Connor Zary and Jakob Pelletier named to Canada’s World Junior team

Two Calgary Flames prospects will be chasing a gold medal on Canadian soil over the holidays. Forwards Connor Zary and Jakob Pelletier have both been named to Canada’s entry at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Pelletier was the Flames’ first round selection at the 2019 NHL Draft. A product of Quebec City, he’s played his junior hockey with Moncton and Val-d’Or (and served as captain on both teams). A versatile winger, he was named the QMJHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player and a second team all-star in 2019-20, and he earned consistent praise from Canadian coach Andre Tourigny throughout camp. He missed his shot at the World Juniors a year ago after suffering a concussion that prevented his trip to selection camp, so it’s good to see him make the team.

Joining Pelletier is Zary, the Flames’ first round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft – y’know, the guy they got after trading down twice. A product of Saskatoon, he’s played his junior hockey with Kamloops. Zary attended camp last year but didn’t make the team, and like Pelletier he’s a 19-year-old who managed to grab a spot on the roster in his last year of eligibility.

For the curious, the full 25 player Canadian roster:

The tournament begins on Boxing Day in Edmonton.