Top-ranked Nolan Patrick won’t play for Canada at world juniors

Jeff Marek highlights some of the players hockey fans should keep an eye on during the World Junior selection camp.

Nolan Patrick, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, will not take part in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Hockey Canada made the announcement Monday night via Twitter.

The six-foot-three, 195-pound centre has played in just six games for the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings this season after suffering an upper-body injury in early October, racking up four goals and nine points.

The Winnipeg native scored 41 goals and 102 points in 72 games in ’15-16, adding 30 more points in 21 playoff contests as the Wheat Kings captured a league championship and a berth in the MasterCard Memorial Cup. He was named MVP of the WHL playoffs for his efforts.

Team Canada’s selection camp takes place from Dec. 10-14 in Blainville, Que., while the tournament runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Montreal and Toronto.

— With files from Canadian Press

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