Pride of a province
Who makes the all-Quebec all-star team at Canada’s National Midget Championship?
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April 20, 2015
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As Canada’s National Midget Championship returns to Quebec for just the eighth time in the tournament’s 42 years, it provides an opportunity to take a look back at some of the players who have helped Quebec reach unprecedented levels of success.
After all, no province has appeared in more gold medals games than Quebec (23), its gold medal total (12) is second to only the 14 won by Saskatchewan, and a Quebec team has appeared in the semifinals at each of the last 26 national championships, winning 23 medals.
So who are the best players to represent Quebec at Canada’s National Midget Championship?
The 20 all-stars were selected with the help of two men with close to 70 years of combined service to Quebec hockey: Jos Canale, the long-time coach and technical director of the LHMAAAQ, and Camille Baccanale, the LHMAAAQ’s historian.
They’ve compiled a roster that includes two Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, 13 Stanley Cups and 22 Team Canada appearances, among countless other individual and team accolades.
THE LINE-UP
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GOALTENDERS |
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Patrick Roy |
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Stéphane Fiset |
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DEFENCE |
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Kris Letang |
Philippe Boucher |
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Sylvain Côté |
Michel Petit |
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Bobby Dollas |
David Savard |
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FORWARDS |
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Simon Gagné |
Denis Savard |
Steve Bernier |
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Jonathan Drouin |
Daniel Brière |
Randy McKay |
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René Corbet |
Torrey Mitchell |
Guillaume Latendresse |
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Patrick Poulin |
Benoit Brunet |
Francis Paré |
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GOALTENDERS
STÉPHANE FISET Riverains du Richelieu, 1987 (gold medal)
CANALE SAYS: Much like Roy, Fiset was bombarded in his LHMAAAQ days. Although he did not have the wins to back-up his performance, Fiset was known for his puck-stopping reliability and mental strength.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 390 NHL games | QUE, LA, MTL | 164-153-44, 3.07 GAA, .899 SV%, 16 SO | Stanley Cup (1996) | CHL Goaltender of the Year (1989) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (1989) | IIHF World Championship (1994) | IIHF World Junior Championship (1989, 1990) | Top Goaltender – IIHF World Junior Championship (1990) | All-Star Team – IIHF World Junior Championship (1990)
PATRICK ROY Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 1982 (silver medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Roy was the reason Ste-Foy reached the Air Canada Cup final, establishing LHMAAAQ league records for most regular season wins and ties with a 27-3-10 record, despite facing more shots than any other goaltender.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Hockey Hall of Fame (2006) | 1,029 NHL games | MTL, COL | 551-315-131, 2.54 GAA, .912 SV%, 66 SO | Stanley Cup (1986, 1993, 1996, 2001) | Conn Smythe Trophy (1986, 1993, 2001) | Vezina Trophy (1989, 1990, 1992) | 11-time NHL All-Star | NHL First All-Star Team (1989 1990, 1992, 2002) | NHL Second All-Star Team (1988, 1991) | NHL All-Rookie Team (1986) | Calder Cup (1985) | Olympic Winter Games (1998)
DEFENCE
PHILIPPE BOUCHER Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 1990 (silver medal)
CANALE SAYS: An offensive defenseman who could shoot the puck. Boucher was a hard worker, constantly looking to improve. His 1.83 points per game in the regular season and 2.08 in the playoffs highlights his offensive prowess.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 748 NHL games | BUF, LAK, DAL, PIT | 94G 206A 300P | Stanley Cup (2009) | One-time NHL All-Star | QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1991, 1992) | QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1991)
SYLVAIN CÔTÉ Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 1982 (silver medal) Top Defenceman – 1982 Air Canada Cup
BACCANALE SAYS: The only reason Côté was never named top defenceman in the LHMAAAQ is because the award didn’t exist; he was that good. He had tremendous vision that allowed his to see and make plays that other players could not.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 1,171 NHL games | HFD, WSH, TOR, CHI, DAL | 122G 313A 435P | QMJHL championship (1986) | World Cup of Hockey (1996) | IIHF World Junior Championship (1984, 1986) | All-Star Team – IIHF World Junior Championship (1986)
BOBBY DOLLAS Lions du Lac St-Louis, 1991 (bronze medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Dollas had a very high hockey IQ and could as easily contribute offensively as he could defensively. A big-bodied player, he punished his opponents with heavy body-checks.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 646 NHL games | WPG, QUE, DET, ANA, EDM, PIT, CGY, OTT, SJS | 42G 96A 138P | Calder Cup (1985, 1992) | QMJHL championship (1984) | IIHF World Championship (1994) | IIHF World Junior Championship (1985) | All-Star Team – IIHF World Junior Championship (1985)
KRIS LETANG Gaulois du College Antoine-Girouard, 2003 (silver medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Letang logged an incredible amount of minutes and was a dominant force on the blue-line. A fast-skating and puck-moving defenseman, he had a skill set that resembled one of a forward.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 491 NHL games | PIT | 66G 219A 285P | Stanley Cup (2009) | Two-time NHL All-Star | NHL Second All-Star Team (2013) | QMJHL Defenceman of the Year (2007) | QMJHL Top Defensive Defenceman (2007) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (2006, 2007) | CHL All-Rookie Team (2005) | QMJHL All-Rookie Team (2005) | IIHF World Junior Championship (2006, 2007) | IIHF World U18 Championship (2005)
MICHEL PETIT Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 1980 (silver medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Petit was an exceptional defenseman and was considered a game-changer. He showed outstanding poise, to the point where he seemed more comfortable with than without the puck.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 827 NHL games | VAN, NYR, QUE, TOR, CGY, LAK, TBL, EDM, PHI, PHX | 90G 238A 328P | QMJHL championship (1983) | QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1982) | IIHF World Championship (1990)
DAVID SAVARD Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François, 2007 (bronze medal)
