Junior hockey prospects vie for attention

Almost four dozen of Canada's best young hockey players have arrived in St. John's, eager to make a case for earning a berth on Canada's next national junior team.

The four-day development camp will be an important proving ground for the 46 invited players, who will train at Mile One Centre in downtown St. John's. One more such camp will be held before the team is picked for the World Junior Hockey Championship later this year.

Contenders like Louis Leblanc, a first-round draft pick for the Montreal Canadiens, say they are eager to prove they belong on Team Canada.

"It's a great honour, you know — you're representing your country with the best group of kids our age," Leblanc told CBC News after arriving Tuesday night in St. John's.

Also participating is Tyler Seguin of the Boston Bruins, the second overall pick in the NHL entry draft.

One player who is not participating is Taylor Hall, the NHL's No. 1 pick. Scott Salmond, Canada's national team senior director, said that news was disappointing but understandable.

"He felt, and his people felt, and the Edmonton Oilers felt, that he was best served to take some time off, regenerate and recoup and build toward the NHL season," Salmond said.

Practices at the camp are open to the public. Tickets for intersquad games, which are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, go on sale on Thursday.