Kamloops native Mathew Ward will play for Team Canada at the U18 Worlds in Germany which get underway this Saturday, April 23.

The 17-year-old led the Swift Current Broncos with 57 points in 64 games this season, his second with the Saskatchewan-based team.

Ward is the middle of three brothers. His younger brother, Sam, was just signed by the Broncos, while his older brother, Ben, just finished a four-year career with the Merritt Centennials in the BCHL.

Canada are the defending U18 World Champions, having won last year’s tournament which was played in Texas. It was fellow Kamloops native Logan Stankoven scored the tournament winning goal against Russia.

First up for Team Canada this year is a game against the United States at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.