Neither drafted nor signed by a pro team following a solid junior career, the quality of Jordon Cooke's goaltending continues to command the attention from other domains in the hockey world.
The former Kelowna Rockets and current University of Saskatchewan Huskies stopper was named Tuesday to Canada's roster for the upcoming in Davos, Switzerland.
Cooke, a native of Leduc, Alta., will be the first current Canada West player in more than 30 years to join for Canada for the annual international tournament.
Last season's Canada West outstanding player and, Cooke was given the news this week in Montreal by Hockey Canada91裸聊视频檚 VP of hockey operations, Scott Salmond.
The 22-year-old Cooke was, to say the least, pleasantly surprised.
91裸聊视频淚 really just thought he was pulling me aside to see how my season was going and generally have a conversation," Cooke said. "Then out of the blue he kind of started leading into the Spengler Cup, how there was an open spot and how he wanted me.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淎s soon as he said that my eyes lit up and I kind of shot my head back a bit," he added. "I was definitely surprised.91裸聊视频�
Cooke will become the first active Canada West student-athlete to don the maple leaf in one of hockey91裸聊视频檚 most storied tournaments since 1984.
Cooke and the Canadian team will open defense of the Spengler Cup on Boxing Day against Dinamo Minsk.
With three goalies on Canada's roster, Cooke doesn't know how much he'll play91裸聊视频攊f at all91裸聊视频攂ut still plans to make the most of the experience.
91裸聊视频淲hether I play or not, it91裸聊视频檚 an honour to represent your country, no matter what tournament it91裸聊视频檚 in,91裸聊视频� said Cooke, who will be joined Daniel Vukovic (Gen猫ve-Servette HC, NLA) and Zach Fucale (Brampton, ECHL) in goal for Canada.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 really just excited to be given the opportunity to be on the roster. Whether I play or not, I91裸聊视频檒l deal with the moment when that comes, but right now I91裸聊视频檓 just ecstatic for the opportunity to go over there.91裸聊视频�
Last season with the Huskies, Cooke set a school record with 19 wins as Saskatchewan won the Canada West conference title.
This season, he's picked up where he left off, leading the conference with 10 wins, while sporting a 1.98 goals against average and .928 save ratio.
Cooke played 149 games over four seasons with the Rockets, winning both the WHL and of the year awards in 2014.
