Three former Burnaby-based hockey players were named to the Team Pacific roster for the upcoming World under-17 Hockey Challenge in the new year.
Burnaby Winter Club product Anthony Ast joined Western Hockey League Vancouver Giants teammate Jackson Houck on the 22-player roster. The two major junior forwards were named along with Sam Reinhart, who nows plays in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice. Houck played last season on the Northwest Giants with Reinhart.
Former Team Pacific grads include Edmonton Oilers first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2010 and Joe Sakic in 1986.
The u-17 world tournament will be held in Windsor, Ont. from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4.
ALL-ACADEMICS
Simon Fraser University cross-country runners Madeline Barker and James Young had the highest grade-point averages in the Great Northwest conference this season.
Barker led the women's side with a 4.23 GPA, while Young topped the conference with a 3.95 average score among the men on the NCAA Division II all academic team. Brianna Kane and Kirsten Allen were also named to the all academic conference team.
CONFERENCE AS'S
SFU goalkeeper Amelia Ng and freshman defender Kelsey Atherley were both named to the Great Northwest conference women's all-conference soccer team.
Ng played more than 1,300 minutes this season, while posting a 1.34 goals against average and two shutouts. She finished first in the conference with 94 saves and in saves per game. She was fourth in save percentage.
Atherley started in 13 of 16 matches for the Clan.
METRO GOOSE EGG
The under-17 Burnaby Royals blanked West Vancouver 2-0 in recent Metro Soccer League boys' soccer. Matthew Shannik scored the opening goal and assisted on Eli Oleynick's late insurance marker.
The u-18 Burnaby Selects moved into second place with a 2-2 draw against Surrey.