TRURO, N.S. – The final rosters for both Canada East and Canada West have been released, and both teams feature a few returning faces.
As the World Junior A Challenge nears, both teams have completed their tryout camps and have selected 22 players each from across the country.
Representing the Maritime Hockey League for Canada East is Francis Thibeault, a defenceman for the Campbellton Tigers, and Logan Johnston, a forward for the Edmundston Blizzard.
Johnston, along with four other players on the team, played for Canada East last year in Bonneyville, Alta., and helped the team earn a silver medal.
Joining Johnston from last year’s team are Finn Evans of the Ottawa Junior Senators, Aiden Girduckis and Tim Theocharidis of the Carleton Place Canadians and Jack McBain of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.
Canada West also has returning faces in their lineup, including Riese Gaber of the Steinbach Pistons, Kyle Johnson of the Prince George Spruce Kings, Carter Turnbull of the Powell River Kings and Jonny Tychonick of the Penticton Vees.
Both Canada East and West will hit the ice Sunday, Dec. 10, with Canada West playing Czech Republic at 3:30 p.m. and Canada East playing Russia at 7:30 p.m. at the Rath-Eastlink Community Centre.
Truro Bearcats head coach Shawn Evans is an assistant coach of Canada East.