Two Victoria Royals are set to don the Maple Leaf next month.
Forwards Eli McKamey and Jacob Schwartz have been named to Team Canada White for the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Truro, N.S., running Nov. 2 to 8.
They’ll be joined by Victoria-born defenceman Brock Cripps, a Prince Albert Raiders rookie who will represent Canada Red.
McKamey, from Cowichan Bay, was selected 35th overall by the Royals in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
The forward has yet to make his WHL debut due to a lower-body injury but was listed as day-to-day on the league’s Oct. 14 injury report.
Before joining the Royals, he starred at Shawnigan Lake School, posting 48 points in 28 games in 2023-24. He then made history as the BCHL’s first-ever exceptional status player, suiting up for the Penticton Vees at just 15. McKamey recorded 31 points in 52 games during his rookie year in Penticton.
The 16-year-old is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2026-27 NCAA season and is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.
His impending return could be a boost for both Victoria and Team Canada.
Schwartz, meanwhile, has already made an early impression in his first WHL season.
The Vancouver product, chosen eighth overall in the 2024 WHL draft, scored his first WHL goal in the Royals’ 3-2 overtime win over Penticton on Oct. 13.
In his WHL draft year, he led the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s U15 division with 30 goals and added 26 assists in 26 games for St. George’s School.
Royals general manager Jake Heisinger said both players earned their spots through hard work and talent.
“Any time you can play for your country is a huge honour and a great experience,” Heisinger told Victoria News. “Jacob continues to get better each game as he gets more and more comfortable. He’s a talented player, and it will be great for him to play against his peers in a high-profile tournament.”
Cripps, the second overall pick in the 2024 WHL draft, has also been turning heads early in his WHL career.
The 16-year-old Victoria native has four assists and a +7 rating through seven games with Prince Albert.
The annual U17 showcase has long been a proving ground for future NHL stars, featuring two Canadian entries alongside Sweden, Finland, Czechia, and the United States.
Alan Millar, Hockey Canada’s program of excellence general manager, said the tournament is a critical step in developing Canada’s next generation of elite players.
“We are incredibly proud to announce the 44 athletes who will represent Canada at the U17 World Challenge next month in Truro,” Millar said. “This is an important step in their development and a tremendous opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf.”
Team Canada Red will open against Finland at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, while Canada White will begin their tournament Nov. 3 at 3:30 p.m. against Sweden.
TSN will broadcast the medal games.
