When the 24th Winter Universiade begins in Harbin, China, in February 2009, the Western Hockey League will be well represented.

Canada’s entry at the 2009 Winter Universiade will feature a Men’s hockey team comprised of 22 players from the CIS’ Canada West Conference – a squad that will be looking to defend the Gold medal that the CIS’ Atlantic University Conference-based team won for Canada in Torino, Italy, in 2007. 19 of the 22 Canada West players named to Canada’s team are WHL grads.

“Any time you represent your country it’s a special opportunity,” said the team’s Head Coach Milan Dragicevic, who also coaches the U.B.C. Thunderbirds. “This is a chance that every player wants, to wear the leaf on his chest.

“Every time Canada competes in an international competition we’re playing for gold. You’re not playing for any other medal and that is the mandate we’re going to have with this team,” he added.

It marks the first time since 2003 that Canada’s hockey entry at the Winter Universiade has been made up of Canada West Conference players. The 2003 team finished with a Bronze medal in Tarvisio, Italy, and also earned Bronze in 1997 in Chonju, South Korea.

The 2009 event also marks the first time Canada’s Men’s hockey team will try and defend a Gold medal in 16 years.

“It’s a huge honor,” said U.B.C. Thunderbirds defenseman and former WHLer Craig Lineker, who is one of five WHL grads to be named to Canada’s defense corps. “I never had the chance to participate in anything like this before, and obviously it’s great to be able to represent your country at any level of competition and to put on the Canadian jersey and play against other countries.”

If one thing is for sure, it’s that Canada’s Men’s hockey entry at the 2009 Winter Universiade will be a very strong group.

Backstopped by University of Alberta Golden Bears All-Star goaltender Aaron Sorochan – a former nominee for the WHL Goaltender of the Year award in his Western Hockey League days – and WHL alumnus Brant Hilton, Canada’s netminding should be as strong as any team at the tournament.

A rock-solid defense corps featuring Lineker as well as fellow WHL grads like Jason Fransoo, Kyle Fecho and Derek Endicott should be more than capable of handling the job of shutting down opposing team’s top guns.

Up front, though, is where the Canada West group’s strength lies. Featuring former WHL All-Stars such as Steve DaSilva (U of S), Reid Jorgensen (U of C), Ian McDonald (U of A) and Chad Klassen (U of A), Canada’s team should be able to put the puck in the net.

“It’s pretty flattering to see that roster and to be accepted on this team,” said Brian Woolger, a former Portland Winter Hawk now starring for the U of A Golden Bears. “I’ve known most of the guys on the roster for a while, either through my WHL days or playing in Canada West, and I’ve known how good a lot of these guys are, so to be included with them is a huge honor.”

As excited as many of the players are to get the opportunity to compete for their country, many are also looking forward to the chance to see a much different part of the world. With the 2009 Winter Universiade being held in Harbin, a city of around 10 million people, and in a country as vast and different as China, it’s an opportunity for players to see a part of the world they may never have gotten the chance to see, otherwise.

“It’s going to be very different, being in northern China,” said University of Calgary forward Torrie Wheat, also a former Swift Current Bronco and Everett Silvertip. “I don’t know what to expect, but I know it’s going to be a really different experience…I guess it gets pretty cold over there, too.”

It comes as no surprise that 19 of the 22 players named to Canada’s 2009 Winter Universiade Men’s Hockey roster are WHL graduates. Currently, WHL graduates make up the vast majority of rosters of Canada West Conference teams, almost all of whom are attending Canada West Universities on WHL Scholarships.

Since 1993, the WHL has awarded more than 3000 Scholarships to graduate players, representing a contribution of over $9 million.

All players who play in the WHL are eligible to receive full WHL academic scholarships. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a full year guaranteed WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, to a post-secondary institution of their choice. In addition, while playing in the WHL, players receive financial assistance for education expenses such as high school fees and tutoring or fees for post-secondary courses, to ensure players reach their academic potential.

“It’s been huge for me,” said Lineker about the WHL’s Scholarship program. “Without it, it wouldn’t be possible for me to go to school and play hockey because it’s just too expensive. The WHL has done a great job of allowing guys the opportunity to get a University education. I can keep playing hockey at a high level and concentrate on school without having to worry about paying for it.”