Canada’s Warm Welcome: October 22, 2016

TOP 30 NHL PROSPECTS NOLAN PATRICK BRANDON (WHL)

TIMOTHY LILJEGREN

ROGLE (SWEJE)

GABE VILARDI WINDSOR (OHL)

KLIM KOSTIN

DYNAMO (FINE)

MAXIME COMTOIS

VICTORIAVILLE (QMJHL)

+ Full List Inside

BACK IN THE GAME SEARCH FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR BEGINS FIRST PRELIMINARY LISTS RELEASED FOR HOCKEYNOW’S 2017 MINOR HOCKEY PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

MATHEW ROBSON RETURNS TO JUNIOR HOCKEY AFTER LENGTHY FORCED HIATUS

BITTEN’S FRESH START HAMILTON BULLDOGS WELCOME WILL BITTEN IN RIVETING TRADE

“ WE’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE JUST KEEP ROLLING NOW.” VICTORIA ROYALS PROVING TO BE STINGIEST PENALTY KILL UNIT IN WHL EARLY SEASON

CANADA’S WARM WELCOME

PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE WORKING HARD TO GROW THE GAME AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FOR NEW CANADIAN PLAYERS October 22, 2016

HockeyNow.ca

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

IN FULL SWING I

T’S BEEN A BUSY MONTH AT HOCKEYNOW. We launched our Fans’ Choice awards last year in the hopes of getting a little extra buzz around some awesome schools, manufacturers and tournaments that do so much to help grow the game. Well, it turns out we weren’t the only ones who wanted to show these great schools and companies some love, because we ended up with thousands of votes leading up to the award presentations in each category. So, of course, we had to bring it back again. Make sure to check out this year’s finalists, cast your vote, and let us know if there’s a worthy candidate we overlooked. Voting closes on November 13th and we’ll be announcing our winners in the December 5th issue.

Last year also brought us one of our best HockeyNow: CRAVE Gift Guides yet and we’ve already started putting together a list of this year’s best gifts for the hockey players and hockey lovers in your life. We have a few extra special surprises up our sleeve this year so we can’t wait to unveil it all in the November 19th print edition. We’re still scouring the shelves for great ideas, so make sure to let us know if there’s a must-have gift that we should include.

This month also brings us International Scouting Services’ (ISS) first Top 30 ranked prospects for the NHL Draft. We’ll be releasing the list every month in print and online and also featuring profiles throughout the year. We were especially excited to see the ISS October Top 30 to find out where our Ontario Minor Hockey Player of the Year, Gabe Vilardi, landed on the list. We knew he’d be up there and we were thrilled to see that he’s currently occupying the third spot. Of course, that could change as the season progresses, but there’s no question he’ll be taken early in the 2017 Draft.

Gabe will follow a long line of our Players of the Year who were drafted early and went on to have successful NHL careers. Most recently, our 2013 B.C. Player of the Year Dante Fabbro was selected 17th overall by the Nashville Predators at the 2016 Draft. We can’t wait to watch him in action.

In the meantime, we’re starting to look at this year’s crop of elite players in their CHL draft year. Our Player of the Year selection committee is chaired Dave Babych, former Vancouver Canuck and B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, and Dennis MacInnis, Founder and Head Scout of International Scouting Services.

The committee has been scoping out players and are starting to put together preliminary lists for each province, which we’ll be releasing every month, starting with this issue.

Players make the final cut based on their ability and performance, but we also look at what they’ve done for their schools and their communities, on and off the ice. That’s part of the reason we’re so excited to see our Players of the Year on ISS lists and NHL rosters. They’re not just good players – they’ve already made it a habit to give back and they know what in means to be dedicated and focused. If history is any indication, we’ll be presenting the award to three more stellar players by the end of the year so make sure to follow along every month as we get closer to choosing our winners.

And beyond Fans’ Choice, ISS Top 30 lists, our Gift Guide and our Player of the Year, there’s a lot more to look forward to, so make sure to pick up our print issues at your local rink, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on twitter, Facebook and online.

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NEXT EDITION: November 19, 2016

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DISTRIBUTION office@hockeynow.ca

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Larry Feist larry@hockeynow.ca

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CONTACT THE EDITOR: larry@hockeynow.ca

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NATIONAL EDITION Vol. 17, No. 13, Issue 668 - October 22, 2016

HockeyNow 3145 Wolfedale Road Mississauga, ON, L5C 3A9 Telephone:1-877-990-0520 Contents copyright 2016 by HockeyNow. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or duplicated in print or on websites without the written permission of HockeyNow. The opinions conveyed by contributors to HockeyNow may not be indicative of the views of HockeyNow or Metroland Media Group Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, neither HockeyNow nor Metroland Media Group Ltd. assume any responsibility or liability for errors or omissions.

Congratulations to Ryan from Calgary AB for finding Billy and winning a HN t-shirt .

October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

3 19 11

FA

NO

2016 NOMINEES

HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED! BEST HOCKEY SCHOOL BEST SPORT SCHOOL BEST HOCKEY EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER BEST HOCKEY PRO SHOP BEST HOCKEY APPAREL BEST PLACE TO WATCH HOCKEY BEST HOTEL TO STAY IN ON A HOCKEY TRIP BEST MINOR HOCKEY TOURNAMENT BEST ADULT HOCKEY TOURNAMENT BEST ADULT HOCKEY LEAGUE BEST HOCKEY TRAINING DEVICE

VOTE for your favourites at HockeyNow.ca/faNs-cHoice

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CE

20

’ CHOI S N

16

M IN E ES Following a successful first run, HockeyNow is thrilled to be entering into the SECOND ANNUAL FANS’ CHOICE AWARDS. These awards give our readers the opportunity to vote for their favourite hockey schools, stores, apparel, and so much more.

Some of last year’s winners include SANDMAN HOTEL (Best Hotel to Stay in on a Hockey Trip), OKANAGAN HOCKEY (Best Hockey School in B.C. and Alberta) and SOURCE FOR SPORTS (Best Hockey Pro Shop), amongst many others.

Thousands voted last year, making for an exciting race for Canada’s hockey favourites.

And just like last year, once VOTING CLOSES (Nov. 13), we’ll be tallying the votes and ANNOUNCING our winners and finalists in print (Dec. 3) and online (Dec. 5).

SO DON’T WAIT – VOTE NOW IN AS MANY CATEGORIES AS YOU’D LIKE! And if you see an omission, contact larry@hockeynow.ca to get your top choices added to the nominees list.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN OUR... DECEMBER 3RD EDITION

HockeyNow October 22, 2016

CONTENTS 16 | ON THE COVER

OCTOBER 22, 2016

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS FOR NEW CANADIAN HOCKEY PLAYERS

7

features...

9 PROSPECT PROFILES

TOP PICKS FROM THE D OF THE OHL, WHL & QMJHL

9 MOMS CORNER

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES FOR THE HOCKEY MOM WHO’S GOING IT ALONE

14 POY

THE SEARCH BEGINS FOR OUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN B.C., ONTARIO & ALBERTA

15 ISS

ISS RELEASES OCTOBER LIST OF TOP 30 NHL DRAFT ELIGIBLE PROSPECTS

25 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

10

MATHEW ROBSON RETURNS TO JUNIOR HOCKEY AFTER LENGTHY SUSPENSION

in this issue...

6 WHL

VICTORIA ROYALS SHINING AS TOP PENALTY KILLERS IN EARLY SEASON

12 MINOR

PROFILE ON SEASONED TORONTO YOUNG NATS GM GARRY PUNCHARD

7 OHL

22 FEMALE

8 QMJHL

27 U SPORTS

10 CJHL

28 NCAA

WILL BITTEN MAKING FRESH START IN HAMILTON AFTER LEAVING FLINT

CHARLOTTETOWN HEAVY HITTERS EARNING TOP POINTS IN THE Q

RBC CUP CHAMP WARRIORS LOOK TO REPEAT WITH NEW ROSTER

OUR PREVIEW OF CWHL SEASON & TEAM CANADA AT 4 NATIONS CUP

OHL ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT U SPORTS ROSTERS ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR

RIT TIGERS STARTING STRONG IN HOPES OF FROZEN FOUR FINISH

27 October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

5 19 11

MAJOR JUNIOR

WHL

PHOTOS BY JONATHON HOWE

Goaltender Griffen Outhouse has been a powerhouse for the Royals so far this season and credits their success to the team's ability to "play with emotion and play for each other."

KILLING TIME

Victoria Royals shining shorthanded early in the WHL season thanks to their team-first mentality STORY Ryan McCracken

T

HE VICTORIA ROYALS HAVE BEEN MAKING WAVES with the WHL’s stingiest penalty kill unit through the first three weeks of the season, and if you ask head coach Dave Lowry, the secret to their shorthanded success is simple.

“No. 1 is that we haven’t taken a lot of undisciplined or unnecessary penalties,” said Lowry. “I think when our goalie makes a save and we’ve got guys in the lanes willing to block shots, it gives us a great chance.”

While the Royals have still found themselves on the kill 37 times through their first nine contests of the year, they’ve only let three goals slip by them across that span for a league-best 91.9 percent success rate. Royals leading scorer Tyler Soy says Victoria’s dominance while down a man stems from two things: a team-wide mentality to win by committee, and stellar nightly performances from goaltender Griffen Outhouse.

“Each and every game he’s been making some highlight reel saves for us. He’s been saving our neck out there a couple of times. It gives us a lot of confidence, especially on the PK, when we know we’ve got such a good goaltender behind us,” said Soy. “We know he can make those big saves if we make a mistake because we got too aggressive. Having him back there is definitely a huge help.”

Soy — who, at press time, shared the team lead for points with forward Jack Walker at four Tyler Soy, goals and two assists in seven Victoria Royals

games — added the Royals pride themselves off their team-wide effort, insisting their success this season will hinge on their ability to bring 18 active threats to the ice each evening. Only three points separated Soy and Walker from Victoria’s 10th-ranked point-getters through nine games — a place shared by forwards Jared Dmytriw, Blake Bargar and Ryan Peckford and defenceman Chaz Reddekopp.

“We want to be playing with four lines and six D and making sure we’ve got everybody in the game. We don’t want to be just a two-line team and I think that’s been showing with the stats. The scoring has been pretty spread out,” said Soy. “That’s the way we want to play, we want to be able to have four lines of guys able to attack and put on pressure.”

Lowry added the concept of scoring by committee isn’t a recent addition to the team’s mentality, it’s part of Victoria’s identity as a Western Conference powerhouse team.

“That’s what we are. We are a real good team but we need everyone to win,” said Lowry. “Four lines is the key to our success and if we can’t play with that balance we won’t give ourselves a chance to win. “ As for Outhouse, the 18-yearold goaltender from Williams Lake, B.C. couldn’t be more confident about the near-flawless unit of penalty killers that take the ice in front of him.

“If you take a look at our Dcorps we’ve got some really strong

“WE DON’T WANT TO

BE JUST A TWO-LINE TEAM AND I THINK THAT’S BEEN SHOWING WITH THE STATS.”

6

HockeyNow October 22, 2016

Forward Tyler Soy is leading the Victoria Royals in points so far this season, alongside left-winger Jack Walker.

players. Obviously we want to limit penalties as much as we can but when we are on the PK we’re pretty confident,” said Outhouse, who was sporting a .928 save percentage and a 2.28 goals against average through his first seven starts. “I’ve got some good guys in in front of me limiting scoring chances.”

While the Royals struggled to a bumpy start — dropping three of their first four games — Soy suggests their early sub-500 record will see a steep increase in the coming weeks, as they’ve found a big boost with the return of five players from NHL camps — Soy (Anaheim Ducks), Walker (Toronto Maple Leafs), Reddekopp (Los Angeles Kings), Matthew Phillips (Calgary Flames) and Ralph Jarrett (New Jersey Devils).

“Ever since we got all our guys back the team could really start to bond,” said Soy. “We’re definitely starting to mesh as a team.”

Outhouse added that it took a while, but the Royals seem to be back to playing the same emotionally charged, team-first game that pushed them to a Western Conference title last season.

