CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), announced Tuesday seven players have been released from Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp and will be immediately returning to their respective club teams.

PLAYERS RELEASED FROM CANADA’S NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM SPORT CHEK SELECTION CAMP (12/13/2011)

Defenceman Mathew Dumba (Calgary, Alta./Red Deer, WHL)

Defenceman Jérôme Gauthier-Leduc (Cap-Rouge, Que./Rimouski, QMJHL)

Defenceman Brenden Kichton (Spruce Grove, Alta./Spokane, WHL)

Forward Michael Ferland (Swan River, Man./Brandon, WHL)

Forward Mark McNeill (Edmonton, Alta./Prince Albert, WHL)

Forward Zack Phillips (Fredericton, N.B./Saint John, QMJHL)

Forward Max Reinhart (West Vancouver, B.C./Kootenay, WHL)

Thirty-five players remain in camp, including four goaltenders, 11 defencemen and 20 forwards. These players are vying for one of 22 roster spots on Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Canada’s roster will be announced on the morning of Dec. 14. All countries participating in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship must submit their official roster on Dec. 25.

Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp runs at the WinSport Canada Athletic & Ice Complex in Calgary through Dec. 14. For a camp schedule, go to www.HockeyCanada.ca/2012juniors.

For more information on the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/2012juniors, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/worldjuniors and www.twitter.com/hc_wjc.