TORONTO, Ont.–Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Tuesday that nine players were released from Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp and they will return to their respective club teams on December 14.

The nine players released were: defencemen Jesse Blacker (Toronto, Ont./Owen Sound, OHL) and Brayden McNabb (Davidson, Sask./Kootenay, WHL) and forwards Brendan Gallagher (Delta, B.C./ Vancouver, WHL), Joey Hishon (Stratford, Ont./Owen Sound, OHL), Ryan Howse (Prince George, B.C./ Chilliwack, WHL), Brad Ross (Lethbridge, Alta./Portland, WHL), Reilly Smith (Mimico, Ont./Miami University, CCHA), Linden Vey (Wakaw, Sask./Medicine Hat, WHL) and Garrett Wilson (Elmvale, Ont.).

With Tuesday’s player releases, the National Junior Team selection camp roster now stands at 31 players, including four goaltenders, 10 defencemen and 17 forwards.

Canada’s National Junior Team runs through December 15 in Toronto, Ont., with the players vying for one of 22 roster spots for Canada for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. A roster of players at selection camp will face a CIS all-star team on Tuesday, December 14. Fans will be able to follow game statistics at HockeyCanada.ca or live updates via Twitter.com/HC_TeamCanada

Canada will play its first game of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship on Boxing Day, December 26 versus Russia, a game that will be broadcast LIVE by TSN/RDS and on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).

Canada has medaled at twelve straight IIHF World Junior Championships including gold medal performances in 2005, 2006, 2007, 20, silver medals in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010 and bronze medals in 20.