The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Mr. Speaker, today in this Honourable House, I am very happy to recognize Dawson Mercer and Alex Newhook for being named to Team Canada for the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, which this year is set to begin on Christmas Day, in Edmonton, Alberta.

In October, Dawson Mercer, of Bay Roberts, was drafted 18th overall in the first round of the NHL draft. He is currently a member of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and is considered one of the top junior aged hockey players in the world. I have no doubt Dawson is very excited to return to this team for a second year, on his quest for back to back gold medals.

In 2019, St. John’s native Alex Newhook, who is also a constituent of mine, was chosen 16th overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Alex is currently in his sophomore year at Boston College, playing for the Boston College Eagles, where last year he received NCAA’s Tim Taylor Award as the top freshman in the United States. Good luck to Alex as he joins this prestigious group of talented hockey players.

Mr. Speaker, this is the first time two players from Newfoundland and Labrador played for Team Canada at the same time, at this tournament since John Slaney of St. John’s and Chad Penney of Labrador City, in 1992.

I would also like to note there is a third Newfoundlander and Labradorian on Team Canada, Mr. Brian Cheeseman. Mr. Cheeseman will be travelling to Alberta as the team therapist.

I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating Dawson and Alex on their selection to Team Canada and to wish them much success in Edmonton. I am sure there will be many hockey fans, along with their families and friends, throughout the province cheering them on as they proudly take to the ice to represent Newfoundland and Labrador and the entire country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.