2 Newfoundlanders crack final camp for Team Canada ahead of world juniors

Zach Dean and Ryan Greene have a shot at representing Canada on the world stage this Christmas.

The two Newfoundlanders have been invited to Team Canada's selection camp a list of 29 players officials will whittledown to a final roster of 23by Monday.

Greene, 19, was raised in Paradise and was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks57th overall this past summer.Dean was born in Grande Prairie, Alta., but was raised in Mount Pearl and has deep roots in Botwood. He was drafted 30th overall in 2021 by the Vegas Golden Knights.

While their careers have taken them to different countries over the last fiveseasons, both players spent their bantam years withthe TriCom Thunder, finishing first and second in scoring in 2017-18.

Canada has a deep talent pool this year, featuring Connor Bedard the projected first pick at next summer's NHL entry draft among10 returning players from the team that captured gold at the last world junior men's hockey championship.

If both Newfoundlanders can make the final roster, it would be the second time the province has hadtwo representatives in two years. Alex Newhook and Dawson Mercer played for Canada in 2020-2021, winning silver.

Dean, playing with the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, has 35 points in26 games. Greene, playing for Boston Universityin the NCAA, has 14 points through his first 14 games as a freshman.

Greene spoke with CBC News after being drafted by the Blackhawks in July, when he'd been invited to Hockey Canada's summer camp.

"I've never been able to represent my country like that in any way," he said. "Guys like Alexand Dawson have done the same thing, so it was pretty cool to get that phone call."

This tournament will be played under difficult circumstances, as the provincial leaders representing host cities Halifax and Monctonconsidered pulling the plug on the event during adisastrous summerfor thescandal-plaguedHockey Canada.

It's the first time the tournamentwill be played in Halifax since 2003 an event that police are now investigating after sexual assault allegations surfaced againstseveralCanadian players.

Many of the tournament's largest sponsors also stepped away from this year's tournament, citing Hockey Canada's response to allegations of sexual assault and systemic failures.Hockey Canada announced in Octoberits CEO and board of directorswould step aside.

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