It's a dream come true for Tyler Steenbergen.

The Swift Current Broncos sniper survived both rounds of cuts and has made the roster for Team Canada's entry for the World Junior Championship.

Steenbergen is one of 22 Under-20 players who will suit up for his country at the tournament in Buffalo. The WHL's leading goal scorer notched a goal in a 5-2 exhibition win ahead of the final cuts yesterday.

Other WHLers on the roster include Carter Hart (Everett), Jake Bean (Calgary), Kale Clague (Brandon), Cal Foote (Kelowna), Dillon Dube (Kelowna), Same Steel (Regina) and Breett Howden (Moose Jaw).

The Broncos could end up being one of the most represented teams at the World Juniors as Aleksi Heponiemi tries out for Team Finland and Artyom Minulin pushes for a spot on Team Russia.


Steenbergen made the team despite not being a part of Canada's Under 18 team or the summer camp for World Juniors. He earned the opportunity but having one of the best starts in recent WHL history with 35 goals in his first 27 games.

The Arizona Coyotes prospect is the first Swift Current Broncos player to make Team Canada since defenceman Dillon Heatherington in 2014-15. That year they also had a player on Team Finland (Julius Honka) and it was the Finns who won gold.

Steenbergen making Team Canada means he will be away from the Broncos for several weeks. The tournament runs until January 2nd and the medal round then goes fro the 3rd to the 5th.

Swift Current plays their final game before the Christmas break on Saturday night against Kelowna. They will then be off until December 27th when they host Moose Jaw.

Listen live to Robertson Family Group Broncos Hockey at 6:30pm on The Eagle 94.1 FM. Puck drop is just after 7pm at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex.