Nick Merkley's dream of playing for Canada at the world junior hockey championship is over.
For the second year in a row, forward has been released from the Canadian junior team's evaluation camp.
Merkley cut on Tuesday after playing for Canada a night earlier in an exhibition game against the U Sports (CIS) team.
Merkley will rejoin the Rockets Friday night in Red Deer.
As of Tuesday, Rockets forward was one of 27 players who remained with the Canadian junior team.
The final five cuts are expected following Wednesday night's exhibition game against the Czech Republic.
Twenty-two players will make Canada's final roster for the world junior hockey championship in Montreal and Toronto.
