By Mitch Bach

Dahlstrom, Rubins travel to World Junior camps

Dec 16, 2016 | 2:50 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —The Medicine Hat Tigers will be without one of their offensive weapons in the final games before the Christmas break, and potentially into the new year.
Tigers forward John Dahlstrom, selected during the second-round of the 2016 WHL Import Draft travelled to Kingston, Ontario on Thursday to join Team Sweden for its World Junior Hockey Championship selection camp.
“It’s a big honour to play for Sweden, it’s always a big honour to play for your country,” said Dahlstrom following Tuesday’s game.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to play against the best players in the world and have the opportunity to show myself.”
Dahlstrom has 16 goals and 33 points in his rookie WHL season, and is tied for fifth  in scoring on the team.
Dahlstrom has represented Sweden several times during his career, taking part in last year’s World Juniors, recording two points in three games. He has also participated in the U17 and U18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament.
Dahlstrom, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, says this year’s tournament will be different, as it is being played on Canadian soil.
“It’s a huge thing to play here,” he said. “It’s not the same thing to play in Europe, I think.
“You see all the media stuff around, and all the people love it, so it’s a big event.”
The Tigers first-round Import Draft pick Kristians Rubins also received an invite to play for Team Latvia during the World Juniors, and flew out to Kingston on Friday. Rubins, currently recovering from a dislocated shoulder, briefly took to the ice wearing a no-contat jersey on Thursday before team practice, but there is still no timetable for his return.
Rubins, who has two goals and 11 assists during the season, is hoping to dress for Latvia’s first game of the tournament on Boxing Day.
The Tigers wrap up their final games before the Christmas break this weekend, both games at the Canalta Centre. On Friday, the Tigers host the Kamloops Blazers, who sit fourth in the WHL Western Conference at 7:30 p.m. On saturday, the Tigers host the Red Deer Rebels at 7:30 p.m. before taking a nine day break. Bob Ridley will have the play-by-play for both games on CHAT 94.5 FM.