Maritime hockey fans are buzzing after the announcement of Canada’s world junior roster.
Halifax Moosehead teammates Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon were among the 13 forwards chosen to be part of Canada’s National Junior hockey team.
They received a standing ovation at the Halifax Metro Centre Thursday night after it was announced both players were named to the team.
It was an anxious evening for both fans and Mooseheads management as they awaited the official word.
“You know what, we were glued to our phone all night, watching Twitter. We were stressed out,” said Cam Russell, general manager of the Halifax Mooseheads.
“We were nervous, but when we saw that the final forward was cut we knew that both guys had made it, so we were pretty excited.”
Drouin and MacKinnon join Cole Harbour native Sidney Crosby as the only 17-year-olds to make the team during a lockout year.
"We feel this can't be a team selected purely on age," said Steve Spott, the coach of Canada’s world junior team.
"Jonathan and Nathan have proven they can compete at this level. They play against 18 and 19 year olds every night in Halifax. They just re-affirmed what we thought."
MacKinnon and Drouin will join Saint John Sea Dogs forward Jonathan Huberdeau on the roster.
Huberdeau has also been named alternate captain of the team, along with Scott Harrington of the OHL's London Knights.
Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers has been named Canada's team captain.
The 2013 world junior hockey championship starts Dec. 26 in Ufa, Russia
With files from The Canadian Press