“At first I think we were maybe a little worried about ourselves, but I think now we’re doing a good job of playing with emotion, playing for each other. That’s been a big part of our success recently,” said Outhouse. “We’ve got to make sure we just keep rolling now.”

AARON BELL/OHL IMAGES

OHL

MAJOR JUNIOR

WILL THEY

BE BACK? NHL training camps have come and gone and it’s still in question whether nine players who could still return to the OHL and be eligible for the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championships will do so.

Will Bitten joined the Hamilton Bulldogs in the fall after defecting from the Flint Firebirds following the team's troubled inaugural season.

NEW KID IN TOWN After refusing to report back to Flint last season, Montreal Canadians prospect Will Bitten is excited for a fresh start in Hamilton STORY Iain Colpitts

W

ILL BITTEN IS QUITE COMFORTABLE IN HIS NEW surroundings.

The star forward is with the Hamilton Bulldogs after being traded from the volatile Flint Firebirds at the end of September.

The trade took place after Bitten made it clear he wouldn’t report back to Flint, a team that was routinely in the news last year for all the wrong reasons.

“I was just sitting at home, just got back from Montreal (Canadiens) camp and it feels good to be back on the ice,” said Bitten, Montreal’s third round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

“We have a really good team now, I really believe in this team and I’m just excited to keep going.”

The Bulldogs sent goalie Connor Hicks, 2017 NHL Draft prospect Fedor Gordeev and two second round picks in 2019 and 2020 to Flint in exchange for Bitten on Sept. 28.

In Flint’s first year of operation, Flint owner Rolf Nilsen fired head coach John Gruden and other members of his staff twice, first for allegedly not giving his son, defenceman Hakon, enough playing time.

After the players threatened to walk out in protest, the league stepped in and Gruden was given a three-year extension only to be fired three months later.

The re-occurrence resulted in a league investigation into Nilsen’s actions, from which Nilsen received a hefty fine and a five-year suspension from anything related to hockey operations.

Not to be overshadowed, the Will Bitten, city was going through a Hamilton Bulldogs

contaminated water crisis and the team itself finished outside of the playoff picture.

It’s clear why Bitten and some of his former teammates have requested to be traded from Flint, but he still wishes the organization well and took notice of its 4-1 start to the 2016-17 season.

“I’m best buddies with the guys on Flint. I wish them the best and I love them to death,” Bitten said.

“I think they’re doing pretty good right now and I’m happy (for them), but I chose the route that’s best for my future.

Now I’m with Hamilton and we’re playing really well.”

A big factor in the trade to Hamilton was being reunited with Gruden, who was hired by the Bulldogs in June.

With Bitten getting accustomed to his new team following a 65-point season, the Bulldogs were off to a 5-1 start at press time, good for first place in the OHL Eastern Conference.

Since he was drafted seventh overall by the Plymouth Whalers in 2014, Bitten has yet to make the OHL playoffs, but it looks as though that could change.

Hamilton boasts a young enough line-up to be a contender next year and Bitten would be eligible to return, all depending on whether Montreal feels he’s ready to contribute at the next level.

He took a lot out of this year’s rookie camp and he’s motivated to push for a longer stay with the Canadiens next year.

“I had high expectations going into London for rookie camp. I thought I played really well and they did too,” he said.

“They told me to keep going, gain some weight and next year I’ll play some pre-season games.”

“I’M BEST BUDDIES

WITH THE GUYS ON FLINT. I WISH THEM THE BEST AND I LOVE THEM TO DEATH.”

The résumés for Dylan Strome and Mitch Marner are well known and as expected, the third and fourth overall picks from the 2015 NHL Draft have made it onto the season-opening rosters for the Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively.

Their focus now will be on making it past that nine-game mark where the first years of their entry-level contracts come into effect.

Since they’re so highly touted – Strome is a potential Calder Trophy candidate – it’s likely at least one of them will stay on board all season.

The same can be said for Pavel Zacha, who spent most of last season with the Sarnia Sting, averaging almost two points per game in their first round playoff series before recording two assists in his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils.

He’s believed to have learned all he can in the OHL and is one of three key players that Sarnia will be without, at least to start off the season.

Travis Konecny, last year’s blockbuster acquisition at the trade deadline, is still with the Philadelphia Flyers, who have expressed interest in keeping him for the whole season.

After surpassing 100 points last season, he could have the same impact in Philadelphia as Guelph Storm alum Robby Fabbri did last season as a 19-year-old with the St. Louis Blues.

Also, Jakob Chychrun, one of Arizona’s first round picks (16th overall) in the 2016 draft, is on the Coyotes’ opening night roster.

Whether or not he makes it past nine games is a mystery since defence is a hard position to take on right away, especially for an 18-year-old who has struggled with injuries.

Ben Speers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/ New Jersey Devils), Lawson Crouse (Kingston Frontenacs/Arizona Coyotes), Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights/Calgary Flames) and Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires/Montreal Canadiens) are still with their respective NHL clubs too.

October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

7 19 11

QMJHL

DARRELL THERIAULT PHOTOS

MAJOR JUNIOR

Forwards Kameron Kielly (left) and Filip Chlapik (right) are a key part of Charlottetown’s offensive veteran presence and are helping the Islanders gain a sizeable lead in team goals so far early in the QMJHL season.

assists in two games with a plus-minus rating of plus-8.

Like Kielly, Coughler started his QMJHL career with the Olympics. The St. Catharines, Ont. native is starting his first full season as an Islander after being moved to the PEI capital from Gatineau at the 2016 QMJHL trade deadline in early January.

Coughler is paying off in huge dividends as he was near the top of the league in goal scoring with nine markers in the early going.

D Cody Donaghey is the Islanders other 20-year-old.

The St. John’s, N.L. native and property of the NHL Ottawa Senators is in his fifth season in the QMJHL and first with Charlottetown.

He was drafted into the league in 2012 when the Rouyn-Noranda selected him in the first round (14th overall).

After 24 games, the Huskies traded Donaghey to Quebec where he skated with the Remparts for two seasons.

In 2015-16, Donaghey split the year between Halifax and Moncton before finding a home in Charlottetown for his overage season.

One notable player that has helped Charlottetown to be the pace team in the Maritimes is F Filip Chlapik, another Sens pick (2015, round 2, 48th overall). The Islanders chose wisely in 2014 when they selected the native of Prague, Czech Republic with the 11th overall pick in the CHL European Draft.

Now in his third season with the Islanders, Chlapik has amassed 143 points in 121 games and was sitting in first in goals (10) and second in points (17) after only eight games.

One of their unsung heroes to date is Mitchell Balmas, a 1998 birth year from Sydney, N.S. Balmas had 34 points for the Islanders last season including 20 goals. In ten games this year, the hard-shooting left winger had 17 points and was sitting comfortably as one of the top 5 in points early in the season.

Donaghey was sitting in the seventh spot to round out Charlottetown’s representation in the Q’s Top 10 pointgetters, with Coughler just shy of making the cut at 11, with 12 points. Rimouski’s Tyler Boland was leading the Océanic (41) all sit well behind Charlottetown when it race at press time, with nine checks in each column. comes to team scoring.

It’s a long time between now and the end of the QMVeteran leadership and production from a team’s overJHL regular season in mid-March. age players is always a key element to success from which Who knows what may happen along the way, but for the Islanders have truly benefited. the Charlottetown Islanders and their high scoring offence, it should be a lot of fun.

As Hulton mentioned, he is extremely pleased with the Staying near the top of the Maritimes Division and contributions of his team’s three 1996-born players. running with the big dogs in the league like Saint John, Charlottetown-born Kielly is currently in his fourth Rouyn-Noranda and Shawinigan will be a chore. season with the Islanders and occupied fifth place in “The Q looks to be as competitive as ever this league scoring after ten games (7G, 9A). The 6’1, season, especially in the Maritimes,” admit185-pound centre was a first round pick ted Hulton.

(18th overall) by the Gatineau Olym“Saint John is loaded and poised piques in 2012. He played one HockeyNow: for a long run. Hopefully we can season in Gatineau before stay close on their heels.” being acquired by his hometown Islanders on Aug. 19, 2013.

Kielly was invited to the Los Angeles Kings training camp DO YOU WANT TO in September and 2016 was named the CHL Player of the SEND AN EMAIL TO Week for the first LARRY@HOCKEYNOW.CA week of regular seaTO SECURE YOUR SPOT! son action after scorFIND THE PERFECT GIFT IN OUR ing three goals and six TH

BUILDING MOMENTUM

Charlottetown Islanders proving to be an offensive juggernaut early in the QMJHL season STORY Mike Beasley

I

T’S STILL EARLY IN THE SEASON, BUT THE Charlottetown Islanders are showing a fierce offensive streak – and have no intention of slowing down.

With huge numbers and a wealth of goal scorers, the Islanders have sprinted out of the starting gates to open the season.

After ten games, Charlottetown sat in fourth place overall in the QMJHL (6-3-1-0, 13 points), and was well in the lead in goals.

The Shawinigan Cataractes (9-8-1-0, 16 points) were league leaders, followed by last season’s President Cup champions, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (9-7-1-0, 15 points) and the Saint John Sea Dogs (7-2-1-0, 15 points).

The Islanders are part of the Maritimes Division which could be the most competitive grouping in the QMJHL this season.

“We (Charlottetown) are happy with our start but realize we have lots of work in front of us as the season progresses,” says Jim Hulton, Islanders GM and head coach.

“We have been fortunate to have great starts from some key veterans. Overagers Kam Kielly, Jake Coughler and Cody Donaghey have been very good along with Mitch Balmas. We’ve probably scored more than anticipated in the early going, which has fuelled us to this start.”

During their first ten games, the Islanders scored 52 times, by far the most by any team in the Q. Runners-up Halifax Mooseheads (44), Shawinigan (41) and Rimouski

8

HockeyNow October 22, 2016

CRAVE

BE INCLUDED?

NOVEMBER 19 EDITION

HOCKEY MOMS CORNER

HOCKEY MOM SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

JUDY SIMPSON

BY Marshall Mackinder

M

IND IF I GET A LITTLE PERSONAL? MY HUSBAND IS A LITTLE ANGRY WITH ME right now because I am going away this weekend and his Saturday afternoon golf game has to be postponed or cancelled because my daughter needs a ride to hockey. In fact, my daughter needs a ride to both her volunteer hours as a Timbit coach and a ride to her evening Midget team practice. We have no one to carpool with for the volunteer time and she’s too young to drive herself so there is no alternative.

I’ve been getting the stink eye and I probably deserve it … a little. For years, I have been giving him the gears if he so much as looks at a golf travel destination advertisement during hockey season, because as I said in my hockey “momoir” “Who goes golfing during hockey season?!” With three kids in hockey, there was NO WAY I was letting him head off on a boys’ weekend without me putting in my two cents. I mean, he could, but the locks on all our doors would probably be changed when he gets back.

I got to thinking of all the hockey parents who work shift work, travel extensively for work or are single parents, and probably (ok, likely) have far more acceptable reasons to be unavailable for hockey duty with the kids than my leisure weekend away. What are the options?

Hockey is a team sport. Therefore, hockey motherhood is also a team sport. Here are some of the Hockey Mom Survival Strategies I have employed to get me through a hockey weekend on my own:

JUUSO VALIMAKI D – TRI-CITY AMERICANS

HEIGHT: 6’2" WEIGHT: 200 lbs.

SHOOTS: Left BORN: October 6, 1998 – Nokia, Finland

DRAFTED: 2015 CHL Import Draft – Round #1 (14th overall) by the Tri-City Americans

Juuso Valimaki was new to the WHL and the Americans last season and managed to put up seven goals and 32 points in 56 games. His leadership is quite noticeable on the ice as he communicates well and shows emotion at both ends of the ice. He has since been rewarded with the “A” on his sweater this year. He’s a real mobile skater who loves to join the rush and catching opposing defencemen off guard by carrying the puck deep in the offensive zone and creating scoring chances. He has great offensive instincts and has the ability to skate back to his position with ease and get back into the play.

