Holzapfel hopeful dream of playing for Canada comes true

John Down , CanWest News Service; Calgary Herald
Published: Monday, December 10, 2007CALGARY -

Riley Holzapfel has been waiting what seems like a lifetime for the chance.

Now the 19-year-old winger has four short days to get the job done, to make enough of an impression to win a spot on Canada's world junior team roster.

The five-foot-11, 189-pounder from Regina will be one of 37 players vying for 22 spots when the team selection camp opens today at Father David Bauer Arena.

"Obviously it isn't going to be easy to make the team," submitted the feisty captain of the Western Hockey League's Moose Jaw Warriors. "Canada always has a solid team and I'm sure they'd be able to put a couple of good teams together from all the good players from around the country.

"So you just have to play the game that got you there and hopefully so something that'll make you stand out."

There are few shifts, few games where Holzapfel doesn't stand out at some point. He takes on the game full speed ahead and brings sandpaper, sometimes with a little too much grit and reckless abandon.

That kind of play led to an early-season concussion that caused him to miss two weeks. No sooner had he returned than he was suspended for two games for doing a dastardly deed.
It's almost like he feels like he still needs to carry the team as he did for most of last season while it underwent a major makeover.

"Riley's a good hockey player but what I think he needs to learn is that he doesn't have to carry our team on his shoulders," said Moose Jaw coach Dave Hunchak. "He needs to learn he's a part of our team and that we don't rely on him solely to score goals."

Holzapfel's play, nevertheless, hasn't gone unnoticed by the Team Canada scouting and coaching staff. He was a last-minute invite to last summer's camp when a player went down with an injury and suited up with Team WHL for last month's two ADT Canada-Russia Challenge games.
Thrown onto a line with Calgary's Ryan White, the two formed some instant chemistry and both received their first invitations to this week's main selection camp. But the two have been split up for camp opening, White on Team White and Holzapfel on Team Red.

"Obviously it's been a dream to play for my country," said Holzapfel, "and I really haven't had the chance outside of the two Canada-Russia games this year and one I played last year.
"I haven't had the chance to don the Canada jersey but this is an excellent chance to put it on. I'm pretty excited to get there and can hardly wait to get on the ice with all the guys come Monday.

"I'm pretty sure it'll be pretty intense and a lot of fun."
jdown@theherald.canwest.com
Calgary Herald