Smith is among 39 junior-aged players (born in 1991 or later) invited to the camp. Players who make the final roster will represent Canada in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Buffalo.
In hockey-mad Canada, it doesn’t get much bigger than the World Junior Championships.
“In Canada, it’s probably one of the biggest deals in hockey if you’re one of the guys invited and one of the fortunate ones to make it,” said Miami coach Rico Blasi, a native of Weston, Ontario. “The country shuts down. It’s a real big deal.”
“In Canada it’s probably right up there with the Olympics,” Smith said.
Smith is from Mimico, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. He said he lives about five minutes from the MasterCard Centre.
Smith’s older brother, Brendan, a standout at Wisconsin who is now playing for Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League, was a two-time invitee to the junior camp.
“I’m really excited. I can’t wait to get up there and show them what I’ve got,” Reilly said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to make this team so I’m just trying to have no regrets when I get there.”
Smith, a third-round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Draft, is the third-leading scorer in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists). Teammates Carter Camper and Andy Miele rank 1-2 with 35 (13-22) and 31 (8-23) points, respectively. Camper and Miele rank 1-2 nationally as well.
“(Smith) has played well,” Blasi said. “I’m just proud and happy for him that he’s been given the opportunity to make the team. Hopefully he goes up there and does his job.”
The selection camp will consist of intrasquad games Sunday and Monday and a game against the Canadian University National Team on Tuesday.
The final roster of 22 will be announced on Wednesday.
Canada, which lost to the U.S. in the gold-medal game at the 2010 tournament, opens this tourney Dec. 26 in Buffalo against Russia.
Long layoff
The sixth-ranked RedHawks (10-5-3) usually have a couple of weeks off during the holidays every season, but the way the schedule fell this season (a bye this weekend) means Miami will go 25 days between games.
Miami, which beat Notre Dame 5-2 on Dec. 4, returns to the ice Dec. 29 against Maine in the College Hockey Classic in Estero, Fla.
“It comes at a good time for us right now,” Blasi said. “We’ve had some guys banged up and other guys that we need to get back in shape and healthy to be ready for the stretch run.”
Miami, which leads the CCHA by a point over Notre Dame and two over Michigan, returns to league play Jan. 7 at Ohio State.
Mason suspended
The CCHA on Thursday announced that Miami forward Steve Mason has been suspended for a game as a result of a hit from behind against a Notre Dame player on Dec. 4.
Mason received major and game-misconduct penalties on the play in question.
He will miss Miami’s game vs. Maine, but is eligible to return Dec. 30 in the third-place or championship game of the Florida Hockey Classic.
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