Shattock excited for date with Russians

By GREGG DRINNAN
Daily News Sports Editor
Tyler Shattock, the captain of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, reached one of his goals Thursday.
Shattock, a 19-year-old right winger from Salmon Arm, was selected to play for Team WHL against a touring Russian side in the finale of the six-game Subway Super Series in Kelowna on Nov. 26. The teams also will play in Victoria on Nov. 25.
The date with the Russians shouldn’t cause Shattock to miss any games as he should be able to return in time to play the visiting Kootenay Ice on Nov. 27.
“That was one of my goals at the start of the season,” said Shattock after practice Thursday at Interior Savings Centre. “I wanted to play in that game. I want to show Team Canada what I’ve got.”
Shattock, who has missed the Blazers’ last two games with a charley horse, sees this opportunity as a stepping stone that hopefully will lead to Canada’s national junior team.
“Hopefully I will play well (in Kelowna) and get an invite to camp,” he said, in reference to the Team Canada selection camp that will be held early in December. “Any Canadian kid dreams about playing in the World Junior Championship in Canada.”
The 2010 tournament will be held in Saskatchewan, centred in Regina and Saskatoon, from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.
Shattock, who says his leg “is about 95 per cent,” is the only one of six injured Blazers who is expected to play tonight against the visiting Chilliwack Bruins. He leads the Blazers in scoring, with 20 points in 15 games.
Centre Dalibor Bortnak (spleen) was injured Aug. 25 in training camp. He is skating but remains out indefinitely.
Centre Colin Smith (broken arm), who was hurt Aug. 26, has returned to practice. He is scheduled to play his first game Nov. 6 against the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.
Forward Ryan Hanes (concussion), who was injured Oct. 12 against the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers, remains out indefinitely but saw some progress this week when he was able to ride a stationary bike without suffering a headache.
Left-winger Shayne Wiebe, who suffered a collarbone injury on Oct. 16 in Prince Albert, is practising but, in part because he is a physical player, is doubtful tonight.
Defenceman Linden Saip, who injured his left knee Oct. 17 in Saskatoon in the last game of a six-game road trip, didn’t practise yesterday. He is listed as day-to-day but is doubtful for tonight.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca
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