Niagara IceDogs Forward Andrew Agozzino was named today to Ontario's 22-player roster for the upcoming 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Robert Kitamura, Team Ontario Director of Operations and Director of Central Scouting and Player Development for the OHL, headed up the selection committee along with the coaching staff. Included in that staff is IceDogs Head Coach Mario Cicchillo who will serve as an Assistant Coach for the Team Ontario Under-17 team for the next two seasons.
“This is a testament to Andrew's hard work and perseverance this season and in the years leading up to him joining the IceDogs organization” said IceDogs Head Coach Mario Cicchillo. “Personally, I am looking forward to getting a chance to show what we can do in London and I know that Andrew is very excited to be presented with this opportunity. Having the ability to work with this staff and such a talented group of players has already been a very rewarding experience for the both of us.”
This year's tournament will be played at the John Labatt Centre in London from December 29, 2007 to January 4, 2008. This international event features five regional teams competing from across Canada and five international teams from Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia and USA. Team Ontario will play in a conference against Team Pacific, Quebec, Finland and Slovakia.
Team Ontario will get things under way on December 28th with an exhibition game against Team Russia and will play their first game of the round-robin series against Team Pacific on December 29th. The bronze and gold medal games will be held January 4th, 2008.
Tickets for the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge can be purchased at the John Labatt Centre (JLC) in London, ON – phone: (866) 455-3849. For more information and the full 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge game schedule, go to www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17.
Tournament packages (includes tickets to all 13 games at JLC) $135
Medal game packages (includes both medal games) $30
Medal game tickets (individual tickets to Bronze or Gold game) $18
Individual game tickets (includes all games at JLC) $14
Individual game tickets (satellite venues) $7
Note – Tickets for individual games at one of the five satellite venues are on sale at each individual venue (Lucan Memorial Centre, Lucan, ON; Gemini Sportsplex, Strathroy, ON; Rotary Complex, Stratford, ON; Southwood Community Complex, Woodstock, ON; Timken Community Complex, St. Thomas, ON)
2008 Ontario Under-17 Team
Forwards
Andrew Agozzino (Kleinburg) Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Casey Cizikas (Mississauga) Mississauga St. Mike's Majors (OHL)
Matthew Duchene (Haliburton) Brampton Battalion (OHL)
Taylor Hall (Kingston) Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Joey Hishon (Stratford) Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Peter Holland (Caledon) Guelph Storm (OHL)
Zach Kassian (Lasalle) Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Colt Kennedy (Ajax) Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Michael Latta (St. Clements) Ottawa 67's (OHL)
Ryan Martindale (Brooklin) Ottawa 67's (OHL)
Ryan O'Reilly (Varna) Erie Otters (OHL)
Tyler Randell (Brampton) Belleville Bulls (OHL)
Ethan Werek (Goodwood) Stouffville Spirirt (OPJHL)
Defencemen
Brett Cook (Washago) Huntsville Otters (OPJHL)
David Corrente (Mississauga) Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Taylor Doherty (Cambridge) Kingston Frontenacs (OHL
Ryan Ellis (Hamilton) Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Brett Flemming (Burlington) Mississauga St. Mike's Majors (OHL)
Peter Hermengildo (Thornhill) Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Daniel Maggio (Lasalle) Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Goaltenders
Bryce O'Hagen (Burlington) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Michael Zador (Toronto) London Knights (OHL)
2007-08 TEAM ONTARIO PERSONNEL
Director of Operations - Robert Kitamura (Hamilton) OHL Central Scouting
Head Coach - Jason Brooks (Listowel) Guelph Storm (OHL)
Assistant Coach - Jake Grimes (Belleville) Belleville Bulls (OHL)
Assistant Coach - Mario Cichillo (St. Catharines) Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Head Trainer - Shane Mabey (Guelph) Guelph Storm (OHL)
Equipment Manager - Doug Robertson (Guelph) Guelph Storm (OHL)
Assistant to the Director - Victor Carneiro (Toronto) London Knights(OHL)