CANALE SAYS: A stay-at-home defenseman with a great shot, Savard would always position himself well on the ice and used his body to his advantage, giving him very good one-on-one skills.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 185 NHL games | CBJ | 18G 40A 58P | QMJHL championship (2010) | CHL Defenceman of the Year (2010) | QMJHL Defenceman of the Year (2010) | QMJHL Top Defensive Defenceman (2010) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (2010)
FORWARDS
STEVE BERNIER Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 2001 (gold medal) Most Valuable Player – 2001 Air Canada Cup
BACCANALE SAYS: Bernier’s size helped the Air Canada Cup MVP dominate defenceman along the boards and he showed leadership playing on an all-15-year-old line with Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Dany Roussin.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 608 NHL games | SJS, BUF, VAN, FLA, NJD | 104G 120A 224P | CHL Second All-Star Team (2003) | QMJHL Second All-Star Team (2003, 2004) | QMJHL All-Rookie Team (2002) | IIHF World U18 Championship (2003)
DANIEL BRIÈRE Intrépide de Gatineau, 1994 (bronze medal) Top Forward – 1994 Air Canada Cup
BACCANALE SAYS: The runaway regular season scoring leader, top scorer in the playoffs and top scorer at the Air Canada Cup (in a Top Forward performance); Brière was, quite simply, a magician with the puck.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 972 NHL games | PHX, BUF, PHI, MTL, COL | 307G 389A 696P | Two-time NHL All-Star | AHL Rookie of the Year (1998) | AHL First All-Star Team (1998) | QMJHL Scoring Champion (1996) | QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1996, 1997) | QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1995) | QMJHL All-Rookie Team (1995) | IIHF World Championship (2003, 2004) | IIHF World Junior Championship (1997)
BENOIT BRUNET Lions du Lac St-Louis, 1985 (gold medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: It seemed like he lived for big occasions and was always clutch. Brunet had a knack for finding the back of the net and made the most of his opportunities.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 529 NHL games | MTL, DAL, OTT | 101G 161A 262P | Stanley Cup (1993) | AHL First All-Star Team (1989) | QMJHL championship (1986, 1988) | QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1987)
RENÉ CORBET Riverains du Richelieu, 1990 (gold medal) Most Valuable Player – 1990 Air Canada Cup
BACCANALE SAYS: An impact player on every shift, the Air Canada Cup MVP was loved by his teammates because he was as good a passer as he was a scorer; he averaged close to three points a game in the LHMAAAQ.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 362 NHL games | QUE, COL, CGY, PIT | 58G 74A 132P | Stanley Cup (1996) | AHL Rookie of the Year (1994) | QMJHL Scoring Champion (1993) | QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1991) | CHL First All-Star Team (1993) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (1993) | QMJHL All-Rookie Team (1991)
JONATHAN DROUIN Lions du Lac St-Louis, 2011 (bronze medal)
CANALE SAYS: A tremendous goal-scoring playmaker with blazing speed and above-average skill, Drouin had the ability to set-up his teammates or finish plays on his own, depending on the situation.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 70 NHL games | TBL | 4G 28A 32P | Memorial Cup (2013) | QMJHL championship (2013) | CHL Player of the Year (2013) | QMJHL MVP (2013) | QMJHL Playoff MVP (2013) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (2013) | IIHF World Junior Championship (2013)
SIMON GAGNÉ Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 1996 (gold medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Despite being just 15 years old, you could tell Gagné was very special; he had soft hands, and a super precise, powerful wrist shot. He was something special, even then.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 822 NHL games | PHI, TBL, LAK, BOS | 291G 310A 601P | Stanley Cup (2012) | Two-time NHL All-Star | NHL All-Rookie Team (2000) | QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1999) | Olympic Winter Games (2002, 2006) | IIHF World Championship (2005) | World Cup of Hockey (2004) | IIHF World Junior Championship (1999)
GUILLAUME LATENDRESSE Riverains du College Charles-Lemoyne, 2002 (bronze medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Latendresse played with an edge as a big-bodied power forward and he stuck up for his teammates, despite being 14 years old. He had good hands and could finish from anywhere around the net.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 341 NHL games | MTL, MIN, OTT | 87G 60A 147P | QMJHL All-Rookie Team (2004) | IIHF World Junior Championship (2006) | IIHF World U18 Championship (2005)
RANDY MCKAY Lions du Lac St-Louis, 1984 (bronze medal)
CANALE SAYS: A true power forward, McKay was a tough and solid player who always found his way to the net. He was a stocky player who was very hard to knock off the puck.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 932 NHL games | DET, NJD, DAL, MTL | 162G 201A 363P | Stanley Cup (1995, 2000) | Calder Cup (1989)
TORREY MITCHELL Riverains du College Charles-Lemoyne, 2002 (bronze medal)
BACCANALE SAYS: Always working to be the best on the ice and fighting for loose pucks, Mitchell was an incredible speedster with very high hockey sense and was amazing in the face-off circle.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 456 NHL games | SJS, MIN, BUF, MTL | 42G 63A 105P | ECAC All-Rookie Team (2005)
FRANCIS PARÉ Riverains du College Charles-Lemoyne, 2004 (silver medal) Most Valuable Player – 2004 National Midget Championship
BACCANALE SAYS: Known for his high-speed skating, Paré scored 67 goals in 53 games. He added another 11 in seven games at the National Midget Championship, good for Top Scorer and MVP awards.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Gagarin Cup (2014) | Calder Cup (2013) | QMJHL MVP (2008) | CHL Second All-Star Team (2008) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (2008)
PATRICK POULIN Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy, 1989 (fourth place)
CANALE SAYS: Poulin was, without question, a power forward; he could hit, and he could score. He was a big graceful skater, a little like Jean Béliveau, but on the wing.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 634 NHL games | HFD, CHI, TBL, MTL | 101G 134A 235P | QMJHL Scoring Champion (1992) | QMJHL First All-Star Team (1992) | QMJHL All-Rookie Team (1990) | IIHF World Junior Championship (1992)
DENIS SAVARD Verdun Leafs, 1975 (silver medal)
BACCANALE & CANALE SAY: A small and electrifying player, Savard had an endless amount of skill and was a tremendous leader. A tireless worker, he would always leave it all on the ice.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Hockey Hall of Fame (2000) | 1,196 NHL games | CHI, MTL, TBL | 473G 865A 1,338P | Stanley Cup (1993) | NHL Second All-Star Team (1983) | Nine-time NHL All-Star
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Markham Waxers
The Central champions have endured the longest road to Membertou and their first-ever appearance on the national stage
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April 20, 2024
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No team spent more time on the Road to the TELUS Cup than the Markham Waxers.
