Receiving Call From Hockey Canada Surreal Moment For Brady Stonehouse

“When I got the call that I had been invited it was a surreal feeling. It has been a dream of mine to play for Team Canada.”

Those were the words of Blenheim’s Brady Stonehouse after receiving his call from Hockey Canada inviting him to participate in Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp.

Despite the thrill, it is a different year due to COVID-19, as there will be no in person, or on ice component to this year’s camp, and the World U17 Hockey Challenge has been cancelled.

 “Without having any on ice components to the U17 camp and there not being the U17 Challenge, I’ll show Hockey Canada why I belong there by working hard every day on and off the ice, competing, getting better as a person and always giving it my best.”

Stonehouse, who grew up playing for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones, spent last season with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, before becoming the 26th overall pick of the Ottawa 67s in this year’s OHL Draft.

Despite the virtual format, Stonehouse is hoping he can gain as much from the experience as possible.

“What I am hoping to take away from the online learning opportunity is gaining valuable information that will help make me better as a person and my hockey career in the future.”

Whenever he does return to game action, Stonehouse is excited to make an immediate impact with his new team, which is why he’s been working hard this offseason. 

“This offseason I have been training everyday, working on my hands and shot. I’ve been on the ice for almost a month now so that has been good.  I was receiving workouts from Ottawa, and now working out with Colin Roeszler online through Athletes Fuel.  I haven’t been working out in a group so I’m just pushing myself harder and harder to reach my goals.”

The Hockey Canada U17 National Development Camp takes place from July 19-25.