Three QMJHL players named to Canada U-18 roster

Goaltender Brandon Whitney of the Victoriaville Tigres and forwards William Carrier of the Cape-Breton Screaming Eagles, and Anthony Mantha of the Val-d'Or Foreurs were named to Canada's entry for the upcoming IIHF World Under-18 championship, to be held April 12-22 in Brno and Znojmo, Czech Republic.

Whitney, draft eligible this year, had a very solid season, with a record of 22-4-4 and a .896 save per centage. He will battle Spencer Martin of the Mississauga St Michael's Majors and Matt Murray of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds for the starters job.

Carrier, an offensive center in Cape Breton, will be asked to step up not only offensively. but as leader as well, being one of the older players on the roster. He stepped up big for the Screaming Eagles in this years playoffs against the overpowering Saint John Sea Dogs, registering three goals and three assists while being swept in the first round.

Meanwhile, Mantha, Val d'Or's big winger. will be expected to use his size (6-3, 178-pounds) to overpower the opposition. Team Canada assistant coach Gordie Dwyer, of the P.E.I. Rocket, really likes big, strong players, so expect Mantha to be an unsung hero on this years squad.

First up for Team Canada is Denmark on April 12. They will also play the Czech Republic, Finland, and of course their biggest rivals the United States in the preliminary round.

TSN/RDS will broadcast the Canada versus U.S.A. game on April 17, as well as the semifinals April 20 and the medal games on April 22.

jonathan@theqspot.ca