After playing 35 regular-season games across 130 days from October to February, the Waxers grinded through 22 playoff contests in just 57 days, and it was quite a schedule.
Markham played 10 games in 22 days to qualify for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship, which was four games in three days. After a three-week break, it survived a seven-games-in-seven-days marathon at the Central Regional.
And now the Waxers get to do it all over again in Membertou.
Markham finished the regular season strong, winning 11 of its last 12 games to slide into second place in the East Division of the OMHA, and after a loss to the first-place Ajax-Pickering Raiders to open the postseason, it dropped only two of the next 21, with a wild 6-5 win over the Waterloo Wolves the final step towards Cape Breton.
The Waxers got contributions from up and down the lineup, with four players averaging at least a point a game in the regular season and 10 recording at least 20 points, while three hit the point-per-game mark in the playoffs.
Tate Collins and Matthew Johnson were the catalysts up front; they co-led Markham in regular-season scoring with 46 points each before combining for 66 points across 22 postseason games.
It’s the first time the Waxers have qualified for Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship, and the first time the Central representative has come from the OMHA since the Hamilton Reps in 2009.
HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU
Ontario Minor Hockey Association Round robin: 2nd in East Group A – lost to Ajax-Pickering Raiders 4-0, tied North Central Predators 2-2, defeated Kingston Jr. Gaels 1-0, defeated Oshawa Generals 7-3, defeated North Central Predators 5-2, defeated Clarington Toros 8-3, defeated Clarington Toros 6-0, defeated Kingston Jr. Gaels 5-1, tied Ajax-Pickering Raiders 5-5, defeated Oshawa Generals 3-2
OMHA Championship Preliminary round: 2nd in Group 2 – defeated Central Ontario Wolves 9-2, defeated Oakville Rangers 5-1, lost to Burlington Eagles 7-3 Semifinal: defeated Guelph Gryphons 5-3 Final: defeated Burlington Eagles 4-2
Central Regional Preliminary round: 2nd place – defeated Ottawa Jr. 67’s 5-3, defeated Vaughan Kings 6-2, defeated Timmins Majors 10-1, lost to Waterloo Wolves 4-3 OT, defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 7-2 Semifinal: defeated Vaughan Kings 4-3 Final: defeated Waterloo Wolves 6-5
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-T-OTL): 24-8-1-2 (5th in OMHA) Goals for: 157 (7th in OMHA) Goals against: 87 (5th in OMHA) Longest winning streak: 6 (Jan. 6-28) Top 3 scorers: - Matthew Johnson – 25G 21A 46P (15th in OMHA) - Tate Collins – 19G 27A 46P (18th in OMHA) - Philip Govedaris – 14G 24A 38P (35th in OMHA)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 17-3-2 Goals for: 109 Goals against: 57 Top 3 scorers: - Tate Collins – 15G 24A 39P - Matthew Johnson – 17G 10A 27P - Philip Govedaris – 11G 16A 27P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
First appearance
OHL DRAFTED PLAYERS
Lucas Manikis – Flint Firebirds 2023 (10th round, 195th overall) Kyle Butt – Windsor Spitfires 2023 (12th round, 240th overall) Tate Collins – Owen Sound Attack 2023 (14th round, 272nd overall) Eric Sencaj – Barrie Colts 2023 (14th round, 279th overall)
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Cantonniers de Magog
The Quebec champions continued their dynastic run, qualifying for the national championship for the fourth time in five tries
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April 19, 2024
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They’re back.
After a one-year hiatus, the Cantonniers de Magog will once again represent Quebec at the TELUS Cup, making it four appearances in the last five tournaments – 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 (there was no tournament in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
While the regular season was solid but not spectacular – the Cantonniers’ 27 wins in the Ligue de développement du hockey M18 AAA du Québec (LHM18AAAQ) ranked fifth over the last six full seasons, dating back to the start of their title run in 2017-18 – it was the playoffs where Magog was once again at its best.
It swept Châteauguay and downed Lac St-Louis in four before eliminating the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François – the defending TELUS Cup champions – in a semifinal sweep.
The Estacades de Trois-Rivières were the final obstacle between Magog and Membertou, and after a back-and-forth series that went the distance, Mavrik Duhaime scored the Game 5 overtime winner to send the Cantonniers to Cape Breton.
It was scoring by committee during the regular season, with Gabriel Courchesne (24-35—59 – second in the LHM18AAAQ) pacing an offence that featured five players with 30+ points and six who hit double-digits in goals.
Kyan Labbé was terrific in goal, finishing second in goals-against average (1.98) and save percentage (.934) before playing all but 23 minutes of the playoff run.
All that’s left now is to get that elusive final win – the Cantonniers became just the third team to lose back-to-back national finals in 2018 and 2019 (joining the 1994-95 Red Deer Chiefs and 2014-15 Grenadiers de Châteauguay), and made it three in a row with an overtime loss to the Moncton Flyers in 2022.
HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU
Ligue de développement du hockey M18 AAA du Québec Tacks semifinal: defeated Grenadiers de Châteauguay 2-0 (7-2, 10-4) Tacks final: defeated Lions du Lac St-Louis 3-1 (2-6, 4-1, 4-1, 2-1) Semifinal: defeated Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François 3-0 (4-2, 2-1 OT, 2-1) Final: defeated Estacades de Trois-Rivières 3-2 (1-5, 4-3 OT, 1-0, 3-4, 2-1 OT)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 27-9-6 (2nd in LHM18AAAQ) Goals for: 163 (T-1st in LHM18AAAQ) Goals against: 111 (3rd in LHM18AAAQ) Longest winning streak: 3 (Oct. 25-Nov. 1; Dec. 14-Jan. 5; Jan. 12-17) Top 3 scorers: - Gabriel Courchesne – 24G 35A 59P (2nd in LHM18AAAQ) - Antoine Boudreau – 25G 29A 54P (5th in LHM18AAAQ) - Alexis Toussaint – 14G 27A 41P (15th in LHM18AAAQ)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 11-3 Goals for: 48 Goals against: 32 Top 3 scorers: - Marc-Olivier Proteau – 7G 9A 16P - Antoine Boudreau – 5G 9A 14P - Alexis Toussaint – 6G 6A 12P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2022 – Cantonniers de Magog | silver medal | 5-2-0 | 42GF 22GA 2019 – Cantonniers de Magog | silver medal | 6-1-0 | 24GF 8GA 2018 – Cantonniers de Magog | silver medal | 3-3-1 | 24GF 25GA 2000 – Cantonniers de Magog | gold medal | 6-1-0 | 46GF 17GA 1995 – Cantonniers de Magog | 5th place | 2-3-0 | 7GF 12GA
QMJHL DRAFTED PLAYERS
Zachary Plamondon – Charlottetown Islanders 2023 (3rd round, 45th overall) Antoine St-Laurent – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2023 (4th round, 68th overall) Kyan Labbé – Saint John Sea Dogs 2023 (4th round, 72nd overall) Vincent Desmarais – Drummondville Voltigeurs 2023 (5th round, 82nd overall) Alexis Toussaint – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (6th round, 99th overall) Antoine Boudreau – Drummondville Voltigeurs 2022 (10th round, 171st overall) Alexandre Raymond – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2023 (10th round, 171st overall) Marc-Olivier Proteau – Shawinigan Cataractes 2023 (11th round, 191st overall) Anthony Morin – Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2023 (11th round, 193rd overall) Charles-Antoine Adam – Sherbrooke Phoenix 2022 (11th round, 195th overall) Colin Brodeur – Halifax Mooseheads 2023 (13th round, 237th overall) Zack Hansford – Shawinigan Cataractes 2023 (14th round, 245th overall) Mavrik Duhaime – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (14th round, 246th overall)
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Kensington Wild
The Atlantic champions completed a monumental turnaround, culminating with a historic appearance on the national stage
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April 18, 2024
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The Kensington Wild will have the shortest trip to Membertou for the 2024 TELUS Cup, but they’ve come an awfully long way to get there.
The post-pandemic years have been tough on the Wild, who won just 18 of 73 regular-season games across three seasons from 2020-23 and suffered a pair of playoff sweeps at the hands of the Charlottetown Knights (there was no postseason in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign).
But then came 2023-24.
Kensington finished second in the New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island U18 Major Hockey League (NBPEIU18MHL) and led the league in goal scoring, earning almost as many wins before the calendar turned to 2024 (13) as it did the previous two full seasons (17).
The Wild got their revenge on Charlottetown in the P.E.I. final, sweeping aside the Knights in four straight, and cruised through the Atlantic Regional with four wins and an overtime loss, capped by a 10-0 romp over the Halifax Macs in the regional final.
Ethan Dickson led the charge offensively, sitting atop the NBPEIU18MHL scoring chart with league-leading totals in goals (31), assists (44) and points (75), 20 points more than the next-highest scorer and 26 more than any other Wild skater. Between the pipes, George Gallant fashioned a league-best .929 save percentage across 17 appearances.
It’s the first time a team from Prince Edward Island has won the Atlantic championship since 2004, and the first time a team from Kensington will play for Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship since 1976.
HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU
New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island U18 Major Hockey League P.E.I. final: defeated Charlottetown Knights 4-0 (5-1, 5-4, 6-1, 6-2)
Atlantic Regional Preliminary round: 1st place – defeated Halifax Macs 3-2, lost to Dartmouth Majors 2-1 OT, defeated Moncton Flyers 6-2, defeated Pinnacle Growlers 7-0 Final: defeated Halifax Macs 10-0
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 21-10-4 (2nd in NBPEIU18MHL) Goals for: 180 (1st in NBPEIU18MHL) Goals against: 120 (2nd in NBPEIU18MHL) Longest winning streak: 5 (Sept. 23-Oct. 14) Top 3 scorers: - Ethan Dickson – 31G 44A 75P (1st in NBPEIU18MHL) - Liam Arsenault – 15G 34A 49P (4th in NBPEIU18MHL) - Eddy Doyle – 15G 23A 38P (11th in NBPEIU18MHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 8-1 Goals for: 49 Goals against: 14 Top 3 scorers: - Ethan Dickson – 9G 13A 22P - Liam Arsenault – 9G 5A 14P - Derek Andrews – 4G 8A 12P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
1976 – Kensington | 13th place | 0-6-0 | 4GF 47GA
QMJHL DRAFTED PLAYERS
Eddy Doyle – Halifax Mooseheads 2023 (4th round, 75th overall) Michael Arsenault –Drummondville Voltigeurs 2022 (6th round, 102nd overall) Ethan Dickson –Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2022 (13th round, 234th overall)
NES: Hockey Canada runs training camp for events
Hockey Canada brought host committees from across the country together for its National Events Seminar.
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Brandon Wheat Kings
The West champions have been all but unbeatable, scoring almost at will in a dominant run to Membertou
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April 17, 2024
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It’s not often an overtime loss in a mid-November game is notable.
But when that’s the only blemish on your record through the regular season and playoffs, it bears mentioning.
The Brandon Wheat Kings were simply dominant in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League (MBU18AAAHL) this season, posting a record of 43 wins and an overtime loss while outscoring opponents by an otherworldly 270-82 (the next-best totals were 193 GF and 120 GA).
Their run to the TELUS Cup – their first appearance since winning it all in 2004 – included a streak of 42 consecutive victories after that Nov. 10 loss to the Southwest Cougars, before the Wheat Kings dropped a meaningless game to the Thunder Bay Kings to close out the preliminary round at the West Regional, their place in the regional final already secured.
They were challenged in that final by the defending champion Saskatoon Blazers, but an overtime goal from Brady Turko sent the Wheat Kings to Membertou with a 1-0 win.
