Brendan Gallagher's breakthrough sophomore season with the Vancouver Giants has got the attention of Hockey Canada.

The recently turned 18-year-old from Tsawwassen, who finished with 81 points, including 41 goals, this past season in the Western Hockey League, is among 41 skaters invited to this summer's National Junior Team Development Camp in St. John's Newfoundland.

Gallagher, who also added 21 points in 16 playoff games, is one of 24 forwards to be identified and is among 18 WHL players who will be headed to the Maritimes.

The players, born in 1991 or 1992, were selected by Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray, in consultation with head coach Dave Cameron and assistant coaches Bob Boughner, Ryan Huska and André Tourigny. Murray evaluated these players over the course of the 2009-10 season, following these players along with numerous other candidates for the program during league play, as well as during international competitions for both the U18 and junior programs.

"There are a number of tremendously talented players across Canada in this age group, and the players named will have a terrific opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best the country has to offer," said Murray. "We are looking forward to a very competitive, high-energy camp.

The invitation list includes five players from Canada's silver medal-winning team at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship -- Jared Cowen, Calvin de Haan, Ryan Ellis, Taylor Hall and Brayden Schenn.

Gallagher will be looking to join some elite company as just the third ever player in the history of South Delta Minor Hockey to play for the national junior team. Brent Seabrook (Chicago Blackhawks) and Brandon McMillan (Anahiem Ducks) are the others.

Icing....

At 174, Gallagher is one of four South Delta Minor alumni included in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final rankings of North America Skaters for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

The list includes: 93, Josh Nichols (forward, Saskatoon, WHL) and 172, Spencer Humphries (defenceman, Westside, BCHL). Sean Bonar (Penticton, BCHL) ranks 21st among North American goaltenders.

The draft goes June 25-26 in Los Angeles.