A pair of players committed to the Ontario Hockey League for 2023-24 have been named to the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team that will compete in the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament in Chomutov, Czechia from August 4-8.
Soo Greyhounds prospect Travis Hayes and Ottawa 67’s prospect Nic Whitehead are included on the roster that consists of 20 players that will compete in the annual tournament that also features Czechia, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland.
The third member of the Hayes family to commit to the OHL, Travis follows older brothers Avery (Peterborough/Hamilton) and Gavin (Flint). The 15-year-old from Westland, Mich. was selected by the Greyhounds in the second round (25th overall) this past spring after recording eight points (4-4–8) in 15 games for the Detroit Compuware 15U AAA program. He added seven points (4-3–7) in four playoff games. Hayes performed well at the USA Selects-16 tournament earlier this month in Amherst, NY, recording 10 points (3-7–10) in five games for Team Forest.
Whitehead was drafted by Ottawa with the first pick of the second round, hearing his name called 23rd overall. The Longwood, Fla. native spent the 2022-23 season with Mt. St. Charles Academy based out of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He recorded 37 goals, 40 assists and 77 points in 51 games. Whitehead also competed in the USA Selects-15 tournament, leading the showcase in scoring with 11 points (6-5–11) in four games for Team White.
Team USA has captured titles at eight Under-17 Five Nations Tournaments since the event was established in 2007.
For more on the roster announcement, visit usahockey.com.
