Exhibition games for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge begin Wednesday on three fronts, as both of the Canadian entries take to the ice for the first time.

In Nipawin, SK, Team Canada East takes on the host Hawks, while Team Canada West faces the Red Wings in Weyburn, SK.

The third game is in Dauphin, MB, where a sellout crowd will watch the hometown Kings take on the visiting Russians.

Check out www.hockeycanada.ca on Thursday for results from all of these games.

CAPTAINS NAMED

Team Canada West announced its captains on Wednesday for the World Junior A Challenge, with Burnaby Express (BCHL) forward Tyler McNeely (Burnaby, BC) receiving the honour of wearing the ‘C’.

He will be joined by alternate captains Deron Cousens (Georgetown, ON/Penticton Vees, BCHL), Jason Gray (Winnipeg, MB/Winnipeg South Blues, MJHL) and Chad Nehring (Springside, SK/Yorkton Terriers, SJHL).

DANBERG OUT, NASH IN

Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ forward Riley Nash has been added to the roster of Team Canada West for the event, replacing the Nanaimo Clippers’ Cody Danberg, who is out with a shoulder injury.

Through 17 games, the 17-year-old Nash has scored 10 goals and added 16 assists for 26 points, good for 18th in the BCHL scoring race.