Estevan Bruins forward Dylan Smith is among eight SJHL players and 41 overall who were invited to the Canada West evaluation camp, in preparation for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge.
Smith, who was also invited to the camp last year, is trying to prove he belongs on the Canada West squad this time around, but he said it feels pretty good just to be invited two years in a row.
"It's great. Not many guys get to go, there's only 41 invited and to be amongst the top 41 players in Western Canada is something special," said Smith. "It doesn't happen for everybody and I feel I've worked hard."
When he was invited last year at 17, Smith was a long shot to make the team, as it is predominantly made up of 18-year-olds with a few 19-year-olds.
"I think I have a lot better chance this year. Last year I think I was just happy to be there, I was just taking it in, and was just along for the ride," said Smith, who led the Bruins in scoring last season. "This year, I talked to the coach and the head scout and they said that if I have a good camp, I have a good shot at making it."
In preparation for this season, Smith did a lot of strength training in the summer and focused on his foot speed. He also worked on his strength in order to be stronger on the puck and improve his shot.
He said his first time at the evaluation camp he, like a lot of the first time invitees, was in awe of the whole process, and he said you could definitely tell which players had been there before.
"It's not often that you get to put on a Team Canada jersey, even for just a practice, so there's a lot of looking around and watching. But the guys who had been there before, knew what they were doing, they were out there giving it everything they had," he said.
The camp took place took place on Monday and Tuesday this week but Smith said he won't find out if he makes it or not for about a month. He said the camp is the main part of a player's evaluation, but the scouts will now attend some of his games he plays with the Bruins for further assessment.
"You have a little sit-down with one or two of the coaches and they give you a pretty good idea after the camp, but the team's not fully decided until after they come and watch some of your games, so you have an idea when you leave, but nothing is for sure," said Smith.
"I'm confident in my abilities that if I go out and play my game, I can make this team and I really want to make this team, it's been one of my goals."
