Yukoner Thomas Scoffin is going to the 2012 World Youth Olympics.

The 16-year-old is one of four athletes selected to represent Canada at the Games in Innsbruck, Austria, in January 2012, the Yukon Curling Association in partnership with the Canadian Curling Association announced today.

The team will also be unveiled live on TSN tonight during the fifth-end break of the Canada vs. Scotland game (6:30 PST) of the World Curling Championship underway in Regina, Sask.

"In curling this would be I think equivalent to being drafted first overall in the NHL,” said Wade Scoffin, president of the YCA and Thomas' father, via phone interview from Regina. "Curling and hockey, those are Canada's number one sports. Even though there isn't a drafting process in our sport, this would be sort of an equivalent to that.”

Thomas was unavailable for comment today because of commitments to the national team, which is currently gathered in the Saskatchewan capital.

Thomas will join Corryn Brown from British Columbia, Derek Oryniak of Manitoba and Emily Gray from Prince Edward Island in representing Canada at the inaugural Winter Games.

Canada will compete against 15 other nations in a mixed-team competition. All athletes will be between 17 and 18 years old.

Thomas completed the application package for the CCA deadline of Dec. 31.

The final part of the process was his performance in the 2011 season, which included a 5-7 record for eighth overall at the M&M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Calgary, Alta., followed by a 12th-place finish at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, N.S.

The Scoffins were on pins and needles awaiting contact from the CCA last month, Wade said.

"We knew that there was going to be a window of when the phone calls were going to be made by the Canadian Curling Association, and so that was certainly a pretty tense and anxious day, guarding the telephone with hope and anticipation that a phone call would come, sort of like that first date situation that we've probably experienced at different times – is there going to be a call or isn't there?”

Thomas has a list of accolades to his credit.

He was a five-time competitor at the M&M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Nationals from 2007-2011.

In 2007 – at 12 years old – he was the youngest skip ever to participate in the Canadian Juniors.

He has also competed at the Arctic Winter Games three times – picking up a gold medal in 2008 and silver medals in 2010 and 2006 – and the Canada Winter Games twice.

Not to mention that he has first class honours at Porter Creek Secondary School – a fact not overlooked by the CCA.

The selection of the athletes was a comprehensive process combining on-ice performances and the formal application process, which included a written essay, academic excellence, involvement in their communities and interest in other athletic and cultural activities.

Thomas had the criteria, and received word three weeks ago that he had been selected but had to keep it a secret.

It was quite a secret, Wade said.

"It's been painful – more so for Thomas – but certainly from a parental perspective to keep it a secret as well, because we're certainly very, very proud and pleased with the opportunity that's come up.”

Wade noted that, as a member of the Yukon High Performance Athletic Assistance Program, Thomas' opportunity really began in 2005, in the lead up to the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, when all the pieces of the puzzle started fitting into place.

"A lot of it is because we are a small jurisdiction and the focus and the emphasis on youth development is there. And the kids that put good effort and discipline and dedication into it, they choose to be competitive, and these are the opportunities that start to present themselves.”