Five North Bay Battalion players are heading to NHL camps.

Canucks prospect Brett McKenzie is off to Penticton, BC for Vancouver’s Young Stars tournament

Head coach Stan Butler says he was a key part of the team at the OHL showcase and he hopes it gets him a contract which would mean he wouldn’t play for the Battalion this season.

“He came to camp in good shape and worked hard in those games and with all due respect to Brett we hope to never see him again except at charity functions,” Butler says.

As well, defenceman Cam Dineen, with the Arizona Coyotes, is taking part in a rookie tournament in San Jose. Fellow blueliner Brady Lyle is heading to the same rookie tournament with the Anaheim Ducks. Meantime, right winger Justin Brazeau, with the Columbus Blue Jackets and defenceman Adam Thilander with the Carolina Hurricanes are both heading to an NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan.

“Hopefully, they’re going to learn what it is like to be a pro hockey player,” He says.

(PHOTO: Brett McKenzie of the North Bay Battalion. Photo by Terry Wilson / OHL Images)

Filed under: NHL rookie camps, North Bay Battalion