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Tanner Howe goes down the flyby after netting an assist in a 14-0 win versus Switzerland in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on July 31, 2022. (Erica Perreaux/Hockey Canada Images)
WHL Talent

Prince Albert’s Howe, Naicam’s Anholt selected for Canadian Junior Summer Showcase

Jul 16, 2024 | 7:00 PM

More than 50 Western Hockey League players have been named to Canada’s Program of Excellence summer camps.

Of the more than 50 (52 to be exact), 16 of those players are set to participate in a National Junior Team Summer Showcase, which includes Prince Albert native Tanner Howe.

Howe was the captain of the Regina Pats this past season, putting up 77 points in 68 games.

The 18-year-old forward also just signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins this past week, after being selected with the 46th overall pick in the draft.

The Summer Showcase will serve as a tryout for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held in Ottawa, Ont. from Dec. 26, 2024 to Jan.5, 2025.

Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase begins with training camp on July 28 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ont., before moving south of the border to Plymouth, Mich. for games running from Aug. 1-3.

This won’t be the first time Howe has competed on a national stage, as he won gold in the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Other WHL players on this year’s Summer Showcase roster include four top-10 selections from this year’s draft in Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus 4th), Tij Iginla (Utah 6th), Carter Yakemchuk (Ottawa 7th) and Berkly Catton (Seattle 8th).

As for the coaches and management, Naicam’s own Peter Anholt was responsible for selecting said players, alongside longtime Chicago Blackhawk defenceman Brent Seabrook.

Anholt is the current general manager for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and was previously named the general manager for the 2024 World Junior Team.

The 63-year-old also had a playing career with the Prince Albert Raiders and University of Saskatchewan Huskies, before coming back to coach the Raiders, among a variety of other teams and roles.

The remaining WHL players will be split between 13 players who will challenge for roster spots at Canada’s U18 Team Selection Camp, and 23 players and prospects who are invited to Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp.

The 13 will battle for a chance to represent the Maple Leaf at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alta. from Aug. 5-10. The selection camp is set for July 27-30 at the WinSport Event Centre in Calgary and the event will feature intra-squad games on July 29 and 30.

As for the 23 U17 players, they will hit the ice at Joshua’s Creek Arenas in Oakville, Ont. from July 18-24.

A total of 80 athletes have been drafted by Canadian Hockey League clubs, while a select few have already made their CHL debut.

Three of those draft picks include future PA Raiders in Daxon Rudolph, Riley Boychuk, and Ty Meunier.

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8

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