Eakin, Howden make national junior team

December 15, 2010

Cody Eakin of Winnipeg and Quinton Howden of Oakbank were both selected to Canada’s 2011 national junior hockey team as Hockey Canada made the roster announcement today.

Eakin, a 19-year-old forward with the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos, and Howden, an 18-year-old forward with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors, were named to the 22-player roster which will represent Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. on Dec. 26, 2010-Jan. 5, 2011.

Eakin, a Washington Capitals’ NHL draft pick, was cut from last year’s team. Howden is a NHL draft pick of the Florida Panthers.

The two Manitobans are joined by Brandon Wheat Kings’ forward Brayden Schenn, a native of Saskatoon who is one of four returning players from last year’s squad which earned silver.

Another returning player is Ryan Ellis of Windsor Spitfires who has become just the seventh player all-time to represent Canada at three IIHF World Junior Championships joining Winnipeg’s Jason Botterill, Jay Bouwmeester, Eric Lindros, Trevor Kidd, Martin Lapointe and Jason Spezza.

Team Canada will be based in Toronto until Friday when it will move to Niagra Falls, Ont. to continue preparations for the 10-team tournament.

Source:  Winnipeg Free Press Online Edition