NHL 17 Rosters: A Tradition of Excellence for Canadian Hockey

Since 2001, a remarkable trend has emerged in the NHL Draft. Ten Canadians who have competed with one of Canada's national men's under-17 teams have been selected first overall in the draft. This impressive feat is a testament to the country's rich hockey tradition and the success of its development programs.

One of these talented players is Connor McDavid, who led the NHL in scoring for the second consecutive year in 2017-18 with an astonishing 108 points (41 goals, 67 assists). He also won the Ted Lindsay Award for the second straight year, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top stars.

The U17 Program of Excellence is responsible for selecting and developing these talented players. The management group, led by Philippe Boucher and Benoit Roy, along with regional scouts Pierre Cholette, Rob Simpson, Darren Sutherland, and Darrell Woodley, work together to identify and nurture the best young talent in Canada.

In addition to their impressive individual achievements, McDavid and his fellow Canadian draft picks have also contributed to Team Canada's success on the international stage. The team's roster for the upcoming Capital City Challenge tournament has been announced, featuring 66 players divided into three teams: Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, and Team Canada White.

The extreme roster shuffling that occurred this season doesn't change one thing, however – the importance of Canadian hockey development programs in producing top talent. The rosters for Team Canada's three under-17 teams will be unveiled in the coming weeks, giving fans a glimpse into the future of Canadian hockey.

With their rich history of producing NHL stars and their commitment to developing young players, it's no wonder that Hockey Canada is once again at the forefront of international competition. The Capital City Challenge tournament, featuring Team Canada Black, Team Canada Red, Team Canada White, and Canada's National Women's Team, promises to be an exciting event that will showcase the country's best young talent.

In conclusion, the NHL 17 rosters are a testament to the excellence of Canadian hockey development programs. With their impressive track record of producing top draft picks and NHL stars, Hockey Canada continues to lead the way in developing young players who can compete at the highest level.

Nhl 17 rosters