Flanagan gets the nod for WJAC

From Wednesday's Clarion:

Klippers defenceman Sean Flanagan was one of three SJHL players to be named to the Canada West entry at the World Junior A Challenge next month in Penticton, B.C.

The Kindersley native is one of seven blueliners on the roster, announced Monday by Hockey Canada. Four of those rearguards are from the AJHL’s Camrose Kodiaks, who host the RBC Cup this season.

The other SJHL players to make the cut were forwards Clarke Breitkreuz of the Yorkton Terriers and Drew George of the Weyburn Red Wings. Breitkreuz returns for his second year at the event.

Flanagan got the good news on Sunday and said he felt honoured to be chosen for the squad.

“It was pretty exciting. It’s a pretty special feeling to be named to your country’s team,” he said.

“It’s definitely the most honourable thing I’ve ever been asked to be a part of.”

That is a hefty endorsement of the tournament, considering Flanagan played at the Baseball Canada Cup in Kindersley a year ago.

He said Larry Wintoneak, his head coach with the Klippers and now with Canada West, had not given him any indication of his chances throughout the process.

Wintoneak stressed that the decisions were made collectively by the coaches and scouts on staff, and that Flanagan wasn’t a homer pick.

“Just because I’m the head coach doesn’t mean I made that pick. Most of the other guys saw what I saw,” he said. “It’s well-deserved, and I really think he hasn’t played his A game yet.

“I’m really happy for him. I’m proud that he could do it,” Wintoneak added.

The 2010 event runs Nov. 8-14 in Penticton. The players and coaches will arrive on Monday; Flanagan and Wintoneak will miss at least six Klipper games, four of them at home.

Canada West will play in Group B, joined by Russia and Switzerland. Pool A features Canada East, Sweden and the defending champion United States.

Flanagan said playing against international teams will be something new for him.

“It’ll be the best Junior A players from across the world, so it’s pretty special,” he said. “It’ll be a cool experience.”

Canada West earned silver at last year’s tournament in Summerside, P.E.I., losing to the U.S. in the final.