Dillon Atkinson will act as Captain for the Canadian '08 team in European Summer Series of hockey competition this summer in Italy.

Port Elgin resident and Grey-Bruce Highlanders hockey player Dillon Atkinson has been selected as the captain of the Canadian ’08 team in the upcoming European Summer Series of Hockey competition taking place this summer in Bolzano, Italy.

In a July 18 media release, the European Summer Series is an international opportunity for selected AAA hockey players to play against some of the best hockey players in the world. The tournament is an invitation only competition and players are individually evaluated and recruited. Other teams at the Tournament will be from USA, Italy, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Sweden.

The rosters for this year’s team is comprised of the very best AAA players from across the US and Canada. The young players will not only have an opportunity to represent their country, they will benefit from receiving the highest level of coaching, development and education available.

The program boasts an impressive list of alumni who have gone on to play in the NHL, CHL, World Juniors and Division-I college hockey.

Ten year old Dillon is the son of Rob and Debra Atkinson of Port Elgin. Debra and Rob along with daughter Kayla, age 12, will accompany Dillon to Italy for the 10 day tournament.

Dillion started his hockey skills development in Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey before moving to the Grey-Bruce AAA Highlanders program two years ago. He has been training with his team members at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre in Brantford for the past eight weeks in preparation for the international competition.

Upon his return from the European Summer Series, Dillon will join the Grey-Bruce Highlanders Minor Pee-Wee team.