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Channell benefiting from dual citizenship Continued from page 31 33 · Thursday, December 22, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com We're putting life-saving AED's in more public places in your community. Help the Oakville Blades BEAT CANCER! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT.TM Meco Cup could be a prelude to another celebration in March. Patrolling the blueline with Cudmore in Germany will be Mellissa Channell, a player who could have just as easily been a rival rather than a teammate. Channell grew up in Michigan and has attended developmental camps for USA Hockey. Her father, Craig, a scout for the Minnesota Wild, is Canadian, though, so she has dual citizenship. So despite playing all her minor hockey up until this season in the U.S., she decided to play for Canada. Her reason, however unpopular back home, is simple. "They're better," she said. In order to represent Canada, Channell had to play two seasons in Canada. She moved in with her uncle and attended Blakelock last year. She's now playing with the Burlington Barracudas of the Provincial Women's Hockey League, where she is third in the league among blueliners with 14 points in 17 games. Channell's introduction to the national program was in August when she played for Canada's under-18 team in a three-game series against -- who else -- the United States. After dropping the opener, Canada won the next two to take the series. "It was fun playing against some of the girls I had played with before," she said, before adding with a smile, "although they haven't liked me too much since I switched." Channell then represented Ontario at last month's national under-18 championships, helping Ontario claim the gold medal. "That was exciting, especially since my team, the last two years in the States finished second (at nationals)," she said. Having just turned 17 this month, Channell will be the youngest player on the Canadian team, and one of just two not currently playing NCAA hockey. -- Herb Garbutt can be followed on Twitter at @Herbgarbutt www.heartandstroke.ca Support Cancer Research Support Youth Development Support Your Community! Get your 2012 Oakville Blades Jr. A Hockey Raffle Tickets TODAY! Pin i k In I Th T e Rin i k Game Jan. 27/ 7/2012