3 Nova Scotian junior hockey players to represent Canada at world championships

A trio of Nova Scotian hockey players will be wearing Canadian jerseys at upcoming world junior hockey championship tournaments.

Defenceman Jake Furlong of Upper Tantallon survived final cuts and will be one of three Halifax Mooseheadssuiting up for Canada's world junior team when they kick off their tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, Jessica MacKinnon of Cape Sable Island andRhyah Stewart of Antigonishwere named to Canada's U18 women's team set to play at the world championships in Zug, Switzerland, early in the new year.

"This is a real honour and a privilege for me to make this team and represent the national team at this large of a stage," said Stewart. "I'm really looking forward to the whole experience."

Stewart, a 17-year-old goaltenderwho plays for the Cape Breton West Islanders in the all-male Nova Scotia U18 hockey league, was one of three goalies selected to play for Canada.

In a pre-season game, she suited up for the Cape Breton Eagles and stopped all 24 shots she faced in her QMJHL debut.

MacKinnon, 17,is a small speedy forward, standingfivefeet five inches tall, who has always impressed coaches with her effort on the ice.

"I've always said that if I work hard and do my very best then I can't have any regrets," said MacKinnon. "I just always have to do what I can, given the size that I am."

This tournament will be the first time both athletes play overseas, despite taking different paths in their hockey careers to get there.

While Stewart stayed in Nova Scotia to play in a high-level boys league, MacKinnon opted to leave the province and play for the Ridley College girls team in St. Catharines, Ont.

Both players have committed to NCAA Division 1 schools next year, with Stewart choosingthe University of Wisconsin and MacKinnonattendingClarkson University in Upstate New York.

The two players were key contributors to Nova Scotia's girls hockey team winning silver at the Canada Winter Gamesin Prince Edward Island last winter. It was the highest finish ever for a Nova Scotia girls team.

3 Mooseheadsnamed to world juniors team

The World Junior Hockey Championshipis acornerstone eventfor the International Ice Hockey Federation, and when Team Canada steps on the iceto defend the title they won in Halifax one year ago, Upper Tantallon defenceman Jake Furlong will be there.

Furlong, along with Halifax Mooseheads teammates Jordan Dumais and goaltender Mathis Rousseau, were named to the team during final cuts at training camp Wednesday evening.

It's the first time in Mooseheads franchise history that three players in one year have been named to Team Canada. The Victoriaville Tigresin 1988 and Val-d'Or Foreursin 1989 are the only other QMJHL teams that have had three selections in one year.

Furlong, 19, was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL entry draft.

In three-and-a-half seasons with Halifax, Furlong has gained a good reputation for his solid defensive play, but at the Team Canada selection camp he scored two goals in the teams first scrimmage game against a U Sports All-Stars team.

Team Canada is wasting little time as they are flying to Europe Thursday where they will continue to train together before playing a series of exhibition games leading up to their first game of the tournamentagainst Finland on Boxing Day.

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