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Merkley released by Canadian junior team

Kelowna forward unable to crack Hockey Canada's U20 roster for the second year in a row
Brandon Wheat Kings v Kelowna Rockets
Nick Merkley was released Tuesday from the Canadian junior team's evaluation camp.

Nick Merkley's dream of playing for Canada at the world junior hockey championship is over.

For the second year in a row, the Kelowna Rockets forward has been released from the Canadian junior team's evaluation camp.

Merkley cut on Tuesday after playing for Canada a night earlier in an exhibition game against the U Sports (CIS) team.

Merkley will rejoin the Rockets Friday night in Red Deer.

As of Tuesday, Rockets forward Dillon Dube was one of 27 players who remained with the Canadian junior team.

The final five cuts are expected following Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Czech Republic.

Twenty-two players will make Canada's final roster for the world junior hockey championship in Montreal and Toronto.