Buncis, Solensky Off To World Junior Championship

Dec 12, 2016

JOHNSTOWN – The Johnstown Tomahawks are proud to announce that captain Filips Buncis and forward Samuel Solensky will represent their respective countries at the 2017 World Junior Championship in Montreal and Toronto.

Buncis will represent his country of Latvia, while Solensky will play for Slovakia. Both countries will compete in the same group as Canada, Russia and the United States.

We are extremely proud of both Filips and Sammy on this outstanding achievement to have the opportunity to represent their countries in such a prestigious tournament like the World Junior Championship,” head coach Mike Letizia said. “They have both been so important to our team this season on the ice. I can’t wait to watch and see how they do against the top junior aged players in the entire world and we wish them nothing but success.”

Buncis has been a key part of the Tomahawks early season success while anchoring the first line with teammates Dalton Hunter and Donovan Ott. He has scored seven goals and added 22 assists in 28 games.

Currently, he is seventh in the league in scoring and third in assists.

In his first season in North America, Solensky is enjoying a productive year for the Tomahawks. The Michalovce, Slovakia native has earned seven goals and 13 assists in 26 games for Johnstown.

Solensky has represented Slovakia in the past as he captained the U18 Slovakia team during the 2016 U18 World Championship in Grand Forks, N.D.

The 2017 World Juniors is schedule to being Monday, Dec. 26 with the United States taking on Buncis and Latvia.

Solensky and Buncis will compete against each other on Friday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The tournament will be broadcast on the NHL Network.

The Tomahawks are on a holiday break but will return to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena on Friday, Dec. 30 to take on the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Saturday, Dec. 31 is the traditional New Year’s Eve hockey game against Fairbanks. The team will give away 2017 Calendar during both games while supplies last.

For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, order online at Ticketmaster.com or stop by the War Memorial box office.