Ennis, Myers make Canadian junior team

Big news from north of the border: Both of the Sabres' first-round picks last June have been selected to play for Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships that begin Dec. 26 in Ottawa (the 2010-11 tourney, remember, will be at HSBC Arena and Niagara University).

Tyler Myers, the 6-foot-6 defenseman who was selected 12th overall, and center Tyler Ennis, taken 26th with the pick acquired from San Jose in the Brian Campbell trade, were both named to the roster Monday.

"That's great they both made it," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said when told the news after practice. "It just tells you we've got a couple good players coming down the pipeline."

Ennis and Myers both attended the Sabres' prospect camp over the summer at Niagara University and were at training camp in September before being returned to their junior teams in the Western Hockey League. Ennis has 36 points (15-21) in 31 games this season for Medicine Hat while Myers has four goals, 16 assists and is plus-9 through 26 games at Kelowna.

The Canadian team also includes Oshawa winger John Tavares, the consensus top North American prospect in next year's draft and the nephew of the Bandits star of the same name, and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo of the Niagara Ice Dogs, the fourth overall choice last year by the St. Louis Blues. Pietrangelo played eight games for St. Louis this season before being returned to junior and his final NHL appearance saw him log 19 1/2 minutes of ice time Nov. 12 against the Sabres in HSBC Arena.

---Mike Harrington