The Merritt Centennials will have a player take part in the World Junior Hockey Championships for the first time in club history.

Slovakian Forward Daniel Tkac, 19, will play for his country at the event over the holidays in the the Czech Republic. He has 20 points in 23 games this season with Merritt, which surpassed last year’s totals.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling just to get the chance to play. It doesn’t happen too often that you get an opportunity like this,” he said. “It’s one of those things that you think about growing up and when it comes you got to make the most of it.”

Tkac has played for Slovakia before at the U18 World Juniors, where he had three points in five games. Prior to that tournament, he had four points in eight games with the U18 team.

“Daniel has proven he is an elite player in the BCHL and getting recognized by the Slovakian national team is something he should be very proud of,” said Cents Director of Hockey Operations, John Stuart. “We will miss him in the line up while he’s away for the World Juniors, but we are very proud of him for getting this rare opportunity.”

“His hard work, determination, and being a good, positive teammate is being rewarded by this honor.”

The Centennials will be without Tkac from Dec. 6th until Jan. 6th.

Slovakia will open the tournament on December 27 against Kazakhstan.