Turko was the trigger man all season long for Brandon, scoring 41 goals in 41 games during the regular season before adding 13 in 13 playoff contests. He rode shotgun alongside Jaxon Jacobson, the No. 5 pick by Brandon in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, who put up 106 points (37-69—106) in 35 games.
But let’s not forget the guys at the other end of the ice. Matthew Michta and Burke Hood have split the goaltending duties right down the middle, with both posting sub-2.00 goals-against averages in the regular season and a combined six shutouts.
Brandon will look to end a dry spell for its region. The most successful region in tournament history (with 17 national titles since 1984), West teams have only one gold medal (and one gold medal game appearance) in the last seven tournaments, by Notre Dame in 2018.
HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU
Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League Quarterfinal: defeated Eastman Selects 3-0 (10-2, 7-0, 9-2) Semifinal: defeated Pembina Valley Hawks 3-0 (6-1, 4-1, 4-2) Final: defeated Winnipeg Wild 3-0 (5-2, 4-1, 4-3 OT)
West Regional Preliminary round: 1st place – defeated Saskatoon Blazers 4-1, defeated Winnipeg Wild 3-1, lost to Thunder Bay Kings 5-3 Final: defeated Saskatoon Blazers 1-0 OT
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 43-0-1 (1st in MBU18AAAHL) Goals for: 270 (1st in MBU18AAAHL) Goals against: 82 (1st in MBU18AAAHL) Longest winning streak: 31 (Nov. 11-Feb. 25) Top 3 scorers: - Jaxon Jacobson – 37G 69A 106P (1st in MBU18AAAHL) - Brady Turko – 41G 49A 90P (2nd in MBU18AAAHL) - Ethan Stewart – 29G 35A 64P (3rd in MBU18AAAHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 12-1 Goals for: 64 Goals against: 21 Top 3 scorers: - Jaxon Jacobson – 12G 16A 28P - Brady Turko – 13G 13A 26P - Colten Worthington – 9G 7A 16P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2004 – Brandon Wheat Kings | gold medal | 4-2-1 | 26GF 20GA 1994 – Brandon Wheat Kings | 6th place | 0-5-0 | 11GF 25GA 1980 – Brandon | 9th place | 1-4-0 | 13GF 23GA
WHL DRAFTED PLAYERS
Jaxon Jacobson – Brandon Wheat Kings 2023 (1st round, 5th overall) Easton Odut – Brandon Wheat Kings 2022 (2nd round, 34th overall) Nolan Saunderson – Spokane Chiefs 2023 (5th round, 90th overall) Brady Turko – Brandon Wheat Kings 2022 (5th round, 97th overall) Burke Hood – Vancouver Giants 2022 (6th round, 119th overall) Kaeson Fisher – Everett Silvertips 2022 (6th round, 124th overall) Owen Wallace – Prince Albert Raiders 2021 (7th round, 138th overall) Jonah Lemoine – Prince Albert Raiders 2023 (9th round, 178th overall) Colten Worthington – Saskatoon Blades 2022 (11th round, 233rd overall) Grady Taylor – Lethbridge Hurricanes 2023 (13th round, 278th overall)
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Calgary Buffaloes
Very good at both ends of the ice, the Pacific champions are bringing a 200-foot game to Membertou
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April 16, 2024
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Defence wins championships, but that doesn’t mean you can sleep on the Calgary Buffaloes in the offensive end.
The Buffaloes allowed less than three goals a game in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) regular season and gave up only 25 in 12 playoff games, capped by a shutout of the Vancouver NE Chiefs – a team that averaged almost six goals a game in its run to the B.C. title – in the deciding Game 2 of the Pacific Regional.
But again, let’s not forget what Calgary can do with the puck.
The Buffaloes paced the AEHL with 199 goals in 38 games, scoring 29 – almost a goal a game – more than second-best St. Albert. Cooper Williams and Caleb Matthews were the dynamic duo up front; Williams’ 29 goals led the league, while Matthews topped the loop with 50 assists and 68 points.
In all, seven Buffaloes averaged at least a point a game and eight reached double-digits in goals.
Calgary took control of the AEHL South Division with a season-high nine-game win streak from Dec. 20 to Jan. 28 that saw it outscore its opponents by a combined 56-16.
It faced early adversity in the playoffs, dropping the opener of its best-of-three series against the Red Deer Chiefs, but has lost just once in 11 games since, clinching a ninth appearance at the TELUS Cup.
The Buffaloes have never failed to reach the semifinals at Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship and have taken home a medal from six of their eight trips, including a national championship in 1989.
HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU
Alberta Elite Hockey League Quarterfinal: defeated Red Deer Chiefs 2-1 (3-5, 5-1, 6-2) Semifinal: defeated Calgary Flames 3-1 (6-1, 2-5, 3-1, 5-2) Final: defeated Sherwood Park Kings 3-0 (4-3 2OT, 2-1 3OT, 6-2)
Pacific Regional Final: defeated Vancouver NE Chiefs 2-0 (3-2, 1-0)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL-T): 27-9-0-2 (1st in AEHL) Goals for: 199 (1st in AEHL) Goals against: 106 (2nd in AEHL) Top 3 scorers: - Caleb Matthews – 18G 50A 68P (1st in AEHL) - Cooper Williams – 29G 22A 51P (5th in AEHL) - Christian Stephanson – 17G 28A 35P (13th in AEHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 10-2 Goals for: 46 Goals against: 25 Top 3 scorers: - Caleb Matthews – 11G 14A 25P - Cooper Williams – 8G 7A 15P - Brayden Gourley – 5G 7A 12P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2019 – Calgary Buffaloes | 4th place | 3-4-0 | 25GF 23GA 2009 – Calgary Buffaloes | silver medal | 3-2-2 | 29GF 21GA 2008 – Calgary Buffaloes | 4th place | 2-4-1 | 17GF 22GA 2006 – Calgary Buffaloes | silver medal | 4-3-0 | 30GF 25GA 1998 – Calgary Buffaloes | bronze medal | 5-1-1 | 41GF 26GA 1989 – Calgary Buffaloes | gold medal | 5-2-0 | 26GF 18GA 1987 – Calgary Buffaloes | bronze medal | 4-3-0 | 28GF 21GA 1985 – Calgary Buffaloes | bronze medal | 3-3-1 | 25GF 23GA
WHL DRAFTED PLAYERS
Rhys Jamieson – Everett Silvertips 2023 (2nd round, 32nd overall) Cooper Williams – Saskatoon Blades 2023 (2nd round, 41st overall) Townes Kozicky – Prince George Cougars 2023 (2nd round, 44th overall) Caleb Matthews – Victoria Royals 2022 (3rd round, 91st overall) Christian Stephanson – Winnipeg ICE 2022 (7th round, 154th overall) Colten Scott – Seattle Thunderbirds 2022 (11th round, 236th overall)
TELUS: TOR 6-CHA 2 Post-Game (Gold Medal)
Ryan Bonsteel scored two of the Young Nationals’ four first-period goals, Dalton Ewing made 35 saves and Toronto won its first n
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Sydney Rush
After more than seven weeks on the sidelines, the hosts are ready to resume their quest for a home-ice national title
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April 15, 2024
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The long wait is almost over for the Sydney Rush. And it’s been long in more ways than one.
