Hickey Named Captain of Team WHL

The Western Hockey League announced today the captain and assistant captains for Team WHL during the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge.

Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Thomas Hickey has been named Team WHL captain for both games of the ADT Canada Russia Challenge in Swift Current and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The 19-year-old from Calgary, Alberta is playing his fourth season in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Hickey, who was selected in the 1st round – 5th overall by the Los Angeles Kings’ at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, also wears the ‘C’ for the T-Birds and is participating in his second straight ADT Canada Russia Challenge.

Zach Boychuk (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Tyler Ennis (Medicine Hat Tigers) and Dana Tyrell (Prince George Cougars) have been named as the assistant captains for Team WHL. Boychuk and Ennis are also assistant captains on their respective Clubs, while Tyrell is the Cougars team captain. All three players competed in last years’ ADT Canada Russia Challenge.

The WHL is also pleased to announce that Vancouver Giants forward Mikhail Fisenko will be joining the Russian Selects for the two ADT Canada Russia Challenge games in Saskatchewan. Fisenko, an 18-year-old from Magnitogorsk, Russia, was selected 51st overall by the Giants at the 2008 CHL Import Draft and has recorded six goals and 11 points in 22 games thus far this season.

The ADT Canada Russia Challenge is an important part of the selection process for both Russia and Canada’s National Junior Team before their final selection camps for the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships that will be hosted in Ottawa, ON. Canada has won four straight gold medals, including defeating Sweden in the 2008 tournament hosted in the Czech Republic. Canada beat Russia in the gold medal game three straight years from 2005-2007.

The ADT Canada-Russia Challenge continues on tonight in St. Catharines, Ontario as the Niagara IceDogs host game four of the series. (7:00 p.m. on Rogers Sportsnet).

The two WHL games will be hosted in the province of Saskatchewan by the Swift Current Broncos on Wednesday, November 26th and the Prince Albert Raiders on Thursday, November 27th. Game tickets are available at the Prince Albert Raiders office (306) 764-4263 and at the Swift Current Broncos office (306) 773-1509 Ext. 1.