Third year X-Men forward Matthew Struthers (Milton, ON) recently wrapped up a two-game stint with the U SPORTS all-star team who competed against Canada's National Junior Team hopefuls at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, ON. He had a goal and two assists in the matches.
The two games were part of the Canadian Junior Selection Camp to prepare for the upcoming 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden as the team prepares to select its final roster.
It marks the ninth time since 2015 that a team of U SPORTS men's hockey all-stars has competed against the Canadian juniors.
Struthers is part of the 22-man U SPORTS all-star roster from across the country, and joined the team for the second consecutive year, having also competed at the same event in Moncton last year. He is one of five AUS athletes selected, along with Saint Mary's forward Andrew Coxhead, UNB forwards Austen Keating and Brady Gilmour, and UNB defenceman Adam McCormick.
Struthers noted, "It was another great experience representing both STFX and U SPORTS. It is a huge honour to be selected to compete in this mini-series and challenge the world junior hopefuls."
"Being my second time at this event, and being familiar with a lot of the coaches and players made it a special four days. This year, with players being selected from all three leagues across U SPORTS allowed for a great opportunity to build relationships with new guys and I thought we really pushed those young kids in both of the games," he continued.
"Overall, it was another great experience and something that I'm super grateful for getting the opportunity to compete in again."
In Tuesday evening's game, the Canadian juniors won 4-2 over the U SPORTS all-stars. Struthers assisted on the second U SPORTS goal. Complete game one stats are available by CLICKING HERE.
Wednesday's game saw the U SPORTS squad defeat the Canadian juniors by a 6-1 margin. Struthers assisted on the third U SPORTS goal scored 1:06 into the third period. He then netted their final goal of the game, an empty netter with under a minute to play. CLICK HERE for complete game two stats.
Heading into the Christmas break, Matthew Struthers is currently tied for second in AUS scoring and is sixth in the nation with 26 points (9G, 17A). The 2021-22 U SPORTS second team all-Canadian was a member of the 2023 U SPORTS all-star team who won the gold medal at the Winter Universiade in Lake Placid, NY. He has been honoured as an AUS first team all stars in each of the past two seasons.
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Courtesy Krista McKenna/Iris Magill, STFX Athletics