shawn Belle | Edmonton, AB | Tri-Cities |
Goaltenders
| Player | Hometown | 04-05 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Devan Dubnyk | Calgary, AB | Kamloops |
| Kyle Moir | Calgary, AB | Swift Current |
Team Saskatchewan
Forwards
| Player | Hometown | WHL Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shaun Vey | Wakaw, SK | Tri-Cities |
| Justin Scott | Yorkton, SK | Moose Jaw |
| Blair Jones | Craik, SK | Moose Jaw/Red Deer |
| Aaron Richards | Saskatoon, SK | Kamloops/Moose Jaw |
| Brennen Wray | Moose Jaw, SK | Moose Jaw |
| Luke Hunter | Shaunavon, SK | Swift Current |
| Dan Da Silva | Saskatoon, SK | Portland |
| Jon Bubnick | Saskatoon, SK | Regina |
| Carter Smith | Eyebrow, SK | Moose Jaw |
| Brett Parker | Melville, SK | Prince George |
| Chris Neiszner | Craik, SK | Red Deer |
| Ryan Keller | Saskatoon, SK | Saskatoon |
Defence
| Player | Hometown | 04-05 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Park | Lumsden, SK | Moose Jaw |
| Shane Gimas | Weeks, SK | Tri-Cities |
| Jason Fransoo | North Battleford, SK | Swift Current |
| Joe Logan | Gull Lake, SK | Spokane/Vancouver |
| Paul Albers | Melville, SK | Vancouver/Regina |
| Logan Stephenson | Outlook, SK | Tri-Cities |
Goaltenders
| Player | Hometown | 04-05 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Russel Monette | Neville, SK | Saskatoon |
| Josh Lepp | Dalmeny, SK | Moose Jaw |