Valimaki is not known as a flashy defenceman but displays patience and a calmness with the puck on his stick. He has crisp tape-to-tape outlet passes and always has his head up and rarely out of position. He doesn’t have an overpowering shot but with some work, it can be developed.

DID YOU KNOW? According to Tri-City Americans Broadcaster Craig West, Valimaki’s entire immediate family moved to the United States and the Tri-Cities area so they could be close to Juuso for the Americans’ 2016-17 season.ft.

AARON BELL/OHL IMAGES

Plan.

It can be daunting to see your hockey schedule laid out before you on a piece of paper or on the electronic calendar but the more you know what you’re up against, the more you can cry – I mean – plan. Maybe it’s not as bad as it seems (just keep telling yourself that). Maybe the games and practices are timed just so you can get everyone where they need to be as long as you all stick together. Check Google maps. Maybe you really can get there from here in under two hours. All the kids have to spend the day together which doesn’t always work out in anyone’s favour believe me, but at least you got everyone to practices or games relatively on time and relatively in one piece.

NICOLAS HAGUE

D – MISSISSAUGA STEELHEADS HEIGHT: 6’6" WEIGHT: 215 lbs.

SHOOTS: Left BORN: December 5, 1998 – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Carpool.

DRAFTED: 2014 OHL Draft - Round #2 (29th overall) by the Mississauga Steelheads

This is a no-brainer. If your child can get a ride with someone else, go for it. Hockey parents are great for keeping score on the ice but not with the carpool so don’t sweat it.

This also makes point #1 all the more important because the more advance notice you can give someone, the better.

Another Top Prospect out of Mississauga this season, Nicolas Hague is a hulking defenceman who is capable of making his presence known every shift on the ice. He has the offensive capability to score the big goal and really likes to tee it up from the blue line as well as moving in from his point position to get a scoring chance. Hague runs the Mississauga power play, scoring 14 goals last season with five of them coming with the man advantage. He has good balance on the ice and knows how to skate himself out of danger and rarely makes a bad decision with the puck.

Hague uses his long range to his advantage when the puck is in deep. The biggest question mark is his physical play and his skating. For a big kid, he doesn’t throw his weight around too much but has a bit of nasty streak. He skates well for his size and is quite mobile, but he will need to develop more to keep up with the pace of the faster players at the higher level.

ANTOINE CRÊTE-BELZILE D – BLAINVILLE-BOISBRIAND ARMADA

HEIGHT: 6’0" WEIGHT: 191 lbs.

SHOOTS: Left BORN: August 19, 1999 – Quebec City, Quebec

DRAFTED: 2015 QMJHL Draft – Round #1 (11th overall) by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

Antoine Crête-Belzile impresses with his dynamic skating ability and has the mobility to join the rush and create scoring chances for his forwards. He likes the puck on his stick and does a good job of maneuvering around forecheckers to keep it. He has a great first pass tape-to-tape and follows his pass up rather than watching it. He has great vision on the ice and before making bold decisions, he makes sure it is safe to move the puck in deep or dump it in. Crête-Belzile likes to play the puck off the glass and chase it down. He has gotten caught down low that led to odd man breakouts the other way but has the speed to catch up and rejoin the play. He’s off to a slow start this season and doesn’t have the flash of a #1 defenceman yet but has the skill set and smarts to blossom into a reliable offensive defenceman.

DID YOU KNOW? Crête-Belzile dressed for Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament last August where he registered an assist in four games played. He was Assistant Captain and is regarded as one of the best skaters available in the upcoming NHL Draft.

ARMADA DE BLAINVILLEBOISBRIAND PHOTO

DID YOU KNOW? Hague earned OHL Scholastic Player of the Year honours achieving an 82% Grade 12 average at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga. He carried a full course load last season, studying pre-University Level Accounting, Canadian Law, Chemistry, Data Management, English, and Philosophy.

Call in the National Guard.

Ok, not the National Guard, but that triple-header hockey weekend is a great time for the grandparents to visit, trust me! If Grandpa or Grandma are not around, even non-hockey parent neighbours sincerely don’t mind picking up a kid at the hockey arena once in a blue moon if it’s the arena around the corner from their house. Tell them you’re in a bind and ask them if they could do it. Just don’t forget to leave a bottle of wine at their door at Christmas.

Home-Away sleepovers.

Your Peewee boy stays at his Peewee teammate’s house, while his Peewee teammate’s Atom sister stays with you. Peewee house goes to Peewee practice and Atom house goes to Atom practice.

Split shifts.

Drop your Bantam kid off at his 1:00PM practice and tell him he has to wait a little bit for the pick-up because you’re at the Atom game until 5:00PM. Chances are he’ll find a ride home or get his homework done while he’s waiting (I’m gunning on the latter!).

As a hockey mom, sometimes you look at that hockey schedule and you want to pull your hair out. Once you’ve become a weekend warrior, you’ll find that the weekend away is a little easier to manage. You’ll get the stink eye, don’t doubt that, but it just might be worth it.

Three cheers for getaway weekends – and may my key still fit when I get home!

ASTRA GROSKAUFMANIS

Ottawa mom of 3 poking fun at motherhood, middle age and minor hockey! Author of Offside by a Mile – Confessions of a Hockey Mom WEBSITE: astragroskaufmanis.com TWITTER: @mydustbunnies October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

9 19 11

CJHL

KEN REID/GREYSTOKE PHOTOGRAPHY

JUNIOR

AROUND THE BCHL WILD LEADING DIVISIONAL STANDINGS Though they had played fewer games than all other BCHL clubs, the lone American entry in the 17-squad circuit was leading its divisional standings.

The Wenatchee Wild, based in the state of Washington, had yet to taste defeat in regulation play following its first nine regular season contests this year.

The Wild, however, did drop a 5-4 overtime decision to the Powell River Kings back on Sept. 23.

With its 10-0-1-0 start, Wenatchee was leading the league’s six-team Mainland Division with 17 points. The Wild was two points ahead of the 9-3-1-0 Chilliwack Chiefs, who had played two games more.

Quin Foreman and his West Kelowna Warriors teammates are looking for momentum early in the BCHL season in the hopes of getting the chance to defend their RBC Cup championship.

DEFENDING THE CROWN Armed with a relatively new roster, the 2015 RBC Cup Champion West Kelowna Warriors face the difficult task of holding on to their national title STORY Sam Laskaris

A

N OLD CLICHÉ STATES ONE OF THE HARDEST things about winning a championship is defending it.

The West Kelowna Warriors are certainly finding out that is indeed the case.

Besides winning the British Columbia Hockey League crown this past spring, the Warriors also went on to capture the Royal Bank Cup, the Canadian Junior A championship.

The 2016-17 Warriors, however, are vastly different from last year’s championship squad. For starters, the West Kelowna roster this season features just six returnees.

So no, the Warriors, who captured their national title in Lloydminster (an Alberta/Saskatchewan border town) this past May, are not thinking about winning a second consecutive Canadian title.

“We’re not talking about that at all,” said West Kelowna head coach/GM Rylan Ferster. “We lost too many guys from last year’s team.”

Winning back-to-back national championships, though an arduous task, can indeed be done. Another BCHL franchise, the Vernon Vipers, accomplished the feat, winning the title in 2009 and in 2010.

Ferster has a much simpler goal in mind for his charges this season.

“We just want to make the playoff this year,” he said.

But even that might be a difficult chore to accomplish based on the Warriors’ early-season results. The club had a sub .500 record following its first dozen regular season outings.

West Kelowna had managed to win just five of those first 12 contests. It also earned a single point from one

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

of its losses, an overtime affair.

With its 11 points, the Warriors were occupying the cellar of the league’s six-team Interior Division. West Kelowna was already trailing the division-leading Penticton Vees by 11 points.

Ferster, however, has seen some positives early on this season.

“I do like our work ethic,” he said.

But Ferster also realizes the Warriors have plenty of room for improvement.

“We need to work on every area,” Ferster said following a recent 5-1 home loss versus the Merritt Centennials.

“Tonight our PK gave up four goals. So we need to work on that.”

West Kelowna 20-year-old forward Quin Foreman believes the Warriors should still have lofty expectations this season. Even more so now since they won the Royal Bank Cup. “It’s a winning organization,” he said. “Every year from now on we should be expected to win.”

Like many other Junior A franchises across the country, Foreman said his squad should be striving to win a national championship this season.

“There’s no reason to have any different goal,” he said.

Foreman also realizes that is easier said than done.

“It will be hard because it is a young team,” he added.

“We just need some young guys to step up for us.”

Foreman, who finished 10th in Warriors’ scoring with 26 points in 50 games last season, is leading West Kelowna in points this year. He had 18 points, including a team-high eight goals, after 12 matches.

“I’m happy to be scoring a lot,” he said. “We’re looking for some other guys to also start doing the same.”

Wenatchee was being led by 20-year-old forward Brendan Harris, who was not only the club’s top scorer but also the league’s top pointgetter thus far. Harris had chalked up 25 points (five goals and a league-leading 20 assists) in his first 11 games.

PENTICTON BLUELINER PICKED FOR WORLD U17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE A highly touted rookie defenceman with the Penticton Vees will soon be donning a Canadian team jersey.

Jonny Tychonick was the only BCHL player picked to participate in the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Hockey Canada officials selected teenagers from across the country to take part in the event, which runs Oct. 30 through Nov. 5 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The Canadian players will be split up into three clubs dubbed Canada Red, Canada White and Canada Black.

Tychonick was the Saskatoon Blades’ first-round selection at the Western Hockey League’s Bantam Draft in 2015. But he spent last season in his hometown suiting up for the Calgary Flames Midget AAA team.

Instead of reporting to the Blades this season, Tychonick, who is eligible for the National Hockey League’s Entry Draft in 2018, opted to join the Vees. That way he could maintain his NCAA eligibility.

Tychonick has verbally agreed to attend the University of North Dakota, beginning with the 2018-19 campaign.

Tychonick earned seven points, including a pair of goals, in his first 13 contests with Penticton this season.

ANOTHER AMONTE HAS KNACK FOR NET Ty Amonte, son of former NHL scoring star Tony Amonte, is proving he also has an offensive touch.

The 18-year-old Penticton Vees’ right winger, was the BCHL’s top scoring rookie early on this season. He was leading the Vees in points with 15, including five goals, in his first 13 matches.

The elder Amonte had earned 955 points in 1,273 NHL regular season and playoff games.

CJHL

AROUND THE AJHL

AROUND THE OJHL

COMRIE CHOSEN FOR INTERNATIONAL EVENT

HURRICANES MAKE COACHING CHANGE

Besides making the jump up to the junior hockey ranks this season, Sean Comrie will now also participate in a prestigious international tournament.

It didn’t take the Newmarket Hurricanes long to make a coaching change this season.

The 16-year-old defenceman cracked the roster of the AJHL’s powerhouse Spruce Grove Saints.

And then earlier this month it was announced that Comrie will be one of the66 Canadian players that will take part at this year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Comrie, an Edmonton native, is the only AJHL player that will participate at the international tournament. Besides the three Canadian entries, also taking part will be Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

The Hurricanes relieved head coach Tom Longland of his duties after the club managed to win just two of its first 10 regular season contests.

Newmarket’s new bench boss is Thomas Milne, who coached another York Region squad, the Aurora Tigers, for a good chunk of the 2015-16 campaign. The Tigers brought in Milne last year after 13 games, as they got off to a slow start.

The Hurricanes’ fortunes, however, did not immediately improve with Milne calling the shots. Newmarket lost its first four games after he took over.

OIL BARONS GOALIE REGISTERING SHUTOUTS

ALLAN LEADS DEFENCE POINTGETTERS

Eric Szudor was unable to register a shutout a year ago during his 22 appearances in his rookie season with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

It certainly didn’t take Trenton Golden Hawks sophomore defenceman Josh Allan long to surpass his point production of last season.

But the 19-year-old puckstopper has already registered three shutouts early on in his sophomore campaign with the Oil Barons.

