Photo by Marissa Tiel
HOMEGROWN TALENT – Dylan Cozens, pictured here in his backyard rink in Whitehorse in December 2016, has been invited to a Hockey Canada U-17 Development Camp this summer, with a potential spot on a World U-17 Challenge roster up for grabs.
Dylan Cozens got the call he was waiting for as he was grocery shopping with his mom.
Dylan Cozens got the call he was waiting for as he was grocery shopping with his mom.
Walking around Wal-Mart last Friday the number finally popped up on his caller display: Hockey Canada.
The voice on the line extended him an invitation to the Hockey Canada U-17 Development Camp at the end of July in Calgary.
The 16-year-old was relieved. Five of his Yale Hockey Academy teammates had already received calls.
“I was just waiting for mine to come,” he said.
On July 21 Cozens will depart for Calgary where he will report for duty with 110 other invitees for a development camp with Hockey Canada staff.
The focus of the camp is really on developing strong athletes and hockey players said Lisa Dornan, communications director with Hockey Canada.
The players will take part in sessions both on and off the ice and play intra-squad games as well.
Cozens has had friends attend the camp in the past.
“They told me that’s it’s really hard,” he said. “They (Hockey Canada) just want to see who’s the strongest.”
The camp is an opportunity for Hockey Canada coaches and staff to look at players and help develop top talent for teams for the upcoming season.
“It’s a great opportunity for these players who are working towards earning a chance to wear the Team Canada jersey,” said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s vice-president of hockey operations and national teams.
Cozens is currently in Whitehorse for the summer. He is following a program set out for him by the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the off-season.
Cozens was drafted by the southern Alberta WHL team last year. He helped them to a deep playoff run this season and is optimistic to play full-time with them this fall.
He was the top scorer in the midget prep division in the CSSHL.
After the camp, Hockey Canada scouts and staff will follow players with their teams in the early season and make their final selections for three Team Canada (Red, White and Black) squads for the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John B.C Nov. 5 to 11.
“I’ve always wanted to represent Canada,” said Cozens. “I really want to make the team.”
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