Almost five years after the 2021 TELUS Cup was first awarded to the Rush, the puck will finally drop on Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship at the Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre, thanks to the cancellation of the 2021 tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sydney did participate as the “host” team in 2022, but that tournament was played in Okotoks, Alberta, more than 5,000 kilometres from Cape Breton.
So the wait to welcome the nation has been a significant one.
But when the tournament gets underway on April 22, it will also have been a long wait for the Rush to resume their season; Sydney was unceremoniously dumped from the postseason on March 3, swept by the Valley Wildcats in the first round of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League (NSU18MHL) playoffs.
That’s a 51-day break between games, which can be a good or bad thing.
The Rush played to a 12-20-6 record in the NSU18MHL during the regular season, good for sixth in the eight-team loop. They potted 118 goals in 38 games, the fifth most, but allowed a league-high 183, plus 17 in three playoff games.
Two players remain on the Sydney roster from the 2022 TELUS Cup team – leading scorer Tyler Seymour (17-24—41 in 38 GP) and captain Keegan O’Neill.
The Rush are looking to end a very long drought for host teams; not since the Calgary Northstars in 1991 has the hometown side been the last team standing, and only six in the 30 tournaments since then (most recently the Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe last year) have reached the gold medal game.
HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU
Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League Quarterfinal: lost to Valley Wildcats 3-0 (2-6, 4-6, 3-5)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 12-20-6 (6th in NSU18MHL) Goals for: 118 (5th in NSU18MHL) Goals against: 106 (8th in NSU18MHL) Longest winning streak: 4 (Jan. 28-Feb. 17) Top 3 scorers: - Tyler Seymour – 17G 24A 41P (8th in NSU18MHL) - Keegan O’Neill – 12G 20A 32P (15th in NSU18MHL) - Malcolm MacDonald – 14G 17A 31P (17th in NSU18MHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 0-3 Goals for: 9 Goals against: 17 Top 3 scorers: - Brody Ford – 2G 2A 4P - Rory Pilling – 2G 2A 4P - Braylan Fitzgerald – 1G 2A 3P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
2022 – Sydney Rush | 5th place | 1-4-0 | 13GF 34GA 1999 – Cape Breton Jeans Experts | 5th place | 1-4-0 | 10GF 29GA 1982 – Cape Breton Colonels | bronze medal | 3-4-1 | 26GF 37GA 1978 – Sydney Steelers | 12th place | 1-4-0 | 15GF 32GA 1975 – Sydney Legionnaires | 10th place | 1-5-0 | 12GF 28GA
QMJHL DRAFTED PLAYERS
Rory Pilling – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (2nd round, 34th overall) Jonathan Coombs – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (13th round, 228th overall)
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Central Regional
Waxers. Jr. 67’s. Greyhounds. Majors. Kings. Wolves. Who wins their way to Membertou?
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April 8, 2024
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Fifty-two teams call the Central Region home, but only six remain in the hunt for the region’s berth at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia – the Markham Waxers, Ottawa Jr. 67’s, Timmins Majors, Vaughan Kings, Waterloo Wolves and host Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
All six are relatively fresh faces, with the Greyhounds the most recent regional competitors, in 2022. They own nine TELUS Cup appearances between them – six of those belong to Sault Ste. Marie – but none have played on the national stage since Ottawa won silver in 2013.
