Newfoundland natives Alex Newhook, fresh off of a 16th overall selection by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and highly touted prospect Dawson Mercer,  have been selected as two of  the 31 players taking part in selection camp, the final steps to determine which players will be suiting up for Team Canada at the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic.

Newhook, who plays for Boston College for the 2019-20 season, scored a whopping 102 points for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL in 2018-19.

Mercer, from Bay Roberts, scored 64 points in 68 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL in the 2018-19-season. Thus far in 2019-20 he has recorded a strong 36 points in 23 games with the squad, where he carries the role of assistant captain.

Newhook himself is no stranger to international play, having suited up for Canada in the 2019 Under-18 World Ice Hockey Championships in Sweden, scoring 10 points in seven games played.

The duo join a largely new-look Canadian squad, likely anchored by Rimouski sensation Alexis Lafreniere, the consensus number one draft choice for the NHL Entry Draft in 2020.

Canada’s participation in the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships kick off on Boxing Day when they take on rivals United States.