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Islanders Notes: Pokka, Strome, Reinhart, Pelech to WJC camp; Jason Clark to ECHL

Islanders prospects Ryan Strome, Griffin Reinhart and Adam Pelech will all vie for spots on Team Canada, while Jason Clark will get some reps in the ECHL.

By Dominik
"What are you doing in late December? How'd you like to mow my lawn?"
"What are you doing in late December? How'd you like to mow my lawn?"
Bruce Bennett

Three New York Islanders prospects are among the 37 players Hockey Canada has invited to junior selection camp Dec. 11-13 in Canada for consideration for this year's World Juniors Championship tournament. The tournament itself runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ufa, Russia.

In terms of development trajectories, file Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart under "they sure better get an invite," but Adam Pelech's inclusion is a pleasant surprise. Given Pelech's performance and buzz about him thus far in his season with Erie -- and his invitation to and performance in the summer's Canada-Russia Challenge -- his invitation started to become a foregone conclusion. But it's still a very nice upward move for the 2012 third-round pick, who will be in camp with a whole bunch of first-rounders.

Strome was on last year's squad and is a virtual lock for this year, as he leads the OHL in scoring. Reinhart, who is captain of WHL Edmonton, might be competing with Pelech for a spot.

UPDATE: Finland's camp roster has now been posted, and Ville Pokka is on it as a returning member.

Bridgeport News: Clark Assigned to ECHL Gwinett

Separately, the Islanders and Bridgeport Sound Tigers announced that 2010 pick Jason Clark has been loaned to the Gwinett (Georgia) Gladiators, who are the Phoenix Coyotes' ECHL affiliate This is Clark's first pro season, and his playing time thus far has mostly come when injuries opened up a spot. With Casey Cizikas now back healthy, a re-assignment to Gwinett should get Clark some much-needed playing time.

Bridgeport play-by-play man Phil Giubileo has a few notes on the assignment, including a point about the level of competition in the ECHL this season thanks to the trickle effect of the wonderful and glorious NHL lockout.