July 8, 1999
NR.072

JOHN ERSKINE OF AJAX, ON, AND ROSS LUPASCHUK
OF EDMONTON, AB, INVITED TO CANADA'S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM EVALUATION CAMP

CALGARY, ALBERTA - Defencemen John Erskine, of Ajax, ON, and Ross Lupaschuk, of Edmonton, AB have been invited to CanadaÕs National Junior Team's Evaluation Camp August 3-10 at the Beatrice Ice Gardens, in Toronto ON, the Canadian Hockey Association announced on Friday.

Lupaschuk and Erskine were added after injuries to defencemen Robyn Regehr and Bryan Allen, both members of CanadaÕs silver medal winning entry at the 1999 World Junior Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Regehr, of Rosthern, SK, was seriously injured in a tragic car accident earlier this week while Allen, of Kingston, ON, broke his ankle at his home last week.

"Obviously our thoughts are with Robyn and his family as he recovers from his major injuries," said Claude Julien, Head Coach of Canada's National Junior Team.. "We also wish Brian a speedy and complete recovery from this unfortunate injury. In both their cases, we will be monitoring their progress when they return to play to determine if they will be able to attend the National Junior Team's Selection Camp in December."

Erskine, a 19 year-old defenceman with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The 6'4, 197 lb was selected by the Dallas Stars in the second round, 39th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. This past year Erskine totalled 8 goals, 12 assists and 20 points in 57 games.

Lupaschuk, an 18 year-old defenceman with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, was selected by the Washington Capitals in the second round, 34th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. The 6'1, 211 lb defenceman captured a gold medal with CanadaÕs National Under 18 Team at the 1998 Under-18 World Tournament in Slovakia.

Canada has won the World Junior Championship a record 10 times in the history of the tournament, including seven of the last ten gold medals. Team Canada won an unprecedented five straight World Junior titles from 1993-97 and won the silver medal last year in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 2000 World Junior Championship will be held in Skelleftea and Umea, Sweden from December 24, 1999 to January 4, 2000.