Estevan Bruins defenceman Tyler Kauk was one of 60 players to participate in the main camp for Canada West for this year's World Junior A Challenge.
The camp began Sunday and wraps up today in Calgary. It will be used to select the final team that will represent the western Junior A leagues at the World Junior A Challenge, which is being held Nov. 5-11 in Yarmouth, N.S.
"It just feels great. Opportunities like this don't really come much, so you gotta take full advantage of it when it comes," said Kauk.
"It just shows you that you're a good hockey player and you can do something with it and go places."
Only five 19-year-olds are allowed to be picked for the team, which puts Kauk at a slight disadvantage.
He said he wasn't expecting to make it out of the initial SJHL camp held earlier this month in Humboldt. Four Bruins attended that camp.
"I had a feeling like, 'it's going to be tough to make the squad.' But here I am," Kauk said.
The Winnipeg native has a goal and eight points through 12 games this year, which puts him third in SJHL scoring among defencemen.
But Kauk said his play in his own end is what he needs to show in order to crack the roster.
"A little bit of leadership and I just gotta play my game, play very defensively, always hitting, staying on guys and being a leader out on the ice."
Six other SJHL players attended the camp: Flin Flon Bombers forwards Dillan McCombie and Brett Boehm, Melville Millionaires forward Russell Trudeau, La Ronge Ice Wolves forward Rhyse Dieno, Battlefords North Stars forward Josh Betinol and Nipawin Hawks forward Tayler Balog.
