Burford’s Adam Henrique is having an outstanding year of hockey and it just got a lot better.

The former Brantford 99er and current Windsor Spitfires’ forward has been named to Team Canada’s 22-man final roster for the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championships.

On the phone from Regina, Saskatchewan, Adam said he was ‘excited’ with the news he had achieved a long-term goal.

“This has been one of my goals since day one. It’s one of the top, if not the top highlight of my hockey career so far,” he said.

Adam was given the good news early this morning and made a quick call to his parents, Joe and Teresa, before his day was filled with team duties.

“(Adam) managed to call us this morning for about 30 seconds to tell us the good news,” Joe said. “He was very excited. He was nervous when he was waiting for the selection but now he’s excited, proud and ready to do what he has to in the tournament.”

“This is a heck of a way to end your junior career. If he can stay healthy and make some good contributions … It’s very rewarding.”

Adam’s parents, along with his brothers Michael, Cole and Shay, plan to travel to the tournament to watch their son play, and hopefully spend some family time to celebrate Christmas.

“That’s one of the best Christmas presents we’ve ever got,” Teresa said.

While the tournament is now his immediate focus, Adam said he hoped to continue his good form with the Spitfires and eventually break into the NHL competition with the New Jersey Devils which drafted him in 2008.

“My main concern is Team Canada ... After Spitfires, next year, my main goal is to play in the NHL, but that’s a while away,” he said.

In 2009, Adam’s hockey has taken him to an Ontario Hockey League championship, a MasterCard Memorial Cup victory with the Spitfires as well as two games for Team OHL in the Subway Super Series against the Team Russia juniors.

Add to that his most recent appointment, and the 19-year-old has compiled a strong résumé.

“It’s definitely been my best year so far,” Adam said of 2009.

Adam is in his fourth season with the Spitfires and is currently second on the team, and the OHL, in scoring, with 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 points in 32 games.

The World Junior Hockey Championships will be held in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, and will be Adam’s first appearance in the tournament.

His appointment to the squad comes after he showed well in the junior exhibition games, scoring two goals.

Adam’s Spitfires linemates Taylor Hall and Greg Nemisz plus defenceman Ryan Ellis were also added to the squad.

It is expected that Henrique will centre Hall and Nemisz, something which TSN’s Bob McKenzie has said is remarkable since he could not recall a complete junior line ever playing for Team Canada at the world juniors.