London Knights captain Sam O’Reilly is among the 27 players who have been named to Team Canada’s World Junior Hockey training camp roster. O’Reilly is joined by Londoner Jett Luchanko and Cameron Reid of Copenhagen, Ont. as those with area ties to the final selection process which will start Friday in Niagara Falls. Knights head coach Dale Hunter will lead the team behind the bench with his brother Mark, who is part of the management team and Londoner Chris Maton, who is one of two equipment managers. The last time the Hunters were involved with Team Canada, they won gold in 2020, beating Russia in the final. Canada has lost in the quarterfinals the past two years. It is still possible the World Junior team could get former London Knight Sam Dickinson from the San Jose Sharks before the tournament. Dickinson has one goal and two points in 23 games with the Sharks. Canada will host its training camp, then play two exhibition games against Sweden on Dec. 17 in Kitchener and at Canada Life Place in London on Dec. 20.
