Nolan Allan [left] and Tyson Laventure [right] both donned the maple leaf for the first time last week as they attended Hockey Canada's Under-17 Development Camp. (facebook/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Trevor Redden with files from Jeff D'Andrea

National exposure

National camp in the books for Raider prospects

Jul 31, 2019 | 1:20 PM

A pair of Raider prospects got a taste of national-level competition in Calgary last week.

Defenceman Nolan Allan and forward Tyson Laventure, the team’s top two selections from the 2018 bantam draft, were among the 112 players invited to take part in Canada’s national under-17 development camp from July 19-26.

“That was my first Hockey Canada camp. I had been to Raider camp and midget AAA camps, but obviously that doesn’t really compare to what we did in Calgary,” said Allan, who skated in seven games with the Raiders as a 15-year-old last season after being selected third overall in the WHL bantam draft.

“It’s the best 112 under-17 kids in Canada, so it’s pretty good competition out there.”

The development camp is a step toward the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, to be held in Medicine Hat and Swift Current from Nov 2 to 9. The tournament will consist of three Canadian teams, USA, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, and Sweden.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

8h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

12h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

15h ago

Last year the Raiders were represented in the tournament by defenceman Kaiden Guhle and forward Ozzy Wiesblatt. Along with teammate Jakob Brook, the pair look to advance in the Hockey Canada system as they battle this week for a spot on Team Canada at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a showcase of the best under-18 talent in the world.

The under-17 challenge is the first opportunity for players to battle against the best players in their age group across the country, and a chance to learn what Hockey Canada is all about.

“I think the biggest thing I learned is just what it takes to wear the Maple Leaf and play on one of those teams. Learning the Canadian way, and what kind of player and person you’ve got to be,” Allan said.

With just a month remaining to Raider training camp, players like Allan and Laventure are making the most of their remaining offseason before coming to Prince Albert in an effort to make the team full-time as 16-year-olds.

Both had impressive campaigns outside of the junior ranks last year, with Allan earning honours as the league’s top defenceman and a first-team all star. The native of Davidson, SK finished the regular season with 35 points in 39 games, following that up with an impressive 21 points in 13 playoff games.

Laventure had an explosive season with OHA Edmonton Prep, scoring 24 goals and 56 points in 32 games. The Lloydminster product was the leading point producer on his team, and 13^th across the league.

At the end of their respective seasons, both Allan and Laventure were among a handful of prospects who spent time in Prince Albert, seeing firsthand what went on behind the scenes of a successful playoff run.

“I think [playing last year] will help me a lot going into the season. Especially when I went up at the end for playoffs, learning what the guys do everyday, that will help me a lot going into camp,” Allan said.

–

trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden