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The year of the underdog
Few expected the Lions du Lac St-Louis and Saskatoon Contacts to compete for a TELUS Cup after disappointing regular seasons, but they’ve won their way to Quispamsis
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April 19, 2016
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Just how unlikely was it that the Lions du Lac St-Louis and Saskatoon Contacts would be among the last six teams standing when the puck dropped to begin the 2016 TELUS Cup?
This season, 152 Midget teams from coast to coast competed for a chance to play at Canada’s National Midget Championship – the Lions had the 68th-best winning percentage at .478 (22-21-3), while the Contacts came in at No. 96 with a .432 mark (19-23-2).
But both teams proved numbers mean nothing; it’s the game on the ice that counts.
The Lions, seeded 11th for the Ligue de hockey midget AAA du Québec (LHMAAAQ) playoffs, beat four of the top six teams to win the Quebec berth at Canada’s National Midget Championship, while the Contacts, who missed the playoffs in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL), came back after almost six weeks off to win the West Regional as host and book their trip to New Brunswick.
Both were tagged as underdogs through league and regional playoffs, and that title will stay with them at the TELUS Cup.
“I don’t think that title is anything a team strives to gain or earn,” Lac St-Louis head coach Jon Goyens says of being labelled an underdog. “At the end of the day, that title is really only given to a team that has overcome statistical assumptions.
“In our case, the moment we started our playoffs we were ‘underdogs’ in every series. If anything, I can say that [our players] relished the challenge and obviously they’re going to the TELUS Cup because of it.”
The Lions got on a roll early in the LHMAAAQ; after knocking off the sixth-seeded Vikings de St-Eustache in the opening round – winning two of the three games in overtime – Lac St-Louis knocked out the regular season champions from Jonquière in the quarter-finals and dominated No. 2 Collège Esther-Blondin in the semis, scoring 19 goals in a three-game sweep of the Phénix.
They finished their Cinderella run with a six-game win over fifth-ranked Magog in the LHMAAAQ final and started packing their bags for Canada’s National Midget Championship.
“We have a confident bunch that doesn’t mind the underdog tag,” says Lions general manager Erasmo Saltarelli. “Our group believes that if they compete and play hard, they give themselves a chance to win. If we’re the underdogs it’s never a bad thing, and it’s always fun to live up to the challenge.”
Saskatoon had a challenge of its own to reach the TELUS Cup, one much different than Lac St-Louis; the Contacts had 39 days off between the end of the SMAAAHL regular season and the start of the West Regional.
But Saskatoon was the surprise of the regional championships. The Contacts opened with a 7-3 win over the Kenora Thistles and topped the SMAAAHL champion Notre Dame Hounds 5-1 to clinch a berth in the final.
They dropped their preliminary-round finale to the Winnipeg Wild, but came back the next day to edge the Wild 4-3 in double overtime to clinch their third TELUS Cup berth in the last five years.
For Saskatoon head coach Marc Chartier, the Contacts went through enough adversity in their season and regionals to prove that they shouldn’t be taken lightly at the national championship.
“Looking at our win percentage and then looking at the success Saskatchewan teams have had over the last few TELUS Cups, to me it shows just how good of a league we play in,” he says. “We’re glad everybody thinks we’re the underdogs. It’s a pretty good position to be in; that’s when you can surprise teams and we’re good with that.”
The Contacts say they’re going to use the regionals as a stepping stone to what they hope will be a second TELUS Cup; they claimed the national championship in 2005.
“It’s tough not making the playoffs, but then again it’ll be good for us to show up at the TELUS Cup and show other teams that we can win and that we can do it,” says Saskatoon captain Tyler Heidt. “We need to play our game, be relaxed out there, and realize that the other teams have a lot of pressure on them.”
So what made the difference?
How did the Lions and Contacts go from middle-of-the-pack in the regular season to being among the final half-dozen teams in the country?
“You saw them grow up, evolve and strengthen their character individually and then as a team,” says Goyens of his young team’s playoff run. “They’re a very resilient and very relentless group. They always found ways to chip away late in periods and late in games.”
“During the season we had our ups and downs with guys injured and some guys not buying into our systems,” says Heidt of Saskatoon’s struggles. “But now everyone is on the same page and I think that’s the biggest thing; we came together as a team and we’re playing as a team.”
They’ve got one foot in the door, and they’ve got a one-in-six chance of hoisting the TELUS Cup next Sunday – will 2016 be the Year of the Underdog?
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)
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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: More than just a tournament in Quispamsis
While the North York Rangers were the winners on the ice, claiming their first national title, the 2016 TELUS Cup had its share
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: NYR 4-SNB 1 Post-Game (Gold)
Aidan Casey scored two goals, Liam Gillanders got the game-winner on a second-period power play, and the North York Rangers topp
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: LSL 6-LLO 2 Post-Game (Bronze)
Bailey Bilney-Morrissette had a goal and two assists in a five-goal second period, and the Lions beat the Bobcats 6-2 to win bro
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
For more information: |
Katie Brickman - April 23, 2024
April 22, 2024
Shannon Coulter - April 20, 2024
Jason La Rose - April 20, 2024
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Nicholas Pescod - December 28, 2023
Nicholas Pescod - December 22, 2023
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2024 TELUS Cup: Monday, April 22 (Preliminary)
2024 Esso Cup: Sunday, April 21 (Preliminary)
2024 WWC: CAN 6 – USA 5 (Gold Medal)
2024 WWC: CAN 4 – CZE 0 (Semifinal)
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