The Vernon Vipers will be without their leading goal scorer for a bit longer.
Forward Brett Stapley has been selected to play for Canada West at the upcoming World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Truro, NS Dec. 10-16.
Canada West will open the tournament Dec. 10 against the Czech Republic.
Stapley is one of 15 B.C. Hockey League players selected to the Canada West roster following a training camp held in Calgary.
The 18-year-old Campbell River native has 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points in 31 games played this season. Only Jimmy Lambert (13-28-41) has more points on the Vipers.
Two members of the Penticton Vees blueline are on the team: defencemen Jonny Tychonick and Ryan O’Connell.
Canada West’s goalies are both from the BCHL: Mitch Adamyk of the Powell River Kings and Zach Rose from the Victoria Grizzlies.
Forward Carter Turnbull of the Kings, a native of Nanaimo, will be playing in his third World Junior A Challenge.
A total of 60 players were invited to the tryout camp in Calgary, including Vipers goalie Ty Taylor and Vernon defenceman Powell Connor of the Chilliwack Chiefs.