(Guelph, ON) -- Seven clients have been named to their respective country's teams for the upcoming IIHF Under-18 World Championships.
Goaltender Damian Slavik (Nove Zamky, SVK), defensemen Andrew Gibson (Lasalle, ON), Albert Wikman (Farjestad, SWE) and Daniil Ustinkov (Wallisellen, SUI) along with forwards Julius Sumpf (Ebersberg, GER), Timo Ruckdäschel (Ingolstadt, GER) and Lars Bosecker (Rosenheim, GER) have all been selected to represent their countries.
The tournament starts April 20th in Basel & Porrentruy, Switzerland.
Slavik, a 6-4, 183 lbs. goaltender, has spent the season with HC Slovan Bratislava.
Gibson is a 6-3, 196 lb. defenseman who played 45 games with the OHL's S.S. Marie Greyhounds this past season. He was rated #32 among all North American skaters in the mid-term NHL Central Scouting ratings. He recorded 7 goals and 14 assists with the Hounds.
Wikman (6.01, 194 lbs) played 43 games with the Farjestad BK J20 team this year recording 2 goals and 10 assists. He was rated #35 among European skaters at the mid-point.
Ustinkov (6.00, 183 lbs) played 33 games with the GCK Lions in the Swiss U20 league recording 5 goals and 3 assists as a 16-year old. He also played 18 games with the Swiss U17 national team and scored 5 goals and 3 assists. He is not NHL eligible until 2024.
Sumpf (6.01, 176 lbs) and Bosecker (6.00, 163 lbs) spent the season together with the Red Bull juniors. Sumpf had 9-9-18 in 23 games and Bosecker had 13 assists in 36 games.
Ruckdäschel (6.01, 192 lbs) scored 6 goals and 2 assists for the RB Hockey Juniors of the Alps League. He also saw action in 7 games with EHC Munchen of the DEL.