Allan earned 20 points, including four goals, in his first dozen matches with the Golden Hawks this season.

Szudor, who was born in Edmonton, earned his first AJHL shutout on Sept. 17 as he stopped all 19 shots he faced in an 8-0 rout against the visiting Grande Prairie Storm.

A week later, on Sept. 24, Szudor made 16 saves as the host Oil Barons blanked the Lloydminster Bobcats 5-0.

The 19-year-old blueliner, who is from Orillia, Ont., collected a total of 19 points (4G, 15A) in 33 games during his rookie season with the Golden Hawks.

Besides sitting in third place in scoring for his own club, Allan was also the OJHL’s top scoring blueliner early on this season.

Szudor was between the pipes again on Oct. 8 as Fort McMurray downed the visiting Bobcats 5-0 once more.

OJHL ROOKIES TO COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY

Most recently, Szudor backstopped the Oil Barons to wins again the Camrose Kodiaks (6-3) on Oct. 14 and the Sherwood Park Crusaders (5-1) on Oct. 16. Fort McMurray also downed the Drumheller Dragons in overtime (4-3) on Oct. 15, this time with Forbes Ploszaj in net. The Oil Barons, who’s only two losses so far both came at the hands of the Bonnyville Pontiacs, ride a seven-game winning streak into their second match-up against Sherwood Park on Oct. 21.

Three of the OJHL’s youngest players will soon be getting a taste of some international hockey.

FORCHUK RACKING UP POINTS Should he maintain his early season scoring ways, Canmore Eagles forward Matt Forchuk will once again be one of the league’s top pointgetters.

And there’s a chance Forchuk, who is in his third season with the Eagles, will also win the AJHL scoring race.

Forchuk was the league’s top scorer with 26 points (9G, 17A) after his first 12 games this season.

Last season Forchuk collected 72 points in 57 outings and finished in a tie for fourth place in league scoring along with teammate Logan Ferguson.

Ferguson was tied for second in AJHL scoring this season with 19 points, including 10 goals, in his first dozen matches.

Hunter Jones, Dawson Baker and Jack McBain have been selected to compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. All three players are 16.

JUNIOR

AROUND THE CCHL CCHL ALL-STAR COACHES CHOSEN Sylvain Favreau and Rick Dorval will soon be coaching some other CCHL players.

No, the two bench bosses do not plan on leaving their current coaching gigs. Favreau is with the Cumberland Grads while Dorval is in charge of the Hawkesbury Hawks.

But the pair have been selected to serve as the head coaches for the two CCHL entries that will compete at next month’s Eastern Canada All-Star Challenge.

The nine-team event will be staged Nov. 14 to 16 in Cornwall, Ont. Meanwhile, Dan Sauve, who is the Gloucester Rangers head coach, will be an assistant coach for the Favreau-led squad at the tourney. And Ron Tugnutt, who is the Kemptville 73’s head coach, will be the assistant for Dorval’s squad.

Also, a pair of other CCHL coaches, Ian MacInnis from the Cornwall Colts and Mark Grady of the Smiths Falls Bears, have been appointed as senior advisors for the two teams from the league that will take part in the tournament.

Four clubs representing the Ontario Junior Hockey League will also participate. And there will be single entrants from the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League and Quebec Junior Hockey League.

NEPEAN NETMINDER PICKED FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT Nepean Raiders rookie goaltender Marshall Frappier has been making a name for himself early on in this season.

And now the 16-year-old will soon get an opportunity to prove himself on a much larger scale.

Frappier was is the only CCHL player chosen to take part in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at the end of the month.

The international tourney will begin Oct. 30 and run for seven days in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

After his first nine appearances this season, Frappier, a Nepean native, was sporting a 6-2-0-0 record, with a 2.80 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.

Jones, a goaltender, is a member of the Stouffville Spirit.

Baker, a forward, cracked the roster of the defending league champion Trenton Golden Hawks. And McBain, also a forward, is with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.

At press time, Nepean was sitting one point behind the Ottawa Junior Senators, for second place in the Yzerman Division with 18 points, nine wins and seven losses, in 16 games.

Hockey Canada officials selected a total of 66 players to compete in three squads at the tournament.

The eight-team event will also include the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

Jones, Baker and McBain have all had solid OJHL starts.

Jones was undefeated in his first five appearances and had four victories and a league-leading 1.49 goalsagainst average.

Baker, who started the seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves, had three points (all assists) in his first four games with Trenton. And McBain had six points, including three goals, in his first 13 contests with the Jr. Canadiens.

HAWKS SPORT PINK JERSEYS The Hawkesbury Hawks are doing their part to raise awareness of breast cancer.

All of the Hawks players are wearing pink jerseys for their five home contests during the month of October.

The Hawkesbury organization is also encouraging its fans to wear pink to October home matches.

Fans have an opportunity to bid on all of the team’s pink game-worn jerseys. All of the proceeds from these jerseys will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

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MINOR

FEATURE

COURTESY OF TORONTO YOUNG NATIONALS

Toronto Young Nationals General Manager Garry Punchard (back left) celebrates a Kraft Cup victory with the 2015 Minor Atom Nats, one of many teams he oversees each week.

HockeyNow Spotlight:

GARRY PUNCHARD

Seasoned General Manager of the GTHL’s Toronto Young Nationals shares what over 50 years in minor hockey has meant for him STORY Nicholas Carafa

T

ORONTO YOUNG NATIONALS GENERAL MANAGER Garry Punchard had no idea that a simple act of kindness would evolve into the position he holds today.

“I made the mistake of going out to help the team to run some drills and the guy asked if I wanted to help out every week,” Punchard said lightheartedly. “I said ‘I can be here every week’ because I was refereeing at the time.”

The officiating soon came to an end and his top priority was to be part of the minor hockey experience of his nine-year-old son Brett, who is now a coach for the Nats Midget team.

Coaching a Toronto Young Nationals team would continue his contribution to the game that has now surpassed the 50-year mark.

While he had no previous experience in coaching children, the opportunity to draw on his minor-hockey experience, where Roger Neilson called the shots, was precious. “[Neilson] was a great teacher of the game. He knew how to handle kids even though he didn’t have any,” said Punchard of the 2002 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.

“He was genuine – there wasn’t ever any cursing in the room – and your parents never had to worry when you

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

were with him because that's how he’d act.”

For Punchard however, the coaching stint wasn’t a lengthy one. Not long into his coaching tenure, he left his position behind the bench for one in the stands as the Nats assistant general manager. Since then, he’s been watching his organization’s teams, from minor bantam to midget, five days a week.

And so far this season, it is Punchard’s minor midget team that holds organizational bragging rights. By Thanksgiving, Wayne Primeau’s club was sitting atop the Kraft Cup standings (5-1-1) at 11 points through their first seven games. Their first loss of the season didn’t come until October 10 when the Toronto Marlboros shut them out 3-0.

“Wayne has been with this team since atom,” said Punchard. “He spent a little more time this year recruiting the team, so our team is pretty decent right now. It’s early in the year but we believe having a bigger, stronger team [is contributing to our success] this year.”

The relationship and familiarity developed over a five-year span should not be underestimated.

Strategically, Primeau has seen his players react in various situations and know when to utilize their strengths while having the time to progress their

weaknesses. It’s this growth from year to year that is Punchard’s favourite part of the game. He’s been fortunate enough to see the likes of Tyler Seguin, Reilly Smith and the Lindros brothers make their way through his organization.

While it definitely makes the season easier when skilled players fill your lineup, the hard part comes prior to the turn of the calendar.

“Toronto is a different kettle of fish,” Punchard explained. “If your team is picked by the middle of January (for the following year), there's something wrong and the coach hasn’t done his job. The actual recruitment of players for the following season started at this year’s puck drop.”

Recruiting coaches and players, all while dealing with parents who want the best for their kids can be challenging, but Punchard knows it’s just part of the package.

Above all, and beyond the pressure of winning and losing, he wants to make sure that his teams enjoy the game every time they step on the ice.

“I talked to our teams before they played their first games and gave them a rundown of what we expect from the team,” said Punchard. “Winning isn’t everything but it’s a lot better to win than to lose. It's like going to school and you have a guy getting 50 per cent and another gets 90 per cent. The guy getting 90 is going to be a lot happier than the guy getting 50.”

“WINNING ISN’T

EVERYTHING BUT IT’S A LOT BETTER TO WIN THAN TO LOSE.” Garry Punchard, Toronto Young Nationals general manager While he left the coaching tactics at the door a long time ago, if asked, he’ll give his opinion on how to improve a struggling team. And on top of all the responsibilities that come with being the general manager, he’s happy to take the time to offer guidance to his players.

“It's all about positive encouragement. When you play as a team and make the good plays, you will rise to the top,” he reinforced. “Instead of trying to score by yourself while your teammate is wide open in the corner.”

With advice like this, and countless hours of mentorship, Punchard has helped develop thousands of Toronto Nationals over the years – and hopes to develop many more for years to come.

HAVE YOU FOUND ME YET? Keep looking for your chance to win a WINNWELL HOCKEY STICK. More info on PAGE 3

ACROSS CANADA

BRITISH COLUMBIA MINOR HOCKEY NEWS

ALBERTA MINOR HOCKEY NEWS

ONTARIO MINOR HOCKEY NEWS

BC OFFICIAL GETS CALLED UP

INAUGURAL AFHL SEASON KICKS OFF

GTHL PRESENCE FELT AS NHL SEASON KICKS OFF

The inaugural Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) season kicked off at the beginning of the month.

Earlier this year, Hockey Alberta announced that they were creating a unified development stream for the province’s female Bantam and Midget players, dubbed the Alberta Female Hockey League.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League is one of the, if not the, biggest minor hockey organizations in the country.

Although this section is usually dedicated to teams, tournaments and player achievements, it’s high time to recognize the guys who have one of the hardest jobs on the ice: the referees.

Vancouver’s own Nathan Van Oosten has been selected by the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) to wear the linesman stripes at the upcoming 2017 World Junior Hockey Championships in Montreal, Quebec and Toronto.

The dedication and enthusiasm to make the NHL for a lot of promising prospects is often talked about, but in the case of others like Van Oosten, who started officiating games at the age of 12 for the Langley Minor Hockey Association (MHA), their stories are frequently left unsaid.

Van Oosten the BC Hockey Above Minor Officiating Program while serving as a BC Hockey instructor and linesman in the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL), the BC Hockey League (BCHL) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) league. He is also a current Western Hockey League (WHL) linesman and has officiated in the American Hockey League (AHL).

With Van Oosten making the trip to Ontario, he becomes the sixth consecutive BC Hockey official to be named to the IIHF tournament.

WHITEHORSE HUSKIES HOSTING 2017 COY CUP The Whitehorse Huskies will host the 2017 Coy Cup, a Senior Male AA Championship, in March 2017 at Takhini Arena.

The Coy Cup was first awarded in the 1922-23 season in recognition of the Senior AA Amateur Hockey Champion of British Columbia.

“Whitehorse is a passionate hockey community and the support of the Huskies fan base is impressive,” Barry Petrachenko, BC Hockey Chief Executive Officer, told the league’s website. “We are confident Whitehorse will host an exceptional event and look forward to bringing this event to the Yukon.”

The Huskies have endured much turmoil during their existence, and the team has folded and been revived a number of times over the years.

In their first two years as a team, the Whitehorse Huskies played Senior Male AAA hockey and won the Allan Cup in 1993, the Senior Male National Championship.

The rebirth is entering its second season since its latest falling years ago and have been rewarded the event after they lost the event to the Fort St. John Flyers last season.

“We are looking forward to Whitehorse hosting the Coy Cup in March,” BC Hockey Adult Male Coordinator, Trevor Bast, told the league’s website. “The Huskies have reignited senior hockey in the community over the past year, and we know they will put on a great event.”

