Former Viper Goaltender Zaba To Suit Up For Canada:

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Zaba, Kariya to suit up for Canada

Friday, November 5, 2010 - Submitted by BCHL Media

A pair of British Columbia Hockey League graduates will don the red and white of Team Canada in a week's time when a squad of European-based Canadian pros face Switzerland at the annual Swiss Challenge in Kloten.

Representing Canada between the pipes in former Vernon Vipers netminder Matt Zaba. The 27-year old is currently suiting up for Bolzano HC in Italy following three seasons of minor pro hockey in the American and East Coast Hockey Leagues. Zaba made his National Hockey League debut on January 24, 2010 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Zaba was a four-year starter at Colorado College after completing his final season of junior hockey in Vernon. The Yorkton, SK product compiled a 55-42-10 record in the NCAA after being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings out of the Vipers organization in the eighth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Forward Martin Kariya will also represent Canada against Switzerland. Kariya is in his first season with Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss Elite League after a year spent in the KHL with Riga Dynamo. The 29-year old starred for the Victoria Salsa before embarking on a four-year NCAA career at the University of Maine.

The North Vancouver, B.C. native spent his first two years of pro hockey in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Peoria Rivermen. He has also spent time in Finland with Blues and in Switzerland with Langnau.

The Swiss Challenge is a one-game showdown that will give Canadian players an opportunity to impress head coach Mark Messier prior to the roster being announced for the 2010 Spenger Cup, which will take place from December 26th to 31st in Davos, Switzerland.