Raaymakers At Final Canadian U17 Camp

Chatham netminder Joseph Raaymakers will move even closer to a goaltending spot on one of Canada’s three entries for the 2014 World U17 Hockey Challenge. The goaltender will attend the Team Canada U17 Main Camp next week in Calgary.

Typically choosing teams by region, Canada will enter three National teams, joined by Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United States for the eight team tournament which will be held in Sarnia and Lambton Shores from November 2 to 8.

Raaymakers continue to impress scouts, and the coaching staff of his team for this coming season, the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, with his athleticism on and off the ice.

Starring for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team last season, Raaymakers was a second round pick, 35th overall, by the Soo Greyhounds in this years OHL draft, and shortly thereafter signed with the Greyhounds, who have slotted him into a roster spot for this season.

Since the World U17 Hockey Challenge was launched in 1986, the tournament has seen 14 alumni drafted first overall in the NHL draft, and has watched more than 1400 players in total drafted by NHL teams.

The final camp begins July 28 and runs through August 5, with 108 players attending for spots on three teams from across Canada.