Dowling’s Yves Bastien, 17,  made the 2006-07 Canadian National Men’s Under-18 team, which is competing in the Junior World Cup this week in Piestany, Slovakia and Breclav, Czech Republic. The event runs from Aug. 8 to 12.

Bastien, a five-foot-nine, 165-pound spark plug, played last season with the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. It was his rookie season. Bastien scored six goals, 17 points and was a +6 in 60 games. Bastien has not only overcome his lack of size in the hockey world to get to the highest stage, but has also showed incredible courage playing with a partially blind eye.

Bastien was one of six OHL players and one of three players from Northern Ontario to make Team Canada. Yves showed grit and fine play to make the 2006-07 Canadian National Men's Under-18 squad.

Bastien will be joined by Porcupine’s Mark Katic (defenceman with Sarnia) and Sault Ste Marie’s Zack Torquato (forward with Saginaw) as the Northern Ontario contingent in the mix.

They will be joined by fellow OHL players Drew Doughty (Guelph) and Bryan Cameron (Belleville).

Fans can send their best wishes to Bastien and the rest of the team via the Hockey Canada website. Visit www.hockeycanada.ca and click the Men’s U-18 link. Scroll down the main page to find the e-mail for your favourite player link.

Canada will play Switzerland, Sweden and Slovakia in the round robin portion. The gold medal game goes on Aug. 12.

» 2006-07 National Men's Under-18 Team