In Midget AAA action, the Lloydminster PWM Steelers were sitting in first place in the standings with 11 points in six games, closely followed by the Rocky Mountain Raiders with 10 points in five games. The St. Albert Slash and Calgary Fire were tied at nine points, and the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs and Edmonton Pandas were sitting at the bottom with three points apiece. The Bantam Elite and Midget Elite levels, each divided into north and south divisions with six teams each, opened their season on Oct. 15.

Prior to the season, AFHL Chair Greg Nesom shared a message with the league. “The changes we embarked on three long years ago were to renew this great program bringing forth a new and improved model for our players of today and tomorrow,” he wrote. “Focusing on athlete development, peers playing with peers and a sustainable model that recognizes the societal and economic demands on our Alberta families, the foundation was laid for a successful transition to a new model that best meets the needs of our membership.”

The league website was also launched earlier this month. You can find news, schedules and standings at www.afhl.ca.

LETHBRIDGE TO HOST 2017 PEEWEE PROSPECTS CUP Hockey Alberta has announced that Lethbridge, Alberta will play host to the 2017 Peewee Prospects Cup. The tournament runs every two years, rotating with the Alberta Winter Games. With this season designated to the Alberta Winter games, the 2017 rendition of the Prospects Cup will feature 2004-born male players taking part in four regional camps to receive elite training prior to the tournament.

These camps will subsequently provide the tournament with the top-40 athletes, who will then be divided into two teams. By the time the Prospects Cup rolls around in 2017, there will be eight teams looking to claim their bi-yearly championship.

“We’re very excited to bring the Peewee Prospects Cup to Lethbridge,” Team Alberta Coordinator Dustin Moore said to Hockey Alberta.

“We’re looking forward to working with the Pronghorns to deliver a memorable experience for everyone involved.”

The City of Lethbridge has hosted many high profile tournaments, including most notably the Alberta Cup in 2011 and 2012.

MINOR

Every year, handfuls of players are taken in the OHL Priority Selection, with the hopes of spending two years to develop their craft and then hear their name called once again by an NHL general manager.

After the Sarnia Sting took him first overall in the 2014 Priority Selection, former Toronto Jr. Canadian Jakob Chychrun is breaking into the NHL this season with the Arizona Coyotes. The left-handed defenceman was taken with the 16th overall pick this past June.

Joining Chychrun in the desert will be Toronto Marlboros alum Dylan Strome. Dylan is the second Strome to make it to the show, with older brother Ryan taken in the first round of the 2011 Draft.

While the desert dogs also have former Don Mills Flyers Max Domi on their squad, it’s the Calgary Flames who lead the entire league with six GTHL alumni: Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, Freddie Hamilton, Sam Bennett, Sean Monahan and Matt Stajan.

The Marlboros account for the largest number of active GTHL alumni (64) with 28 per cent. As for league wide, 8.9 per cent of NHL players once skated in the GTHL. Of those players, four wear the ‘C’ for the respective clubs: John Tavares (New York Islanders), Giordano (Calgary Flames), and Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues) and now the youngest captain in NHL history, Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers).

OMHA LAUNCHES NEW HOME ICE WEB SERIES This season, the OMHA is kicking off its web series Home Ice, that will follow the Whitby Wildcats throughout their 2016-17 minor midget AAA season.

“Home Ice will provide a behind the scenes look at the Minor Midget year and is one of the first video series of its kind in minor hockey,” said OMHA Executive Director Richard Ropchan. “The OMHA continues to showcase the talent and hard work of our minor hockey players in new and exciting ways while remaining a leader in developing good people.”

Like the NHL’s 24/7 that started off following teams participating in the Winter Classic, the OMHA’s rendition will present roughly the same thing. This series hopes to highlight in particular players being strong role models who are working hard on the ice, in their schools and in their communities. Essentially, the series will both be dedicated to players’ paths to the OHL, as well as their lives off the ice.

October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

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MINOR

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

THE SEARCH IS ON

FOR HOCKEYNOW’S PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

W

ITH THE HOCKEY SEASON UNDERWAY, IT’S TIME FOR HockeyNow to once again begin the search for our Player of the Year in B.C., Alberta and Ontario. The Player of the Year award has a rich history and was first given to Colin Fraser in 2000, who went on to win two Stanley Cups.

Other notable past award winners include 2011 NHL first overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins; Karl Alzner, and Stefan Elliott, as well as 2015 Ontario winner Gabriel Vilardi, who is projected to go in the top 5 at the 2017 NHL Draft.

The award is presented annually to players in their CHL draft

14

- AB 2002S, OCTOBER 2016

year from each B.C., Alberta and Ontario. Winners are chosen based on their hockey ability and performance, and they must exemplify strong leadership, sportsmanship, and school and community involvement.

The Player of the Year Selection Committee, headed by B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and Vancouver Canucks alum Dave Babych and International Scouting Services founder and head scout Dennis MacInnis, assembles preliminary lists of players, released each month. Here are the lists for October.

PRELIMINARY LIST - BC 2002S, OCTOBER 2016

PRELIMINARY LIST

SOURDIF, JUSTIN [C] Top prospect, Can do it all, skate, shoot, check, was dominating all weekend. Scored big goals in tournament and was a force.

Total package and compete level is high.

GUHLE, KAIDEN [D] Smooth skating and his ability to control the pace of the game.

Guhle has the potential to be a 2-way defender in the WHL in the future.

HUGHES, JACK [C] Great skater; very good edge work and top end speed. Hard snap shot that he can get away on the rush at full speed.

Projects as a top line forward at the OHL/NCAA level.

SHEPARD, COLE [LW] Quick, smart , fast and creates chances with speed, protects puck down low and takes puck to the net hard. Undersized but uses speed and quickness to elude defenders.

MCCLENNON, CONNOR [C] Top 3 prospect in BC.controls game, sets pace and tone, has excellent hockey sense and awareness on the ice, works hard and isn't afraid to mix it up.

REES, JAMIESON [C] Center with average size. Very good skater with good speed and quickness. Quick hands. Can make plays with the puck at top speed.

THURSTON, TREVOR [D] Has bite to his game, hard to play against, plays vs top line every shift. Produces on the PP due to his good shot and passing ability, makes good out let passes.

DUBINSKY, COLE [C] Crafty little offensive player with slick passing skills and offensive instincts. A natural play-maker with excellent vision.

Very high hockey IQ

AGUANNO, ANTHONY [D] Good, strong skater with speed and showed the ability to rush the puck. Walks line with the puck well and has a heavy point shot.

BOWEN, ETHAN [C] Strong skater with good speed. Was strong on the for check and supported well on the back check, Good offensive upside due to his vision and his skating.

PROKOP, LUKE [D] Very solid, plays against top lines , shut down d man. Plays a big role on a good team and kills PK and plays PP. Solid prospect that contributes to the team success

BURRIDGE, JEFF [RW] Has a tremendous shot, hard and accurate. Knows where he needs to be in the O-zone, is strong in the corners off the cycle.

BORYSIUK, JORDAN [C] Attacks with speed, likes to beat defenders 1 on 1 , has good size, makes smart decisions with and with out the puck.Very good on the cycle and uses size to protect the puck.

CRNKOVIC, KYLE [C] Highly skilled smaller dynamic player, scored 2 goals in final game and was top forward in the tournament. Fast and quick with excellent hockey sense

CLARKE, GRAEME [RW] He is a shooter; takes a high volume of shots. Protects the puck well in the offensive zone and is dangerous working off the cycle.

HockeyNow October 22, 2016

PRELIMINARY LIST - ON 2001S, OCTOBER 2016

RANKED PROSPECTS

I

NTERNATIONAL SCOUTING SERVICES (ISS) RELEASED THEIR FIRST LIST OF NHL Draft Prospects with their Top 30 for October. Occupying the third spot is Gabe Vilardi, HockeyNow’s 2015 Ontario Minor Hockey Player of the Year, who is sitting comfortably in the top 5 scorers early in his sophomore season with the Windsor Spitfires. Visit ISStop30.com to see monthly interactive prospect lists.

PLAYER

POS

BIRTH

HT./WT.

TEAM

1

NOLAN PATRICK

C

9/19/1998

6.02.5/190

Brandon, WHL

2

TIMOTHY LILJEGREN

RD

4/30/1999

6.00/191

Rogle, SweJE

3 GABE VILARDI Windsor, OHL

BORN August 16, 1999 in Kingston, ON, CAN POSITION SHOT HEIGHT WEIGHT Centre R 6.03 201 4

KLIM KOSTIN

C

5/5/1999

6.03.5/183

Dynamo, KHL

5

MAXIME COMTOIS

LW

1/8/1999

6.02.25/199

Victoriaville, QMJHL

6

KRISTIAN VESALAINEN

LW

6/1/1999

6.04/202

Frolunda, SweJE

7

EELI TOLVANEN

LW

4/22/1999

5.11.75/181

Sioux City, USHL

8

SASHA CHMELEVSKI

C

6/9/1999

5.11.25/191

Ottawa, OHL

9

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN

C

4/17/1999

6.05.75/215

Tri-City, WHL

10

CALLAN FOOTE

RD

12/13/1998

6.03/200

Kelowna, WHL

11

OWEN TIPPETT

RW

2/16/1999

6.01.5/202

Mississauga, OHL

12

NIKITA A. POPUGAEV

LW

11/20/1998

6.04.5/191

Moose Jaw, WHL

13

CASEY MITTELSTADT

C

11/22/1998

5.11.5/192

Green Bay, USHL

14

NICOLAS HAGUE

RD

12/5/1998

6.05.5/206

Mississauga, OHL

15

RYAN POEHLING

C

1/3/1999

6.01.75/183

St. Cloud State, NCHC

16

MARTIN NECAS

RW

1/15/1999

6.00.5/167

Brno Kometa HC, CzeE

17

KIRILL SLEPETS

LW

4/6/1999

5.10/144

Yaroslavl, MJU17

18

JUUSO VALIMAKI

LD

10/6/1998

6.01.5/200

Tri-City, WHL

19

LUKE MARTIN

RD

9/20/1998

6.02.5/207

Michigan, BigTen

20

MARK RUBINCHIK

LD

3/21/1999

6.01/183

Saskatoon,WHL

21

URHO VAAKANAINEN

LD

1/1/1999

6.01/187

JYP Jyvaskyla, FinE

22

SHANE BOWERS

C

7/30/1999

6.01.25/178

Waterloo, USHL

23

LIAS ANDERSSON

LW

10/13/1998

5.11.5/198

HV71, SweJE

24

STELIO MATTHEOS

C

6/14/1999

6.00.75/192

Brandon, WHL

25

BRETT DAVIS

C

6/1/1999

6.00.75/178

Lethbridge, WHL

26

NICO HISCHIER

RW

1/4/1999

6.00/174

Halifax, QMJHL

27

MATTHEW STROME

LW

1/6/1999

6.03.5/206

Hamilton, OHL

28

ROBIN SALO

LD

10/13/1998

6.00.5/187

Sport Vaasa Jr., FinJrA

29

JACK STUDNICKA

C

2/18/1999

6.01/171

Oshawa, OHL

30

ANTOINE MORAND

C

2/18/1999

5.10/178

Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL

GOALIE

POS

BIRTH

HT.

TEAM

1

STUART SKINNER

G

11/1/1998

6.03.5/209

Lethbridge, WHL

2

UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN

G

3/9/1999

6.04.5/196

HPK Hameenlinna, FinE October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

15 19 11

Ahead o 16

of the Game

BY NEIL HILTS

PROGRAMS LIKE THE FIRST SHIFT AND DREAMS COME TRUE, ALONG WITH MINOR HOCKEY INITIATIVES, ARE GIVING KIDS LIKE NIGERIAN-CANADIAN SEAN AFOLABI THE CHANCE TO LACE UP AND EXPERIENCE CANADA’S FAVOURITE PASTIME.

I

CE IN NIGERIA IS AN INCREDIBLY RARE SIGHT. IN FACT, THERE IS ONLY one rink in all of Lagos, a city with over 17 million residents.

Hockey is even more uncommon, so don’t blame Lagos-born Sean Afolabi for not even knowing about the sport before he came to Canada two years ago.

