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Edmonton Oilers' draft pick Taylor Hall attends a news conference in Edmonton on Monday, July 5, 2010 at Rexall Place. The Oilers have signed the No. 1 draft pick to a three-year, entry-level contract.John Ulan/The Canadian Press

Taylor Hall, taken first overall in the NHL draft this summer, has elected to skip next week's junior camp in St. John's to focus on his bid to make the Edmonton Oilers' roster.

The decision means the former Windsor Spitfires star winger won't be eligible for the world championships, since Hockey Canada insists players must take part in the camp if they are to make the team.

"Ideally we would have liked him to come to the summer camp to keep that option open, based on our policy. But his preparation for the upcoming season is focused on the NHL," said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada senior director of national men's teams.

Hall played for the juniors last season, contributing six goals and six assists in a silver-medal effort.

Windsor defenceman Ryan Ellis is also skipping the camp but will be considered for the junior team because he is a two-time member of the squad.

Spokane defenceman Jared Cowen will be at the camp but not available for contact due to his recovery from mononucleosis. Oshawa defenceman Calvin de Haan, like Cowen a returning veteran, will also be at the camp but not practising due to his recovery from injury.

Added to the camp roster are defencemen Nathan Beaulieu of the Saint John Sea Dogs and Brock Beukeboom of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and forward Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack.

The original 41-man roster was announced last month.

About 35 players will be invited to the junior team's selection camp in December. Head coach Dave Cameron and his assistants will then pick 22 players to represent Canada at the 2011 world junior championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

Canada's run of five gold medals in the tournament ran out this year in Saskatoon, where the host team lost the final to the U.S. in overtime.

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