ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Flyers prospects Scott Laughton and Taylor Leier both received invites Monday to Team Canada’s final World Juniors camp that will be held Dec. 12 in Etobicoke.
They were 2012 Flyer draft selections.
Laughton, chosen No. 20 overall, is tearing things up in the OHL with 42 points this season playing for the Oshawa Generals. Leier, a fourth-round pick, is with the Portland Winterhawks.
The full roster must be decided by Dec. 25. Laughton is considered a foregone conclusion to make the final cut.
Leier’s selection was a bit of a surprise despite his glittering stats -- 38 points in 28 games and being a captain for the Winterhawks.
“I’m excited for Taylor,” said general manager Paul Holmgren. “I know he played very well. There were some rumblings late that he could be added to the team or at least the initial roster. That’s great for him.
“I felt Scott would be a guy [picked] all along, but Taylor it just goes to show you. He was a kid who was a fourth-round pick and if you watch him for any period of time, he’s small but a good hockey player. A good two-way player who plays a 200-foot game.
Flyers scout Mark Greig, who handles the western U.S., told Holmgren that Leier would amount to something.
“Mark always has been a huge fan and said this kid is going to find a way to play,” Holmgren said. “Obviously, added to that roster shows it.”
Holmgren said the decision to return Laughton to his junior club in training camp was the right one and this selection backs it up.