He saw the local Calgary Flames – now his favourite team – on TV and many of his friends at school were playing, so he asked his mother to find out how he could get involved.

“It was my mom that found out about it,” said seven-year-old Sean. “I said ‘ok I’m going to go for it.’”

He tried The Canadian Tire First Shift last fall, and now Sean is entering his first season of minor hockey with Calgary’s Simons Valley Hockey Association.

For just $199, Sean was outfitted with full hockey gear and got to take part in a six-week program, plus made friends in The First Shift. He said the program solidified the fact he had chosen a great sport to play.

“I made friends and it was my first time skating,” Sean said. “I like skating around the ice and playing with the puck.”

Sean’s mother, Tolulope, explained she had heard about hockey during her junior high physical education classes, but had never been exposed to it. Despite that, she said she was excited when Sean wanted to play.

“I thought it was great,” Tolulope said. “Such a great way to make friends, meet different people you’d never meet in your life. I was glad when he said he wanted to try.”

Sean’s first day of minor hockey began on Oct. 1 this year, coinciding with his seventh birthday, and he could not have been more elated.

The First Shift helped alleviate some equipment expenses for the Afolabis, but they were still faced with the cost of registration.

“In fact, that was the main [problem] when I started asking friends,” Tolulope said. “They said it is quite expensive. I said ‘Ok, it’s high, but let me just ask if there is an easier way for new immigrants.’ So I started asking questions and found out about fee assistance.”

17

HOCKEYNOW/NEIL HILTS

The Afolabi family, Sean (left), Jade, Mike and Tolulope (back), moved from Lagos, Nigeria two years ago and are becoming engrained in the Canadian culture. The family is excited to watch Sean take part in his first year of hockey with the Simons Valley Hockey Association this fall.

Calgary has other options to help subsidize fees, such as Comries Sports Equipment Bank, KidSport, Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, and the Calgary Flames Foundation.

Across the nation, The First Shift is easily the biggest program and is getting a massive boost.

THE FIRST SHIFT GAINING SPEED

18

639,510

634,892

625,152

572,411

577,077

584,679

558,991

Programs like The First Shift, Dreams Come True and Every Kid Every Community are all geared towards the same goal: growing the game and removing barriers for player participation. Although it’s been difficult to track the longterm success of initiatives like these, according to their 2015 Annual Report, Hockey Canada has seen consistent growth in their registration numbers and is projected to have another strong year.

617,107

GROWING THE GAME 552,914

Under the banner of “Every Kid Every Community,” Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation offer player assistance and community grants in an effort to “provide every child in Alberta the opportunity to play hockey, have fun and, in many cases, experience the sport for the first time.”

COURTESY OF THE HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION

This year, Canadian Tire has joined The First Shift as a title sponsor, and will help run the program alongside Bauer, Hockey Canada and Rogers Sportsnet.

According to Mary-Kay Messier, Vice President of Marketing for Bauer Hockey, Canadian Tire’s involvement will help The First Shift see drastic growth this year – and beyond.

“We’re thrilled about that because it really provides us the opportunity to dramatically expand the program offerings. Although we’ve been going coast-to-coast-to-coast, with this program, we’re able to double the number of programs we’re offering.”

Messier also mentioned that Canadian Tire’s involvement will allow the program to bring on advisors to help families with the process, including fittings and any other questions that arise.

“To date, we’ve brought 5,000 new families into the game and our projection over three years is 15,000,” Messier said. “Thinking about the impact it will have on registration, it’s a two per cent increase.”

Messier said the program’s goal is not to increase revenue directly, but rather to boost registration and interest in the sport.

“We feel as leaders in sport, we are the No. 1 brand globally, that we have an obligation to grow the game and to ensure the future of the game. You look at the sport and the participation is flat, and at some point if the leaders don't step up, the sport itself could be at risk.”

“It’s definitely not a money maker,” Messier said, “it really takes a tremendous effort in collaboration and investment to pull this program together, which is quite unique if you think about the partnerships,” In addition to the increase in First Shift offerings, Messier said they also plan to have 10 all-girls programs this year, with more to be added going forward.

HOCKEY CANADA COVERING ALL BASES

Paul Carson, Hockey Canada’s vice president of membership development, said Hockey Canada is committed to making hockey more accessible, especially for new Canadians, and support a number of programs.

“The big ones nationally would be The First Shift program and The Hockey Canada Foundation’s Dreams Come True program,” Carson said.

“Those kids may receive additional funding in subsequent seasons to help support in terms of financial demands. It isn’t just about getting them into the game, it’s about helping sustain their participation in the game.”

Hockey Canada Foundation’s Dreams Come True, established in 2007, outfits young players in new gear and provides financial support for registration fees and other related costs.They work with Canadian Tire and Jumpstart to find eligible players to assist.

Hockey Canada also works with the seven Canadian NHL teams on the Learn To Play program. The NHL and NHLPA run this in every city with an NHL franchise and the turnouts are always phenomenal.

Add in Esso Fun Days, targeted towards girls in minor hockey, and Hockey Canada has programs for all demographics necessary to grow the game.

The nation’s governing board for hockey also works on their marketing the game to new Canadians.

“We're producing all of our informational collateral in 12 different languages and even in the trailer itself has ‘Try Hockey’ in 12 different languages,” Carson said.

The transition to a new country with different cultures, customs and often languages can lead to some unrest, so it’s no surprise hockey may not be the first thought for immigrants coming into the country.

“Brand new Canadians don’t have sport engagement on the top of their list,” Carson said. “People who watch hockey and realize hockey is a part of Canada’s cultural fabric wonder how to get involved.”

Carson says Hockey Canada currently can’t track the numbers of new Canadians joining hockey, mainly due to privacy concerns, but it is something that might need to be developed in the next few years as the interest and need for information is there.

546,237

Here is a look at Canadian Minor Hockey Player Registration by season, from 2005 to 2015.

05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 HockeyNow October 22, 2016

COURTESY OF THE HOCKEY ALBERTA FOUNDATION

The First Shift, with new title sponsor Canadian Tire, is doubling down its efforts this year and is projecting to bring 15,000 families into the sport over the next three years, with the goal of bringing in 1,000,000 families worldwide in the next 10 years.

Recently, Hockey Canada created new ways to reach potential new players.

“As a result of the World Cup of Hockey Legacy Funding, we’ve put together what we call a community caravan,” Carson said. “Our pilot will be in the Greater Toronto Area. It’s a vehicle and trailer loaded with everything from floorball equipment to skates, sticks, gloves and helmets.”

MINOR HOCKEY PROGRAMS DOING THEIR PART

Along with the programs Hockey Canada executes nationally, some minor hockey programs also carry out independent local outreaches.

Take the Surrey Minor Hockey Association (SMHA), located in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, which caters to one of Canada’s most culturally diverse communities.

The most recent census of Surrey, completed in 2011, listed the population at 468,251, with approximately 20 per cent of residents speaking Punjabi, and another significant group speaking either Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin, or Korean.

SMHA president Harbs Bains said the organization works hard to accommodate families that may be unfamiliar with hockey in order to make them feel comfortable.

“Whatever language they speak, we have members of our association that can follow up with them and make sure they can appreciate the sport a lot more by learning in the language they are more comfortable in,” Bains said.

“When the kids come to the rink, we make sure we meet them, greet them and make sure if they need equipment we can meet them at one of the two main shops in Surrey.”

Bains says there is more that can be done and is working with other minor associations in the Lower Mainland to help share their findings and develop new initiatives.

On the other side of the country, the Greater Toronto Hockey League’s (GTHL), executive director Scott Oakman says The First Shift has been one of the most successful programs for the league.

“We have five different First Shift programs taking place in our jurisdiction this season,” Oakman said. “They have proven to be a fantastic opportunity for players who aren’t playing the game to get a chance to see how they like it. The retention rate of those players, depending on the program, is between 70 and 90 per cent.”

Although Oakman says the GTHL doesn’t have any formal marketing campaigns directed at new Canadians, the minor hockey groups within the

COURTESY OF THE CANADIAN TIRE FIRST SHIFT

The Hockey Alberta Foundation coordinates several fundraisers to support their Every Kid Every Community Program, including Rinks to Links, an annual golf tournament run in partnership with ATB Financial.

"WHAT BETTER WAY TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PART OF THE CANADIAN CULTURE THAN EXPERIENCING WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE CANADIAN GAME?" SCOTT OAKMAN, Executive Director for the GTHL league interact in their communities to garner interest in the sport.

Outside of the First Shift, Oakman says the GTHL has a learn to play program coming in January or February of 2017 and backed by a significant partner.

“I think it’s an opportunity for corporations to make their mark – for those of them that are stepping up and helping those families that want to learn more about the Canadian experience when they move to this country,” Oakman said. “What better way to feel like you're part of the Canadian culture than experiencing what is considered ‘the Canadian game?’”

From a provincial standpoint, Hockey Alberta and the Hockey Alberta Foundation have two big-time programs they support, and executive director Tim Leer said the Foundation’s main focus is to get more kids to pick up a stick.

“As a foundation, we raise money to grow the game and get kids into the game under of the banner of Every Kid Every Community,” Leer said. “Any fundraising we do goes towards that and what we do is promote that through minor hockey associations as much as we can get it out.”

“This isn’t for one city and not just minor hockey, but for all of Alberta and any group can apply as long as they meet the criteria,” Leer continued.

The Hockey Alberta Foundation also runs Rinks to Links, in partnership with ATB Financial, to support the the Every Kid Every Community program.

“Kids who are not playing the game of hockey – it’s usually about 30 kids a year and we partner with Comrie Sports Equipment Bank, give them gear and take them out on the ice. We also give them a golf lesson on the course with some of the pros on the Mackenzie Tour so they get a full day of golf in various stations and then we get them to the rink,” Leer said.

This year, Calgary had a waiting list for The First Shift, so Hockey Alberta asked those kids and got them into Rinks for Links.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AFOLABIS?

As Sean embarks on his first full season of minor hockey, he already sounds like the perfect player. When asked about his favourite part of the game, he simply answered “teamwork.”

But what role does Sean want to play? Goal scorer, playmaker, shutdown defenceman?

“I’ll be the skater that tries to take the puck,” Sean said confidently.

As the oldest of three, Sean is leading the way for his siblings to try hockey. Younger brother Mike, four, took his first skating lessons last year and will do so again before he is old enough to participate in The First Shift.

Their sister, Jade, is a few years away, but already seems to have developed a love for hockey.

“She’s been carrying the puck and the little hockey sticks. I think she’s going to play if she likes it,” Tolulope said of her daughter.

Regardless if her kids all get into hockey or not, the stay-at-home mom is thrilled to watch Sean lace up.

“I can’t wait to see him play and cheer along,” Tolulope said with a smile.

19

PACIFIC JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

CLOSE RACE IN BRITTAIN CONFERENCE TO START PJHL SEASON Three teams are off to a hot start in the PJHL season and are in an early battle for top spot in the Brittain Conference.

The Ridge Meadows Flames are 9-2 and have a one-point lead over the Abbotsford Pilots (8-2-0-1), while the Aldergrove Kodiaks (7-3) aren’t far behind either.

DOUG ABBOTT PHOTO

Bradley Crompton and Andrew Strelezki are leading the way for Ridge Meadows as top 10 scorers in the league.

Crompton is fifth with 17 points (eight goals and nine assists) through 11 games, while Strelezki is one spot back with 16 points (eight goals and eight assists) in the same timespan.

The Flames have also skated to the league’s best goal differential at +18.

In goal, rookie Braedon Fleming got off to a soaring start, going undefeated through five games with two shutouts, a 1.78 goals against average and .946 save percentage.

He was recently called up by the Jr. A Langley Rivermen while newcomer Paul Tucek looks to hold down the number one spot.

Operating with the league’s best penalty kill and third best power play has helped propel the Flames to the top as well.

Kolby Steen, a key piece in the Mission City Outlaws’ championship run last year, is leading the Pilots in scoring with 19 points (eight goals and 11 assists), good for second in the league in his final season of junior eligibility. He’s currently facing a two-game suspension for checking from behind.

