Jonathan Yue
There are two teams left in the westernmost region of U18 hockey – either the Calgary Flames or Okanagan Rockets will represent the Pacific at the Men’s U18 National Club Championship in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.
The Rockets have the most recent appearance at nationals, capturing the bronze medal in 2014, while the Flames are looking for their first national championship berth since 1999, when they earned silver.
Both teams come 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 24-9.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (U18 NATIONALS FINISH)
2022 – Vancouver NE Chiefs (6th place)
2019 – Calgary Buffaloes (4th place)
2018 – Lethbridge Hurricanes (bronze medal)
2017 – Leduc Oil Kings (5th place)
2016 – Lloydminster Bobcats (4th place)
CALGARY FLAMES
AEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 23-12-2 (4th in AEHL)
Goals for: 148
Goals against: 126
Leading scorer: Joshua Wiebe (16G 44A 60P)
Playoff record: 8-3
Goals for: 46
Goals against: 36
Leading scorer: Joshua Wiebe (8G 13A 21P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Calgary Royals 2-1 (4-5 OT, 9-4, 5-4 2OT)
Semifinal: defeated Calgary Buffaloes 3-2 (2-6, 4-7, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1)
Final: defeated St. Albert Raiders 3-0 (4-3, 5-3, 4-1)
Last national championship appearance: 1999 (silver medal)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (1999)
OKANAGAN ROCKETS
BCEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 26-5-2-1 (2nd in BCEHL)
Goals for: 97
Goals against: 108
Leading scorer: Erik Pastro (32G 35A 67P)
Playoff record: 6-0
Goals for: 37
Goals against: 14
Leading scorer: Erik Pastro (5G 9A 14P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Cariboo Cougars 2-0 (4-0, 6-2)
Semifinal: defeated Vancouver NE Chiefs 2-0 (5-4, 11-6)
Final: defeated Greater Vancouver Canadians 2-0 (5-0, 6-2)
Last national championship appearance: 2014 (bronze medal)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2014)