CALGARY ALTA – At just 17 years of age, Kingston Frontenacs defenceman Erik Gudbranson can etch another national highlight to his resume after he was named one of 40 players that will be taking part in the Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp in Calgary from August 1-4. For Gudbranson, it will be the third time in less than a year that he will participate with Hockey Canada for one of its national tournaments.

Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League announced the selections on Thursday May 28th, and of the 40 players selected, 39 are from the Canadian Hockey League, with 15 of those players representing the Ontario Hockey League.

The players, born in 1992 or later, were selected by Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray, in consultation with head coach Dave Lowry (Calgary, WHL) and assistant coaches Chris DePiero (Oshawa, OHL) and Mark Holick (Kootenay, WHL). Murray evaluated these players over the course of the 2008-09 season, following them along with numerous other candidates for the program during league play, as well as at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni, B.C.

“This will be a very competitive camp with great depth at all positions,” said Murray. “I give credit to the Canadian Hockey League and all the parents, minor hockey coaches and volunteers who have helped these players get to this level.”

At the conclusion of the selections camp, which runs from August 1-4 at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, the coaching staff will select a roster of 22 players that will represent Canada at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from August 11-15.

Gudbranson is no stranger to being highly touted among national and league scouts. Since being drafted by the Frontenacs 4th overall in the 2008 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, he has made a name for himself on the national scene. Gudbranson played for the gold medal winning Ontario squad at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last January in Port Alberni B.C. In six games, he finished with 2 goals and 2 assists.

At the conclusion of the Ontario Hockey League regular season, Gudbranson played for Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Under-18 Championships in Fargo North Dakota and Moorhead Minnesota where he and his teammates, including Frontenacs forward Ethan Werek and defenceman Taylor Doherty, finished fourth in standings. Gudbranson was given a prominent role in the backend at the tournament and was on the ice for the majority of key situations. In six games, he finished with 1 goal and 3 assists to complement his +5 rating.

For more information on Canada’s national men’s teams and Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.

For more information on all player selections, visit the Ontario Hockey League website.

Photo Credit: Aaron Bell / OHL Images. With files from Aaron Bell / OHL Images / Ontario Hockey League