Coach, goalie from Imperial, Sask. on World Juniors team

Only two members of this year’s Canadian World Juniors team are from Saskatchewan, and both hail from the same town of about 350 people.

Both assistant coach Kris Knoblauch and goaltender Connor Ingram are from Imperial, Sask., a town located about 139 kilometres northwest of Regina.

“That’s about all that’s being talked about when you walk into the stores,” Mayor Edward Abrey said. “Everybody’s got their heads together talking about the game last night or the game that’s coming up next.”

Abrey said he knows both Knoblauch and Connor.

“Kris is pretty intense, he really takes his job seriously. Doesn’t matter what he does, he gets right into it and Connor’s a typical 19-year-old,” Abrey explained. “He’s just a big goof.”

Connors father, Brent Ingram, agreed the town has been buzzing with excitement.

“To have them both there at the same time, it’s really caused a stir in town,” Brent said.

“I think Connor mentioned in an interview one day we must be the per capita champion as far as putting people into the World Juniors.”

Team Canada’s first tournament game is on Boxing Day against the Russians.

You can listen to the games live on 980 CJME and 650 CKOM.