Jackson Waniek sits fourth in the league with 17 points (eight goals and nine assists), including a hat trick that led Abbotsford to a 5-2 win over the Delta Ice Hawks on Oct. 11.

Jacob Crawford is in his third and final season with Abbotsford and was one of the league’s most reliable goalies last year. He’s been busy so far, averaging more than 35 shots against per game while posting a .906 save percentage.

Rookie Noah Giesbrecht has shown promise over three games, winning all of them while ranking first in save percentage (.945) and second in goals against average (1.50).

Ridge Meadows Flames goalie Braedon Fleming gets ready for this shot from Nico Bruno of the Grandview Steelers.

For Aldergrove, Cameron Davitt (third in league scoring with 12 goals and five assists in nine games) and Quincy Leroux (seven goals and five assists in eight games) are both averaging at least a point and a half per game.

Rookie Holden Davidson was recently brought in

PACIFIC JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

and has looked great through four games, posting a league best 1.40 goals against average and second best .938 save percentage.

(seven goals and 13 assists) while Jackson Tadey is in the top 10 at eighth place with 14 (six goals and eight assists).

Here’s a look around the rest of the league.

North Vancouver also has the league’s best power play, clicking at 27.59 per cent to go along with the third best penalty kill.

Overage defenceman Cameron Cuthbert is leading the team in scoring with 13 points (three goals and 10 assists) while rookie Jordan Bogress and Mark Trotman are also point-per-game players.

GRANDVIEW STEELERS (6-1-0-3, FIRST IN SHAW CONFERENCE) Last year’s finalists haven’t missed a beat to start the season, losing only once in regulation through their first 10 games. While there’s a lot still to be desired offensively, they’ve allowed a league-low 27 goals against. Rookie Matteo Paler-Chow has assumed the role of starting netminder early on and has excelled with a 2.24 goals against average and .911 save percentage.

PORT MOODY PANTHERS (4-6-0-0, FIFTH IN SHAW CONFERENCE) They may be at the bottom of the Shaw Conference, but four wins out of 10 games is nothing to balk at. It’s a much better pace than last year’s 11-win season. They’re finding ways to win despite being one of the lower scoring teams and not having much in the way of special team support.

Keito Lee and Daniel Szpakowski are the scoring leaders while Riley Welyk has taken on the bulk of duties in goal.

RICHMOND SOCKEYES (3-4-1-2, FOURTH IN SHAW CONFERENCE) Richmond has struggled on special teams,

MISSION CITY OUTLAWS (3-4-1-2, FOURTH IN BRITTAIN CONFERENCE) The Outlaws knew they would be in for a rebuilding year after last year’s crop of veterans led them to their first PJHL championship in franchise history. This season is playing out exactly as expected from that perspective. Still, Baylee Wright and Michal Holub are averaging more than a point per game while rookie Matthew Trulsen has done his part to keep the Outlaws in games, facing almost 40 shots per game while posting a .910 save percentage.

NORTH VANCOUVER WOLF PACK (5-5-1-0, SECOND IN SHAW CONFERENCE) The Wolf Pack is one of the highest scoring teams early on, thanks in large part to Ian Creamore’s soaring start to the season. He has collected a league-leading 20 points

SURREY KNIGHTS (0-8-0-1, FIFTH IN BRITTAIN CONFERENCE) It’s tough for the Knights to take anything as a positive. They’re playing in a new home after moving from Langley over the summer, but the same issues are still plaguing the Knights, who won only four games last year. Surrey is still a very inexperienced squad and have relied on overager Blake McCulloch, Nicolas Bizzutto and Kiret Dosange for the bulk of their offence. Rookies Stephen Newbury and Jeevan Bains have split time in goal with no one establishing themselves as the favourite.

DOUG ABBOTT PHOTO

DELTA ICE HAWKS (5-5-0-0, THIRD IN SHAW CONFERENCE) The Ice Hawks are running in the middle of the pack after a surprising run to the Shaw Conference finals. They have great special teams so far with the league’s second best power play and fourth best penalty kill.

ranking last in both power play and penalty kill, but still find themselves two points back of the second place Wolf Pack thanks to strong defence and netminding from the trio of reigning goalie of the year Kurt Russell, Jack Stradiotti and Marek Pipes. Offensively, Brett Gelz is leading the way with 11 points (six goals and five assists).

Jackson Waniek of the Abbotsford Pilots scores one of three goals in a game against the Delta Ice Hawks.

FEMALE

CWHL

CWHL SEASON PREVIEW 5 Teams. 1 Champion. Calgary, Montreal, Brampton, Toronto and Boston locked and loaded to fight it out for the 2017 Clarkson Cup STORY Kristi Patton

W

ITH SEASON-OPENERS IN THE BOOKS, AND games slowly underway, teams have been shaking up their rosters in the hopes of claiming (or retaining) the Clarkson Cup. 2015 champion Calgary Inferno have no intentions of giving up the crown, but a number of big moves throughout the rest of the league won’t make things easy for them. Here is our look at how the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s are stacking up this season.

get around the likes of Meaghan Mikkelson, who will lead the defensive corps. Only one adjustment comes to this area with draft pick Kaitlyn Gosling taking over for the retiring Kelsey Webster.

If that isn’t scary enough, the Inferno’s offence looks like a Team Canada lineup: Brianne Jenner, who led the team in scoring last season, Rebecca Johnston, Bailey Bram, Jill Saulnier, Hayley Wickenheiser, and the list goes on.

Some interesting pickups this year include Russian star forward Iya Gavrilova. She has left her mark in the CIS as a member of the University of Calgary Dinos and as a bronze medallist with Russia at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

“There are so many great players on this team so it is an honour to be part of the team,” said Gavrilova. “I honestly don’t care who I play with, everyone on the Inferno is so good it doesn’t matter. I just hope I can keep up.”

CALGARY INFERNO

BEGIN DEFENCE OF CWHL TITLE

LES CANADIENNES DE MONTREAL

NOT WILLING TO SETTLE FOR SECOND PLACE The Clarkson Cup runner-ups made a poignant statement just days before puck drop — electing Marie-Philip Poulin their captain.

DAVE HOLLAND/CWHL

It will be tough to find a hole in the defending CWHL Clarkson Cup champion Calgary Inferno’s roster.

Goaltending: covered, three fold. Offence: no problem.

Defence: good luck getting past the blue line.

On paper, the Inferno look almost unbeatable – from the net out. It starts with a trio goaltenders in Olympian Genevieve Lacasse, Delayne Brian and NCAA star and Team Canada up-and-comer Emerance Maschmeyer.

"Every goalie that is out there today can play, so that is really cool. We get to compete against each other every day and it will only bring out the best in us,” said Maschmeyer.

On the blue line, opposing teams will find it hard to

The veteran team decided Poulin was the one to lead them back to the Clarkson Cup finals. And, it was a smart choice. Poulin has served in the role with Team Canada at the 2015 and 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship, 2015 4 Nations Cup and with the Boston University Terriers.

“Words can’t express how honoured I am to be chosen by my teammates. I truly believe that everyone in our locker room is a leader,” said Poulin. “This is a united group that will stand for one another. I am so thankful for this opportunity to keep growing and learning from my peers.”

Poulin, who was the Canadiennes first round pick in 2015, dominated in her rookie season with 46 points in 22 games to win the Angela James Bowl as the league’s top scorer. She also took the Jayna Hefford Trophy (MVP), as voted by the CWHL’s Player Association.

Forwards Caroline Ouellette, Ann-Sophie Bettez and defenceman Cathy Chartrand will serve as alternate captains.

“Since day one with Les Canadiennes, Marie-Philip has impressed. She’s a natural leader and trailblazer, setting the example with her outstanding play and consistent work ethic,” said general manager Meg Hewings. “With Caroline Ouellette, Cathy Chartrand and Ann-Sophie Bettez by her side, we have one of the most experienced and impressive leadership groups in the game today.”

Les Canadiennes added skill and depth to their roster this season by drafting Boston University star Sarah Lefort, who broke Poulin’s previous scoring records and is now the all-time leader in goals and points.

“Being drafted by Les Canadiennes is a huge honour as I will find myself playing in Montreal where my hockey career began. I am also extremely excited to be playing alongside some of the greatest players in the world in the CWHL and am looking forward to a great season,” said Lefort.

On the blue line, Les Canadiennes will see Cassandra Poudrier and Brittney Fouracres make an immediate impact. Poudrier was part of the gold medal squad at the 2015 4 Nations Cup and the 2010 gold medal winning team at the U18 world championships. Fouracres has been a force with the McGill Martlets in the CIS, earning all-star team honours, and a championship title in 2014.

BRAMPTON THUNDER LOOK TO PICK UP OFFENCE

The Brampton Thunder kicked off the CWHL opening weekend with a rematch of last season’s Clarkson Cup semifinals.

Brianne Jenner waits for the faceoff as the Calgary Inferno host the Brampton Thunder in at the Markin McPhail Centre at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta on Oct. 8.

22

HockeyNow October 22, 2016

DAVE HOLLAND/CWHL

CWHL

FEMALE

For the first time ever, the CWHL is streaming 14 games for free this season.

Games will be shown on YouTube, in addition to the four games that will be broadcast on SportsNet (two regular season games, the CWHL All Star Game and the Clarkson Cup final).

Tune in to see the following games live: { OCT. 22, 2016 5:30PM EST Toronto Furies @ Les Canadiennes de Montreal { OCT. 29, 2016 8:00PM EST Brampton Thunder @ Toronto Furies { NOV. 19, 2016 6:30PM EST Calgary Inferno @ Brampton Thunder { NOV. 26, 2016 7:30PM MST Boston Blades @ Calgary Inferno { DEC. 3, 2016 7:30PM EST Les Canadiennes de Montreal @ Boston Blades

Emerance Maschmeyer stops Sarah Edney on a breakaway as the Calgary Inferno host the Brampton Thunder in Canadian Women's Hockey League home-opener action.

With the bitter taste of losing to the Calgary Inferno still in their mouths, revenge will have to be found another day. However, in the face of a team stacked with Olympians and Team Canada talent, they didn’t lay down.

Almost playing the spoiler for the Inferno’s Clarkson Cup banner raising night, the Thunder took them into extra time, losing 3-2 in the shootout and then getting burned by the Inferno the following night by the same score in regulation.

2016 draft pick Laura Stacey will be a leader on and off the ice. The former captain at Dartmouth knows how to handle a team that is struggling offensively.

The Thunder will continue to roll with goalies Erica Howe and Liz Knox.

“Many of our wins came because of our goaltending.

Howie and Knoxy on and off the ice are leaders and their CWHL experience will help our rookies,” said Thunder head coach Tyler Fines.

TORONTO FURIES OPENING UP SPACE FOR YOUNG TALENT

Two veteran names for the Furies made last minute decisions to retire to continue their off-ice careers, making room for even more young talent.

This includes the Furies draft picks Erin Ambrose and Renata Fast. The pair were teammates at Clarkson University and are NCAA Frozen Four Champions. Not only

are they already familiar with each other but they give the Furies a solid stay-at-home defenceman and Ambrose is good on both ends of the ice.

One of the most well-known Furies players, thanks to her standout play in a Team Canada jersey and resilient effort on The Amazing Race Canada, Natalie Spooner was named captain this season.

{ DEC. 10, 2016 5:30PM EST Calgary Inferno @ Les Canadiennes de Montreal { DEC. 17, 2016 6:30PM EST Boston Blades @ Brampton Thunder { JAN. 7, 2017 5:30PM EST Les Canadiennes de Montreal @ Boston Blades { JAN. 14, 2017 8:00PM EST Brampton Thunder @ Toronto Furies

BOSTON BLADES STARTING FRESH AFTER MAJOR OVERHAUL

The loss of CWHL star goaltender Genevieve Lacasse in the off-season as she packed her bags for Calgary could be a major hit for the Boston Blades.