The field has a bit of a ‘Cinderella’ feel to it – only the Jr. 67’s were the best regular-season team in their league – although all six teams have earned their spots; the five league champions finished a combined 40-13-8 in the playoffs, and even the host Greyhounds pushed Timmins to overtime in the GNU18L semifinals.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)
2023 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens (4th place) 2022 – Mississauga Reps (4th place) 2019 – Toronto Young Nationals (gold medal) 2018 – Toronto Young Nationals (4th place) 2017 – Mississauga Rebels (bronze medal)
MARKHAM WAXERS OMHA CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 24-8-2-1 (5th in OMHA) Goals for: 157 Goals against: 87 Leading scorer: Matthew Johnson (25G 21A 46P)
Playoff record: 11-2-2 Goals for: 68 Goals against: 37 Leading scorer: Tate Collins (9G 9A 18P)
ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL OMHA Playoffs Round robin: 2nd in East Group A – lost to Ajax-Pickering Raiders 4-0, tied North Central Predators 2-2, defeated Kingston Jr. Gaels 1-0, defeated Oshawa Generals 7-3, defeated North Central Predators 5-2, defeated Clarington Toros 8-3, defeated Clarington Toros 6-0, defeated Kingston Jr. Gaels 5-1, tied Ajax-Pickering Raiders 5-5, defeated Oshawa Generals 3-2
OMHA Championship Preliminary round: 2nd in Group 2 – defeated Central Ontario Wolves 9-2, defeated Oakville Rangers 5-1, lost to Burlington Eagles 7-3 Semifinal: defeated Guelph Gryphons 5-3 Final: defeated Burlington Eagles 4-2
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
OTTAWA JR. 67’S HEO CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 24-4-2 (1st in HEO) Goals for: 141 Goals against: 70 Leading scorer: Dylan Turcotte (28G 21A 49P)
Playoff record: 7-2-1 Goals for: 37 Goals against: 21 Leading scorer: Dylan Turcotte (7G 8A 15P)
ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL Semifinal: defeated OHA Mavericks 3-1-1 (-3, 3-2, 3-2, 0-2, 1-1) Final: defeated Upper Canada Cyclones 4-1 (5-3, 2-4, 4-2, 8-1, 5-1)
Last national championship appearance: 2013 (silver medal) Total national championship appearances: 1 (2013)
SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS HOST
Regular season record: 20-13-3 (3rd in GNU18L) Goals for: 136 Goals against: 106 Leading scorer: Sebastian Dos Reis (19G 26A 45P)
Playoff record: 2-2-1 Goals for: 14 Goals against: 15 Leading scorer: Camden Cowan (3G 4A 7P)
ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL Preliminary round: 2nd place – lost to Sudbury U18 Wolves 4-1, defeated Timmins Majors 3-2, tied New Liskeard Cubs 3-3, defeated Sudbury U16 Wolves 3-1 Semifinal: lost to Timmins Majors 5-4 OT
Last national championship appearance: 2013 (5th place) Total national championship appearances: 6 (1980, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2013)
TIMMINS MAJORS GNU18L CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 23-9-3 (2nd in GNU18L) Goals for: 144 Goals against: 121 Leading scorer: Ian Lachance (26G 48A 74P)
Playoff record: 4-1-1 Goals for: 15 Goals against: 11 Leading scorer: Edan Etheridge (4G 6A 10P)
ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL Preliminary round: 3rd place – defeated New Liskeard Cubs 3-1, lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 3-2, defeated Sudbury U18 Wolves 2-1, tied Sudbury U16 Wolves 1-1 Semifinal: defeated Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds 5-4 OT Final: defeated Sudbury U18 Wolves 2-1
Last national championship appearance: 2002 (5th place) Total national championship appearances: 1 (2002)
VAUGHAN KINGS GTHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 22-7-7 (2nd in GTHL) Goals for: 104 Goals against: 57 Leading scorer: unavailable
Playoff record: 9-5 Goals for: 42 Goals against: 32 Leading scorer: unavailable
ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated North York Rangers 3-1 (2-3, 3-1, 5-2, 4-1) Semifinal: defeated Toronto Young Nationals 3-2 (2-5, 3-2, 3-2, 3-4, 4-1) Final: defeated Mississauga Senators 3-2 (2-4, 2-3, 2-0, 3-2, 4-2)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
WATERLOO WOLVES ALLIANCE CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 24-10-1 (3rd in Alliance) Goals for: 153 Goals against: 80 Leading scorer: unavailable
Playoff record: 7-1-3 Goals for: 35 Goals against: 19 Leading scorer: unavailable
ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Huron-Perth Lakers 2-1-1 (5-3, 3-3, 0-1, 3-1) Semifinal: defeated Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 3-0 (3-0, 4-2, 4-1) Final: defeated Lambton Jr. Sting 2-0-2 (2-2, 4-3, 5-1, 2-2)
Last national championship appearance: 2003 (5th place) Total national championship appearances: 1 (2003)
TELUS: REG 6-STR 3 Post-Game (Bronze Medal)
Arthur Miller led the way with two goals and an assist, Owen Sillinger added a goal and a helper and the Pat Canadians took a bi
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Pacific Regional
Buffaloes vs. Chiefs. Who wins their way to Membertou?
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April 5, 2024
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There are two teams left in the westernmost region of U18 hockey – either the Calgary Buffaloes or Vancouver NE Chiefs will represent the Pacific at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.
Both teams have made very recent trips to the Men’s U18 National Club Championship – the Chiefs were the Pacific representatives two years ago, finishing in sixth place, while the Buffaloes reached the bronze medal game in 2019.
Calgary and Vancouver NE skate into the best-of-three regional series with plenty of momentum, coming off series sweeps in their respective league finals and outscoring their opponents by a combined total of 21-7.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)
2023 – Calgary Flames (6th place) 2022 – Vancouver NE Chiefs (6th place) 2019 – Calgary Buffaloes (4th place) 2018 – Lethbridge Hurricanes (bronze medal) 2017 – Leduc Oil Kings (5th place)
CALGARY BUFFALOES AEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 27-9-0-2 (1st in AEHL) Goals for: 199 Goals against: 106 Leading scorer: Caleb Matthews (18G 50A 68P)
Playoff record: 8-2 Goals for: 42 Goals against: 23 Leading scorer: Caleb Matthews (11G 12A 23P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Red Deer Chiefs 2-1 (3-5, 5-1, 6-2) Semifinal: defeated Calgary Flames 3-1 (6-1, 2-5, 3-1, 5-2) Final: defeated Sherwood Park Kings 3-0 (4-3 2OT, 2-1 3OT, 6-2)
Last national championship appearance: 2019 (4th place) Total national championship appearances: 8 (1985, 1987, 1989, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2019)
VANCOUVER NE CHIEFS BCEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 28-4-2-2 (2nd in BCEHL) Goals for: 197 Goals against: 86 Leading scorer: Lucas McDonald (32G 26A 58P)
Playoff record: 6-1 Goals for: 33 Goals against: 17 Leading scorer: Jack Schierau (5G 7A 12P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Greater Vancouver Canadians 2-0 (6-2, 7-2) Semifinal: defeated Cariboo Cougars 2-1 (6-5 OT, 1-4, 4-3 OT) Final: defeated Okanagan Rockets 2-0 (5-0, 4-1)
Last national championship appearance: 2022 (6th place) Total national championship appearances: 1 (2022)
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: Quebec Regional
Cantonniers vs. Estacades. Who wins their way to Membertou?
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April 4, 2024
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There are two teams left in La Belle Province – either the Cantonniers de Magog or Estacades de Trois-Rivières will represent Quebec at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.
