Sports
Plymouth Whalers' Will Bitten Named to Team Canada Red for World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Bitten, 16, was taken seventh overall by the Whalers in the 2014 OHL Draft.
Photo of Rena Laverty by Will Bitten.
Hockey Canada announced today that Plymouth Whalers center Will Bitten has been named to the Team Canada roster that will play in the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, held in Sarnia, ON from Nov. 2-8 at RBC Centre.
Canada will ice three teams in the tournament and Bitten will play for Canada Red.
Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
See Canada Black and Canada White. See release from Hockey Canada.
Bitten, 16-years-old and from Gloucester, ON, was selected by Plymouth in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We’re very happy for Will,” said Plymouth Whalers general manager Mark Craig. “He’s been one of the top players in his age group for a long time and deserves to play with his peers on the world stage. Players always seem to improve after playing in world competition. This tournament will help make Will a better player.”
Bitten scored his first OHL goal in the Whalers second game of the season last Saturday at Compuware Arena against Erie. Gathering speed through neutral territory, Bitten worked around a defender, cut to the net and scored on a backhander, five-hole, on Otters’ goaltender Devin Williams.
Listen to the audio of the goal.
Bitten comes to the Whalers with a track record for scoring. Bitten scored 36 goals and 42 assists for 78 points in 29 games as captain of the Ottawa Jr. 67’s minor midgets last season. He added five goals with five assists for 10 points in six games last spring in the OHL Cup tournament. He was named Minor Hockey Player of the Year for the Ontario East Minor Hockey League.
“He’s been one of our better players through training camp and early this season,” said Plymouth head coach Don Elland. “As a young guy, he comes in, works hard and listens. We’re happy for him. It’s going to be an exciting time. I know he’s looking forward to it.”
After playing in Guelph on Friday, Plymouth (1-0-1-0) returns home on Saturday to face the London Knights (1-1-0-0) at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena.
