Meadow Park is playing host to 44 of the best junior hockey players in Canada this week as they go head to head for one of the 22 coveted roster spots on Canadas National Junior Team.
Sidney Crosby, who was originally scheduled to attend the camp, will no longer be participating. The first overall draft pick is attending the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect orientation camp instead and is not expected to be wearing a Team Canada jersey for the World Junior Championships in Vancouver in December.
Crosby has been replaced by Steve Downie, a member of the OHLs Windsor Spitfires. Downie, who describes himself as an "emotional, heart and soul" player was the Philadelphia Flyers first round selection at 29 th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. A rugged, character player, Downie has received some high praise from Flyers General Manager Bob Clarke. "The way he plays is the way he is," Clarke said to the Associated Press. "Hes an aggressive, hard-nosed player and hes tough. What I liked about him is hes humble; theres no ego. Hes the kind of kid you want in your locker-room."
Whether or not Downie will make it into the Team Canada dressing room come December remains to be seen, but those interested can get a look at him and the rest of the camp attendees this week.
Schedule for Whistler Development Camp
Wednesday, Aug. 10
18:00-19:00 Team Red Practice
19:15-20:15 Team White Practice
Thursday, Aug. 11
9:00-10:30 Team White Practice
10:45-12:15 Team Red Practice
14:15-15:30 Team White Practice
15:45-17:00 Team Red Practice
Friday, Aug. 12
9:00-10:30 Team Red Practice
10:45-12:15 Team White Practice
17:20 Warm Up
18:00-20:30 Intrasquad Game #1
Saturday, Aug. 13
9:00-10:30 Team White Practice
10:45-12:15 Team Red Practice
17:20 Warm Up
18:00-20:30 Intrasquad Game #2
Sunday, Aug. 14
9:30-11:00 Team Red Practice
11:45-13:15 Team White Practice