Cougar prospects Dennis Cholowski (D – Langley, B.C. – Team Canada) and Riley Tufte (F – Ham Lake, MN – Team USA) will both be auditioning for a roster spot for their respective countries in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships when they attend the 2017 World Junior Summer Showcase.
The event takes place in Plymouth, MI from July 29 through August 5. The week-long camp will feature games between four countries: Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States in preparation for the World Juniors which run December 26 through January 5, 2018 in Buffalo, NY. Forty-two players were invited to both the Canadian and USA camps.
Dennis Cholowski (1998) was selected by the Cougars in the 10th round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. After posting 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points in 50 games during the 2015-16 season with the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs, he was selected 20th Overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2016 NHL Draft. He played the 2016-17 season with St. Cloud State University and scored a goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 36 games. In April of 2017 he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Red Wings ending his NCAA eligibility.
Riley Tufte (1998) was added to the Cougars Protected List in July, 2013. After a standout season with Blaine High School in 2015-16 Tufte was named USHS Minnesota Mr. Hockey. He scored 47 goals and added 31 assists for 78 points in 25 games that season and was drafted by the Dallas Stars with the 25th Overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. He played last season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth and scored nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 37 games en route to a berth in the NCAA championship finals.
“We’ve known for a long time that both Dennis and Riley are elite, all-world type of players, and both are extremely deserving of the opportunity to hopefully represent their countries at the World Juniors,” said Cougars General Manager, Todd Harkins. “Dennis Cholowski is a steady offensive defenceman who would be a tremendous asset to Team Canada’s blue line, and Riley Tufte is a power forward who would make life miserable for anybody having to defend against Team USA. We’re very proud of both players and we wish them the best during the World Junior Summer Showcase.”
-Prince George Cougars
