Jakob Pelletier (and two Hitmen) named to Canada-Russia Series rosters

There will be a distinct Calgary flavour to the annual junior series between the Canadian Hockey League and the Russian national team. Calgary Flames 2019 first round pick Jakob Pelletier has been named to Team QMJHL, while Calgary Hitmen defender Jett Woo and forward Carson Focht will represent Team WHL.

Pelletier, 18, was selected by the Flames 26th overall back at June’s entry draft. He’s emerged as an offensive leader for the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. So far this season, he has 13 points in eight games. He’s previously represented Canada at the World Under-17s, the World Under-18s and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Woo, 19, and Focht, 19, are both Vancouver Canucks draft picks. Woo was acquired by the Hitmen from Moose Jaw, Focht from Swift Current. Both have gotten off to pretty good starts for the Hitmen, who are off to a strong start themselves.

The Canada Russia Series runs in early November. The QMJHL games are Nov. 4 (in Saint John) and Nov. 5 (in Moncton), while the WHL games are Nov. 13 (in Saskatoon) and Nov. 14 (in Prince Albert). For the curious, Dustin Wolf isn’t eligible for this event because he’s American, but there’s a distinct possibility that one or both of Ilya Nikolayev or Dmitry Zavgorodniy will be on Team Russia.