Bertolucci closes in on Team Pacific roster spot, remains on 23-player list following provincial camp
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Luke Bertolucci of Montrose is one step closer to playing in the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ont.
The Kootenay Ice forward earned a spot on the Team Pacific shortlist following a successful B.C. Hockey U17 Provincial Camp held last month in Salmon Arm.
Bertolucci remains on the 23-player roster before B.C. Hockey makes its final decision in mid-November.
“B.C. Hockey is very excited by the quality of hockey that took place in Salmon Arm,” said Jim Dinwoodie, Team Pacific Assistant Coach.
“The players made life tough on the evaluators and staff during the camp, and that is what we challenged them to do.
“As staff, we are thrilled with the players we identified, and it is going to be a challenge selecting the 11 players that will be a part of Team Pacific.”
Bertolucci joins Ice teammate Jarrod Schaerhorn on the team. Schamerhorn, of Kelowna, is one of three goalies remaining on the team.
The short-listed players will continue to be evaluated with their club teams until mid November, following which, 11 players will be selected to join the top players from Alberta to form Team Pacific.
Last season 5’10”, 170-pound Bertolucci helped Team B.C. to a gold medal at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.
In 34 games for the Ice of the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League Bertolucci had 15 goals and 19 assists.
The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first stage of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.
Team Pacific is up against four other Canadian teams (West, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic), and five national teams (Russia, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, and United States).
In 2010, Team Pacific earned a bronze medal after defeating Quebec 5-4 in overtime.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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