By Mark Janzen /
It’s going to be some kind of showcase.
From Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, the best U16 players in Western Canada will converge on Blackfalds, Alta. for the inaugural Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.
Many of the most recently selected players from the WHL’s Bantam Draft will have an opportunity to show their skills off in front of their future coaches, managers and opponents.
“We think it’s a tremendous way [for the WHL] to be involved with the [provincial] branches and with the players,” said Rick Doerksen, WHL vice president. “These are the players that have just come through our Bantam Draft this past year and the majority of our first round picks will be involved in the tournament and the majority of the players involved will be drafted by our clubs.”
After the Canada Winter Games changed its’ age bracket for hockey so the competition could feature Under-16 players, the WHL and the provincial hockey branches got together to create the Challenge Cup, which will give U16 players a provincial-level competition each year, rather than just every four years.
“By holding this event, it fills the void in the other three years where the Canada Winter Games are not held,” Doerksen said. “The [provincial] branches were looking to fill that void and we felt we could come aboard as a sponsor of the event.
“With the model, it’ll fit in with the Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 formats. It’ll be the first step in that program. With our sponsorship, we’re looking forward to a great inaugural event.”
“It will be a real good indication for our teams to compare their draft picks against other clubs’ draft picks. It’ll be a tremendous showcase for the fans and the parents to see some of the top players.”
While the event will give players a chance to prove themselves against tough competition, it also will grant other participants an occasion to get noticed.
“It’s a great opportunity for the coaching staffs, the trainers as well as the on-ice officials for the event,” Doerksen said. “I’m sure most of them will be looking at the opportunity to potentially move up the ladder and certainly our people will be watching those categories as well.”
WHO TO WATCH FOR…
Team BC
Head Coach: Jim Dinwoodie (Team BC)
Forwards: Steven Hodges (Chilliwack – 9th) Evan Richardson
(Swift Current – 15th)
Defencemen: Morgan Rielly (Moose Jaw – 2nd) Griffin Reinhart
(Edmonton – 3rd)
Goalie: MacKenzie Skapski (Kootenay – 57th)
Team Alberta
Head Coach: Trevor Keeper (Team Alberta)
Forwards: Mike Winther (Prince Albert – 6th) Branden Trook (Seattle – 12th)
Defencemen: Matt Dumba (Red Deer – 4th) Hunter Shinkuruk
(Medicine Hat – 14th)
Goalie: Troy Trombley (Kamloops - 45th)
Team Manitoba
Head Coach: Billy Keane (Team Manitoba)
Forwards: Brayden Cuthbert (Moose Jaw – 89th) Brett Stovin (Saskatoon – 90th) Mathieu Vigier (Moose Jaw – 67th) will be honored as an official member of Team Manitoba after he died on Sept. 12 from injuries sustained in a car accident.
Defencemen: Reid Gow (Spokane – 16th), Dylan Kuczek (Brandon – 40th)
Goalie: Brenden Fiebelkorn (Prince Albert – 78th)
Team Saskatachewan
Head Coach: Ed Zawatzky (Yorkton Terriers – SJHL)
Forwards: Chandler Stephenson (Regina – 5th) Colby Cave (Kootenay – 13th)
Defencemen: Derrick Pouliot (Portland – 1st) Brady Gaudet (Kamloops – 10th)
Goalie: Dawson MacAuley (Medicine Hat – 36th) |