(Submitted photo/Rhesa & Richard Petersen)

By Clark Stork

National Team

Buckberger named to Team West for upcoming WJAC

Dec 1, 2023 | 1:09 PM

Nipawin Hawks’ defenceman Ronan Buckberger will suit up for Team West at the World Junior ‘A’ Championship in Truro, N.S. later this month.

“When I got the call, I was pretty honoured and proud of myself,” the 17-year-old Saskatoon product said. “Just a cool thing to be accepted for.”

Buckberger is tied for fifth in Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) scoring for rookies as a defenceman. He has seven goals and 15 assists in 27 games. He said making the Team Canada West roster was a goal for him at the start of the season.

“Obviously anytime you get the chance to wear the maple leaf on your sweater and represent Canada nationally it’s pretty cool,” he said.

Humboldt Broncos Head Coach Scott Barney will be the coach of the team, Matthew Van Blaricom of the Broncos will also be on the team. No other SJHL players made the roster.

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Nipawin’s Tyson Hobbins played in the event in 2006. Buckberger said being the second Hawk to make the tournament that begins in Truro, N.S. on Dec. 10 is something he is proud of as well.

“A lot of credit goes to my teammates, my coaches, all the other people surrounding me daily in the Hawks organization has done a great job improving me as a player and a person off the ice this year. Just a lot of positive things to say about the team and the franchise that helped push me towards being selected for this,” he said.

He will miss all five of the Hawks December games starting on Dec. 6. Buckberger will leave for Nova Scotia on Monday.

The five-team event runs from Dec. 10 to 17.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @ClarkStork