Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph (shown) and forward Riley Boychuk will represent Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge in Sarina, Ont. next month. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

International Spotlight

Rudolph, Boychuk named to Canada White at 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge

Oct 10, 2024 | 12:59 PM

A pair of Prince Albert Raiders freshmen are set to don the maple leaf at the 2024 U17 World Challenge next month.

Defenceman Daxon Rudolph and forward Riley Boychuk were two of 44 players selected to represent Canada White and Canada Red at the tournament, with both rookies being named to Canada White.

The two were drafted in 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Rudolph was taken with the first overall pick while Boychuk was taken right behind him at second overall. Both 16-year-old has tallied two points in six games.

The rosters were selected by U17 head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB) and Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations. Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations also provided input, along with regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), as well as member representatives.

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All 44 players have been drafted by Canadian Hockey League (CHL) teams (21 from the OHL, 15 from the WHL and eight from the QMJHL), while 15 represented Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, including Rudolph.

“Following a competitive summer camp and exciting start to the CHL season, we are thrilled to unveil the 44 athletes that will take the next step in the Program of Excellence and represent Canada at the U17 World Challenge,” Roy said. “We believe we have assembled two strong teams that will give us the best chance to defend our gold medal, and we know all 44 players are excited to wear the Maple Leaf with Canada Red and Canada White in Sarnia next month.”

The 2024 U17 World Challenge runs from Nov. 3-9 at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia, Ontario. Canada White will kick off their run on Nov. 3 against Czechia at 1:30 p.m., while Canada Red will face off versus Finland at 5:30 p.m.

– with files from Hockey Canada

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com