The 17-year-old son of Andrew and Jenny Dobson of Summerside is one of seven defencemen named to Team Canada’s 22-player roster for the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from Aug. 7 to 12.
“He was pretty excited,” said Andrew on Wednesday morning. “There were a lot of ups and downs to the camp just not knowing.
“Finally getting the news that he had made the team, he was pretty excited. . . It was suspenseful and exciting.”
Hockey Canada announced the roster on Tuesday night, and Noah could not be reached for comment as the team was travelling on Wednesday.
“We’ve had a great selection camp here in Calgary, with all 44 players showing us what they’re made of,” said Team Canada head coach Brent Kisio in a Hockey Canada media release. “As a best-on-best tournament, the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup allows us to showcase the very best Canadian talent in this age group.
“We are ready to make Canadians proud with how we represent them on and off the ice.”
Click here for related story on Noah Dobson:
Sophomore season
Noah, listed as six foot two and 178 pounds, will enter his sophomore season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, and is eligible for the 2018 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
The right-handed-shooting Noah, who has a younger sister, Elly, 14, registered 26 points – seven goals and 19 assists – and 40 penalty minutes in 63 regular-season games during his rookie campaign after being drafted by the Titan in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft.
“I was pretty excited (to receive an invitation to the under-18 camp),” Noah told the Journal Pioneer in June. “It is an honour to have the chance to fight for a spot on Team Canada.”
Click here for another related story on Noah Dobson from Oct. 12, 2016:
Overall, Andrew said, the camp provided “a great experience,” whether Noah made the team or not.
“Obviously, you go in with the mindset of making the team, but there are a lot of good hockey players out there,” said Andrew. “(Noah) just had to focus on what he had to do, what he could do on the ice at the camp and not worry about any so-called white noise. . .
“I asked him what the guys were like in the room, and he said they were all quality kids. Hockey Canada runs an exceptional program, and you don’t have to worry about anything. You just have to show up do what needs to be done on and off the ice.”
Andrew noted the Dobson family is “very humbled” for Noah to have this opportunity.
“We know it takes a team for him to get there,” continued Andrew. “From his minor hockey coaches, to his trainer (Kris MacPhee), to his agency (Maloney and Thompson Sports Management), Hockey P.E.I., Summerside minor hockey and all those organizations who have played a key role in his development, we are most definitely grateful for what they have contributed.”
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Did you know
A look at 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup:
Canada has won gold 20 times in 25 years of the summer under-18 competition.
Canada will be joined by Finland, Russia and Slovakia in Group B this year. The Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland and United States comprise Group A.
Canada will meet the Czech Republic in a pre-tournament game on Aug. 5.
Canada officially opens tournament play against Russia on Aug. 7.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals on Aug. 11. The gold-medal game is scheduled for Aug. 12.
Prince Edward Islanders
Prince Edward Islanders to play for Canada’s U18 team:
2017 – Noah Dobson, Summerside.
2009 – Brandon Gormley, Murray River.
2007 – Chris Doyle, Charlottetown.
2006 – Logan MacMillan, Charlottetown.
2000 – Drew MacIntyre, Stratford.
1999 – Thatcher Bell, Guernsey Cove.
1997 – Brad Richards, Murray Harbour.
