Five Michigan natives selected for Junior A challenge

Mike Downing played in the All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo, and now he will represent Team USA in the Word Junior A Challenge in Nova Scotia. (Steve DeMeo/USA Hockey)

USA Hockey announced today their roster for the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, which will be played Nov. 5-11 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, with five Michigan natives making the list.

Team USA won the prestigious under-20 tournament three straight years from 2008-10, and placed third last year.

Twenty-one of the 22 players on the roster hail from the USHL, with one player from the Eastern Junior Hockey League. The players representing Michigan are below:

Defense

Mike Downing

  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 195 lbs.
  • Birthday: 5/19/95
  • Shoots: Left
  • Hometown: Canton, Mich.
  • Current team: Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

 

Forwards

Sheldon Dries

  • Height: 5-9
  • Weight: 170 lbs.
  • Birthday: 4/23/94
  • Shoots: Left
  • Hometown: Macomb Twp., Mich.
  • Current team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

Thomas Ebbing

  • Height: 5-11
  • Weight: 165 lbs.
  • Birthday: 9/28/94
  • Shoots: Left
  • Hometown: Troy, Mich.
  • Current team: Chicago Steel (USHL)

Alex Kile

  • Height: 5-11
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Birthday: 7/9/94
  • Shoots: Left
  • Hometown: Troy, Mich.
  • Current team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

Nicholas Schilkey

  • Height: 5-9
  • Weight: 170 lbs.
  • Birthday: 5/12/94
  • Shoots: Right
  • Hometown: Smiths Creek, Mich.
  • Current team: Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)