Brantford Bulldogs hopefuls join Canada’s World Juniors hockey training camp in Niagara Falls

‘Tis the season for World Juniors Hockey as the tournament kicks off next week on Boxing Day, but Canada’s National Junior team is in training-camp mode this weekend at the Gale Centre Arena in Niagara Falls.

Two Brantford Bulldogs are still in contention to make the roster and it’s coming down to the wire.

Dale Hunter, the National Junior Hockey Team head coach, offered these words of advice to his prospective roster during the training camp, “enjoy the moment right now, every practice, every game.”

Fans were able watch all the action for free, but were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support Niagara’s Food Share.

Students celebrating “Comfy Day” from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School were excited to see the players practice up close.

Some students were excited to see the players “in real life” and to see talented and competitive players in action.

“They look very competitive,” said one student, “and obviously a couple of them are going to be in the NHL.”

Brantford Bulldogs Centre Jett Luchanko plans to be one of those NHLers.

He was drafted 13th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

READ MORE: McKenna headlines Canada’s roster for world junior hockey championship

Luchanko is excited to be a part of training camp and soak up the learning experience.

“It’s a lot of fun to be out here with such great players, people and staff,” said Luchanko. “It’s fun to compete with and against them, and learn from them.”

It’s never easy as a coach to cut a player from your roster, but Hunter says there’s a special way to do it.

“No coach likes doing that — you coached, I coached — It’s not a good feeling,” Hunter said. “They want to play, but you have to go back to your club team and work hard and good things will happen.”

Montreal Canadiens fans from the ‘8os might not have been fans of then Quebec Nordiques tough-guy Dale Hunter, but now Team Canada has Hunter leading the juniors into another world hockey tournament and that means shaving the roster down — his least favourite part of the job.

Ben Danford, who plays Defence for the Brantford Bulldogs, hopes that he’s not one of them.

“I’m from a small town — when you are growing up and the big dream of playing at this level feels a lot farther away, you are in the same position as the kids,” said Danford.

All practices will be held at the Gale Centre Arena in Niagara Falls.

The last day of training camp is this Monday, when a final roster will be decided.

READ MORE: Canadian junior team adds Bulldog Vanacker to camp, Misa expected to join later