By Scott Fisher /

CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE
In Canada, that means far more than parties, feasts and last-minute shopping.

It’s time for the boys wearing the Maple Leaf to once again claim what we assume is rightfully ours — World Junior gold.

Eighteen WHL players were invited to Team Canada’s selection camp in Ottawa this month.

The cream of the crop will go for Canada’s fifth straight gold medal.

Tri-City Americans goaltender Chet Pickard, named the Western Hockey League’s top ’tender in 2007/08, is in a four-way battle for one of two spots between the pipes.

The Winnipeg-product is up against fellow WHLers Dustin Tokarski (Spokane Chiefs), from Watson, Sask., Vancouver Giants stopper Tyson Sexsmith and the QMJHL’s Jake Allen.

Brayden Schenn, the reigning WHL rookie of the year, will receive a good look.

The 17-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings sniper is projected as a high first-round pick in this summer’s NHL Draft.

Schenn’s linemate Matt Calvert also made the list.

Their Wheat Kings teammate Keith Aulie (Rouleau, Sask.), a Calgary Flames prospect, is looking for a spot on the blueline along with Moose Jaw Warriors D-man Travis Hamonic.

The Regina Pats also boast a pair of hopefuls in sniper Jordan Eberle, who was among league leaders with 23 goals through 33 games, and D-man Colten Teubert.

The fun starts Boxing Day against the Czech Republic.  

TRAGEDY IN CALGARY
The hockey world is mourning the loss of former WHL goaltender Michael Maniago.

Maniago, who appeared in 124 games over four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers and Lethbridge Hurricanes, was killed in a car accident Nov. 29 in Calgary.

A second cousin to former NHL ’tender Cesar Maniago, Michael was one of the good ones... and not just at stopping pucks.

Anyone who ever met the 20-year-old will say he was impossible not to like.