The six-foot-two, 150-pound defenceman helped his Juan de Fuca Grizzlies to a provincial Bantam Tier 2 title and will extend his hockey season as one of 19 Vancouver Island products to compete at the prestigious Under-16 sa国际传媒 Cup. The tournament begins today in Salmon Arm where Western Hockey League scouts will keep a close eye on proceedings as the May 2 bantam draft fast approaches.
DeJong 鈥� whose older brother Nolan enjoyed a successful season with the Victoria Grizzlies of the sa国际传媒 Hockey League and is headed to the University of Michigan next season 鈥� joins Juan de Fuca teammate Cameron Coutre on Team Flyers, one of eight teams competing over the next four days.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about it,鈥� said the younger DeJong, an assistant captain with the triumphant Juan de Fuca team. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a fun year. Our team won pretty much all it could win, which is always fun.鈥�
The Grizzlies were 4-0-1 at provincials and defeated Langley 4-3 in double overtime in the semifinal on March 20 and then edged out West Kelowna 3-2 in overtime in the championship game later that night as Tyler Preziuso scored all three goals for coach Kelly Shields鈥� team.
鈥淚t was a battle,鈥� said DeJong, who recently turned 15 and describes himself as a defenceman with offensive upside. 鈥淭he [upcoming WHL] draft part is exciting. The WHL can be a route I could take, but I do want to go NCAA. I鈥檇 like to work towards a scholarship and go from there.鈥�
Dawson Haines of Duncan joins DeJong and Coutre on Team Flyers.
Others participating in the sa国际传媒 Cup are forwards Carter Turnbull of Nanaimo and Dale McCabe (Victoria) on Team Avalanche; goaltender John Hawthorne (Chemainus), defenceman Josh Anderson (Duncan) and forward Kayden Peck (Victoria) on Team Bruins; defenceman Matthew Forbes (Victoria) and Cole Gardner (View Royal) on Team Canucks; forwards Matteo Giomo (Courtenay) and Parker Ellis (Victoria) on Team Kings; goalie Dylan Ferguson (Lantzville), defenceman Ryan Warner (Victoria) and forward Sage Lim (Campbell River) on Team Sabres; Brendan Hoff (Campbell River) on Team Stars; and defenceman Dylan Coghlan (Nanaimo), and forwards Ryan Hogg (Duncan) and J. Liam Nijhoff (Comox) on Team Wild.
Former Victoria Salmon King Ryan Wade will coach Team Wild and South Island Royals coach Geoff Grimwood is an assistant on Team Bruins.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a pretty good group of talented South Island kids there,鈥� said Grimwood. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good chance to see them all.鈥�
The teams were selected from the four regional camps that were held over the past two weekends across the province. According to sa国际传媒 Hockey, the objective of the U-16 program is to enhance the overall performance of sa国际传媒 athletes, coaches and officials in high level sporting events.
Some notable players who have participated in the U-16 sa国际传媒 Cup include Brent Seabrook, now of the Chicago Blackhawks; Brandon McMillan (Anaheim Ducks); and Brett Connolly (Tampa Bay Lightning).
Players advancing from the sa国际传媒 Cup will attend the U-16 provincial camp, slated for July 10-14 in Nanaimo.
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