While a team from Trois-Rivieres hasn’t competed for Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship in 48 years, the Cantonniers are no stranger to the big stage; they’re in search of their fourth trip to nationals in the last five tournaments, having lost in the gold medal game in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Whoever earns the spot in Membertou will be looking to make it back-to-back national titles for the region; one year ago, the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (who Magog eliminated in the LHM18AAAQ semifinals) ended a 22-year gold medal drought by beating the host Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe in an all-Quebec final.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)
2023 – Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (gold medal) 2022 – Cantonniers de Magog (silver medal) 2019 – Cantonniers de Magog (silver medal) 2018 – Cantonniers de Magog (silver medal) 2017 – Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (silver medal)
Regular season record: 27-9-6 (2nd in LHM18AAAQ) Goals for: 163 Goals against: 111 Leading scorer: Gabriel Courchesne (24G 35A 59P)
Playoff record: 8-1 Goals for: 37 Goals against: 19 Leading scorer: Marc-Olivier Proteau (5G 7A 12P)
ROAD TO THE QUEBEC REGIONAL Tacks semifinal: defeated Grenadiers de Chateauguay 2-0 (7-2, 10-4) Tacks final: defeated Lions du Lac St-Louis 3-1 (2-6, 4-1, 4-1, 2-1) Semifinal: defeated Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François 3-0 (4-2, 2-1 OT, 2-1)
Last national championship appearance: 2022 (silver medal) Total national championship appearances: 5 (1995, 2000, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Regular season record: 25-15-2 (6th in LHM18AAAQ) Goals for: 158 Goals against: 131 Leading scorer: Jérémy Loranger (30G 34A 64P)
Playoff record: 8-2 Goals for: 35 Goals against: 19 Leading scorer: Chad Lygitsakos (5G 10A 15P)
ROAD TO THE QUEBEC REGIONAL Thaïzone semifinal: defeated Chevaliers de Lévis 2-0 (4-2, 5-1) Thaïzone final: defeated Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François 3-1 (4-5, 3-1, 3-1, 1-0) Semifinal: defeated Vikings de Saint-Eustache 3-1 (2-3 OT, 4-1, 6-3, 3-2 OT)
Last national championship appearance: 1976 (9th place) Total national championship appearances: 1 (1976)
TELUS: TOR 3-REG 1 Post-Game (Semifinal)
Nolan Regan a inscrit le but de la victoire à la septième minute de la troisième période et les Young Nationals ont confirmé leu
Road to the 2024 TELUS Cup: West Regional
Wheat Kings. Blazers. Kings. Wild. Who wins their way to Membertou?
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April 4, 2024
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There are plenty of familiar faces at the West Regional. The host Winnipeg Wild and Thunder Bay Kings are back for a third year in a row, joined by the defending champion Saskatoon Blazers, who are looking to earn a return trip to the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.
The Brandon Wheat Kings round out the quartet, and what a season it’s been for the Manitoba champions; including the playoffs, the Wheat Kings have 52 wins and a single overtime loss, and they’re unbeaten since Nov. 10.
The three league champions are all coming in riding major playoff success – Brandon, Saskatoon and Thunder Bay claimed their titles without losing a game in regulation, going 20-0-1 in the postseason.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)
2023 – Saskatoon Blazers (bronze medal) 2022 – Notre Dame Hounds (5th place) 2019 – Tisdale Trojans (bronze medal) 2018 – Notre Dame Hounds (gold medal) 2017 – Regina Pat Canadians (4th place)
BRANDON WHEAT KINGS MBU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 43-0-1 (1st in MBU18AAAHL) Goals for: 270 Goals against: 82 Leading scorer: Jaxon Jacobson (37G 69A 106P)
Playoff record: 9-0 Goals for: 53 Goals against: 14 Leading scorer: Jaxon Jacobson (12G 11A 23P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Eastman Selects 3-0 (10-2, 7-0, 9-2) Semifinal: defeated Pembina Valley Hawks 3-0 (6-1, 4-1, 4-2) Final: defeated Winnipeg Wild 3-0 (5-2, 4-1, 4-3 OT)
Last national championship appearance: 2004 (gold medal) Total national championship appearances: 3 (1980, 1994, 2004)
SASKATOON BLAZERS SMAAAHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 34-7-3 (1st in SMAAAHL) Goals for: 194 Goals against: 116 Leading scorer: Dayne Beuker (41G 43A 84P)
Playoff record: 9-1 Goals for: 40 Goals against: 20 Leading scorer: Raiden Zacharias (6G 8A 14P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Estevan Bears 3-1 (4-1, 4-0, 2-3 OT, 5-4) Semifinal: defeated Tisdale Trojans 3-0 (3-2, 3-0, 6-3) Final: defeated Regina Pat Canadians 3-0 (4-1, 4-3 OT, 5-3)
Last national championship appearance: 2023 (bronze medal) Total national championship appearances: 2 (1974, 2023)
THUNDER BAY KINGS HNO CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 5-25-6 (12th in GTHL) Goals for: 95 Goals against: 154 Leading scorer: unavailable
Playoff record: 2-0 Goals for: 14 Goals against: 5 Leading scorer: unavailable
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL HNO championship: defeated Kenora Thistles 2-0 (11-3, 3-2 OT)
Last national championship appearance: 2019 (6th place) Total national championship appearances: 9 (1975, 1976, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2019)
WINNIPEG WILD HOST
Regular season record: 27-13-4 (3rd in MBU18AAAHL) Goals for: 184 Goals against: 120 Leading scorer: Carter Kingerski (22G 30A 52P)
Playoff record: 6-6 Goals for: 36 Goals against: 34 Leading scorer: Carter Kingerski (5G 10A 15P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Interlake Lightning 3-2 (2-4, 2-1, 1-4, 8-1, 2-1) Semifinal: defeated Winnipeg Thrashers 3-1 (3-6, 5-1, 2-1 OT, 5-2) Final: lost to Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0 (2-5, 1-4, 3-4 OT)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
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Jason La Rose - April 20, 2024
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