Owen Sound Attack defenceman Damir Sharipzyanov has been named to the preliminary roster for Team Russia ahead of the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championships.

Sharipzyanov is one of 38 players, including four goalies, 10 defensemen, and 14 forwards to be named to Russia's initial roster.

Playing in his 2nd season with the Attack, Sharipzyanov has two goals and 13 assists in 23 games for 15 points, almost equalling his point total of 16 from last season.

The 18 year old defenceman was born in Nizhnekamsk, Russia and has represented his country internationally previously in the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament where he scored one goal in four games. He recently played one game for Team Russia in the Subway Super Series against teammates Chris Bigras and Zach Nastasiuk, who are both in contention for a roster spot on Team Canada's World Junior Squad.

This years IIHF World Junior Championships will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Montreal and Toronto, with rosters set to be finalized on Christmas Day.

Team Canada is expected to announce its initial roster on Monday, Dec. 1.

Link to full release in Russian: http://fhr.ru/main/news/card/?id_4=9925

Source - Owen Sound Attack