Jansen Harkins of the Prince George Cougars has been named to Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 hockey team. Harkins was one of 12 forwards and 22 players selected to represent Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Championship August 11-16 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Canada’s first game will go Monday (August 11th) against Switzerland (in Slovakia). Harkins had one assist in a winning effort in Canada’s final intrasquad game at the selection camp in Calgary (Team White 3-2 over Team Red). Chosen second overall by the Cougars in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Harkins led all Cougars rookies with 34 points in 67 games last season.
–The Prince George Spruce Kings acquired 20 year old forward Michael Buonincontri from the Smith Fall’s Bears of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) in a three team trade that included the Nanaimo Clippers. The Spruce Kings gave up the BCHL list rights of 20-year-old forward Brett Roulston to the Clippers as part of the transaction. The 6’2” 205 pound Buonincontri split last season between the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL and Smith Fall’s. In 26 games with Smith Falls, Buonincontri tallied 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points to go along with 30 penalty minutes. He is committed to attend St. Cloud State University after his 20 year old season with the Spruce Kings. The Spruce Kings open training camp on Friday, August 29th.