A pair of North Vancouver stars are shining in the 2022 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge being played this week in Langley and Delta.
Macklin Celebrini and Carson Wetsch, both products of the North Shore Winter Club youth system, are playing for Canada in a tournament that includes three all-star teams from Canada as well as national teams from the United States, Finland, Sweden and Czechia.
Celebrini, a 16-year-old forward who plays for the Chicago Steele in the USHL, has notched a goal and an assist in five games while playing for team Canada Black in the U17 Challenge. His one goal, however, was an absolute stunner, as Celebrini went between his legs and fired top corner to score Canada Black’s lone goal in a 5-1 loss to Finland Nov. 4.
MACKLIN. CELEBRINI.🤯🚨#WorldU17 | @BCHockey_Source pic.twitter.com/pH7XZqrHzS
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) November 5, 2022
Celebrini is widely projected to be one of the top picks, potentially first overall, in the 2024 NHL entry draft.
Wetsch, a 16-year-old forward for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, is suiting up for Canada Red in the U17 Challenge. He has also picked up a goal and an assist in his team’s first four games, both points coming in a 3-0 win over Czechia, Nov. 5.
Canada Black currently sits in third place with seven points through five games, while Canada Red is fourth with five points through four games. Team U.S.A. sits atop the standings so far with a perfect 5-0 record.
Preliminary round action wraps up Friday. The top two teams will meet in the championship final Saturday at 5 p.m., while the next two teams will battle for bronze Saturday at noon. Both medal games will be played in Langley. Single game tickets start at $15, available for purchase on the Langley Events Centre website.
