Two goalies with a Barrie connection have been selected to play for Team OHL against an elite team of Russian teens.

Peter Di Salvo of the Barrie Colts and Michael Hutchinson of the London Knights, born in Barrie, will suit up for the provincial squad on Thursday, Nov. 19 in game three of the six-game 2009 Subway Super Series being played at the Barrie Molson Centre.

They will be joined by Colts forward Stefan Della Rovere and coach Marty Williamson. He will serve as an assistant to head coaches Dave Cameron of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and Steve Spott of the Kitchener Rangers.

The local connection doesn’t stop there.

Alexander Burmistrov, one of the leading scorers in the OHL, will play for the Russian squad. Richard Rotenberg, head athletic therapist, and equipment manager Kevin Emo of the Colts will also be employed.

The roster for the game in Barrie, and the second match in Windsor on November 23, were announced at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Players were selected by Al Murray, head scout of Canada’s Men’s National Teams, Peterborough Petes general manager Jeff Twohey, and London Knights general manager Mark Hunter.

Della Rovere was a member of the 2009 gold medal winning National Junior team. Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Nazem Kadri will also play in the Barrie game, as well as a number of NHL first round choices from the 2008 and 2009 drafts.

The Subway Super Series begins on Monday, Nov. 16 in Drummondville, Quebec and concludes on Thursday, Nov. 26 in Kelowna, B.C. It’s a key component of identifying players for Canada’s 2010 National Junior team.

Di Salvo, Della Rovere and Williamson were at the press conference, accompanied by Colts owner Howie Campbell.

“It was a great experience for me to play last year,” said Della Rovere. “I was a late addition to the roster and was the greatest experience of my life, representing my team and the OHL. It was a stepping stone for my career. I will play my type of game. My mindset will be to play a defensive role.”

That task may well include keeping tabs on his Colts teammate, the speedy and crafty Burmistrov.

“I’ll try not to hit him too hard,” Della Rovere joked.

“We can’t underestimate Alexander,” Di Salvo said. “He’s one of the top scorers in the league
Williamson added the match “will be a lot more physical than an all-star game. I know our players will be ready.”

“It’s an honour to be included in the series,” said Campbell. “Anytime we can get a nationally televised game it shows off Barrie and gives us great exposure. It’s a high profile night for our players and a lot of future NHLers. It will be a fun night and a sell-out for sure.”

The Barrie game, and entire series, will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet.

Tickets are $20 and $21 and available at the Colts box office at the Barrie Molson Centre, or by clicking here.