However, opportunity is abound. A significantly different roster is giving players the chance to step up into roles to get the team back on their feet after a dismal 2015-16 season.

With the first pick in the first round the Blades selected Kyla Tutino, former captain at Boston University. The Quebec native registered 144 points in 164 games in her college career. Boston will lean on additional draft picks, Lauren Dahm being one of them, in net. The Blades drafted a number of goalies in the summer and the one who spends the most time between the pipes will have to be stellar if last year’s record of 1,023 shots is any indication of the workload the netminders will be facing.

“These players will provide the Blades with much needed depth, both up front and in the defensive zone,” said general manager Krista Patronick.

Canadian Olympian Tara Watchorn will have to be a leader on the blue line again with a roster that includes about half the team (17 players) wearing a Blades jersey for the first time.

{ JAN. 28, 2017 6:30PM EST Les Canadiennes de Montreal @ Brampton Thunder { FEB. 4, 2017 8:00PM MST Boston Blades @ Calgary Inferno { FEB. 18, 2017 5:30PM EST Brampton Thunder @ Boston Blades

OUR 2016 NOMINEES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES AT HockeyOctober Now.ca /fans-choice 22, 2016 H N ockey

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23 19 11

FEMALE

4 NATIONS CUP

ANDY DEVLIN/HOCKEY CANADA

Canada’s National Women’s Team will be on the hunt for gold at the 4 Nations Cup after losing the U.S. last year in two major international tournaments, including the IIHF Women’s World Championship.

2016 4 NATIONS CUP TEAM CANADA ROSTER GOALTENDERS ERICA HOWE - Brampton Thunder GENEVIÈVE LACASSE - Calgary Inferno EMERANCE MASCHMEYER - Calgary Inferno

DEFENCEMEN

ON THE HUNT FOR GOLD Team Canada sets their roster for the 4 Nations Cup and looks to better their 2015 performance STORY Kristi Patton

C

ANADA HAS THEIR SIGHTS SET ON WINNING THE Team Fall Festival from Sept. 12 to 18 in Calgary. Out 4 Nations Cup in early November. of those players, 15 were there when Canada lost to the “This is a proven group of players that have all U.S. at the 2016 IIHF Women’s World Championship. represented Canada on the international stage,” said Laura Laura Stacey, a 2016 draft pick for the Canadian Women’s Schuler, head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Team, Hockey League Brampton Thunder, will be making her told Hockey Canada. “This event marks another oppordebut with the national team at the 4 Nations Cup. tunity for our players to show us they have what it takes The biggest difference from the 2015 roster will be seen to wear the Maple Leaf, and we are looking forward to in the forwards Canada is taking. Haley Irwin returns to hitting the ice in Finland as we look to reclaim gold.” the national team program after recovering from a conThe annual tournament has been held since 1996, in cussion, putting her back in the lineup for the first swim various forms, with Canada capturing the title 14 times. in two years. Canada has also invited Melodie Daoust, The U.S. is next in wins, taking that honour six times.

Brianne Jenner, Janelle Kohanchuk and Jamie Lee Rattray.

In its 21st year, the 4 Nations Cup will bring together That leaves Jillian Saulnier, Sara Potomak, Sarah Nurse, the four top women’s hockey countries in the world – Emily Clark, Blayre Turnbull and Sarah Lefort off the list.

Canada, Finland, Sweden, On defence, Canada sees and the United States. the return of Tara Watchorn, Twenty-four players were Erin Ambrose and Jocelyne announced to Canada’s roster Larocque to the blue line. in early October to play in The 4 Nations Cup will the upcoming 2016 4 Naserve as an evaluation opportions Cup in Vierumäki, tunity for Canada’s National Finland, Nov. 1 to 5.

Women’s Team coaching staff Canada’s roster includes and Hockey Canada scouts, three goaltenders (Emerance led by Melody Davidson, genMaschmeyer, Genevieve Laceral manager of national womasse and Erica Howe), seven en’s team programs, for the defencemen, and 14 forwards 2017 IIHF Women’s World that were chosen following Laura Schuler, Championship in Plymouth, Canada’s National Women’s Canada’s National Women’s Team Head Coach Mich., and 2018 Olympic

“THIS IS A PROVEN

GROUP OF PLAYERS THAT HAVE ALL REPRESENTED CANADA ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE.”

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

ERIN AMBROSE - Toronto Furies COURTNEY BIRCHARD - Brampton Thunder RENATA FAST - Toronto Furies LAURA FORTINO - Brampton Thunder JOCELYNE LAROCQUE - Brampton Thunder LAURIANE ROUGEAU - Les Canadiennes de Montreal TARA WATCHORN - Boston Blades

FORWARDS MEGHAN AGOSTA - Hockey Canada BAILEY BRAM - Calgary Inferno JESSICA CAMPBELL - Calgary Inferno MÉLODIE DAOUST - McGill University (RSEQ) SARAH DAVIS - Calgary Inferno HALEY IRWIN - Calgary Inferno BRIANNE JENNER - Calgary Inferno REBECCA JOHNSTON - Calgary Inferno JENELLE KOHANCHUK - Toronto Furies MARIE-PHILIP POULIN - Les Canadiennes de Montreal JAMIE LEE RATTRAY - Brampton Thunder NATALIE SPOONER - Toronto Furies LAURA STACEY - Brampton Thunder JENNIFER WAKEFIELD - Linköping HC (SWE)

Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. Players will continue to be evaluated with their club teams during the 2016-17 season, leading up to the world championship next April.

The U.S. team will see only small changes to their roster from their gold medal-winning performance at the world championship. Amanda Kessel will be competing for the U.S. for the first time since the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, after suffering a concussion that sidelined her. Hannah Brandt will make her first U.S. appearance since the 2015 U22 series against Canada and Shelby Amsley-Benzie will make her debut with the U.S. national team.

“It’s one of two tournaments this season so for us to be able to come out of the gate strong and to see what our player pool is like. It will be a fun way to start,” said Reagan Carey, USA Hockey’s director of women’s hockey.

Canada will take to the ice first in an overseas exhibition game against Finland on Oct. 30, and opens the tournament against Finland on Nov. 1. The red-and-white also faces Sweden (Nov. 2) and the U.S. (Nov. 4) in preliminary-round action. The bronze and gold medal games will be played on Nov. 5.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

FEATURE

JACK MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Mathew Robson is grateful to be back in Junior A hockey after a series of injuries and suspensions delayed his major junior and NCAA ambitions.

STOP AND START

Mathew Robson finding success back in junior hockey after injuries and red tape left him sidelined far too long STORY Marshall Mackinder

T

HE PENTICTON VEES HAVE HAD AN INCREDIBLE my options were for going the NCAA route,” said Robson. run in the last ten seasons under the direction of “I played in three exhibition games for the Petes and most head coach Fred Harbinson. people think that if you play one game in the OHL, your In the last decade, the Vees have compiled a record of NCAA eligibility is gone, but I had heard of some other 382-109-10-30 and also claimed a national championship, players appealing so once I got to Clarkson, the school one Western Canada Cup, three BCHL championships and I started the process.” and four Interior Division championships.

The NCAA-CHL eligibility rules are hotly contested, Annually, the team commits a number of its players and have been for years. According to College Hockey to NCAA Division I programs. For Mississauga, Ont. Inc., “because the CHL includes players who have signed native and current Vees goaltender Mathew Robson, his professional contracts, the NCAA considers it a profesNCAA route took a twisty turn that has landed him in sional league. Therefore, players who have played a game the Okanagan.

– even an exhibition game – in the CHL are deemed After winning the 2014-15 OJHL championship with ineligible for NCAA competition. There are paths to have his hometown Toronto Patriots, Robson committed to NCAA eligibility reinstated for players who have played Clarkson University (ECAC) and was excited to take his a limited number of CHL games, but they are not guartalents to Potsdam, N.Y. However, the NCAA ruled he anteed and must be initiated by an NCAA school.” was ineligible to play because he had signed a standard Robson won his appeal to regain his NCAA eligibility player contract with the OHL’s Peterborough Petes when but was still suspended from playing for a season and a he was 16 years old. half. After sitting out one full year of hockey at Clarkson, The Petes had drafted Robson in the eighth round Robson decided to leave school to get back to playing of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. Robhockey for the remainder of his NCAA son also attended the Petes’ 2012 and suspension and found a new home in 2013 training camps and in an Penticton. unfortunate coincidence, suf“The coaches at Clarkson fered major injuries both have good connections with years and never suited up Fred (Harbinson), they ON THE MENTAL SIDE OF THE GAME for a single regular seatalked, Fred did some son (or playoff) game recruiting, and I landfor Peterborough. ed in Penticton,” said HockeyNow.ca/performance/ask-saul “I was playing for Robson, who knew the Petes affiliate in the history and sucLindsay for two cess the Vees have seasons and missed accomplished over my (NHL) draft the last decade unyear (in 2014), so I der Harbinson, and SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST AND HUMAN KINETICS wanted to see what said that was an even AUTHOR DR. SAUL MILLER MAY SELECT YOUR

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

bigger draw to the West Coast.

It hasn’t taken Robson long to adjust to hockey again after his nearly 18-month layoff since winning the OJHL crown in the spring of 2015. The 20-year-old goaltender stopped all 21 shots he faced in his BCHL debut over Prince George on Sept. 10 in a 4-0 win.

“I had the butterflies and was shaking the first 10 minutes of the game, but after making a few saves, I just was in the game and totally forgot everything and just played the game,” Robson said. “Getting the shutout was really cool. We have a really good team here, too, and that always helps.”

Robson recently had his introduction to how passionate the hockey fans are in Penticton after starting the Vees home opener at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Oct. 1 to an announced crowd of over 3,000.

“Coming from a place in the OJHL where our crowds were parents, friends and relatives and now to have 1,000 people in your rink for an exhibition game is insane,” said Robson. “It is a surreal experience. I saw sitting in the stands (at Clarkson) what big crowds are like, but it is a completely different thing to be a part of once you are on the ice. This facility is second to none in all of Canada.”

As an overage player on the Vees this season, paired with his experience of being a part of an NCAA team, Robson will provide leadership and guidance for teammates looking to impress NCAA scouts.

“Mathew has such a professional attitude on and off the ice and has been a big help for the kids who are skating for an NCAA scholarship,” said Harbinson. “He is not arrogant about having the NCAA experience, but rather he is confident and mentoring the younger kids and I think they look up to him because he has been where they are striving to be. On any great team, you build from the back end and we feel we have that starting with Matthew in the net.”

Harbinson describes Robson as an athletic, big-bodied goalie who plays with a calmness in his net and doesn’t overthink the game. Robson, listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, will act as a solid mentor to younger backup goalie Nolan Hildebrand.

By Christmas, Robson will have served his NCAA suspension and will be eligible to attend any NCAA school and play hockey. Robson and Harbinson both indicated there is a lot of interest and Robson will take his time choosing his next school.

Robson obtained his release from Clarkson and will not be going back to Potsdam.

In the meantime, Robson will play the season in Penticton while getting his two-year degree from Okanagan College and then transferring those credits to the school he will attend in the fall of 2017.

The Vees are hosts to the 2017 Western Canada Cup in the spring and automatically earn a berth in the tournament. After winning the OJHL championship in 2015 but coming up short in the Dudley Hewitt Championship two seasons ago with the Patriots, Robson is optimistic he and the Vees will get in through the front door rather than the back.

“This is my second chance to get to the RBC Cup and it will be really nice to finish my junior career with that accomplishment,” he said.

One thing is sure, the school that manages to land Robson will have one talented and driven student-athlete on their hands.

INQUIRY TO ANSWER IN HIS NEXT COLUMN!

October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

DETERMINED TO FIGHT HARRISON GRAY NOT BACKING DOWN IN FACE OF DEBILITATING DISEASE Harrison Gray is not the biggest player on the Burnaby Winter Club Pee-Wee A4 team but he is, without a doubt, the youngster with the strongest will and desire to play hockey.

Harrison or Harry as he is called around the BWC, started playing hockey at an early age and was crazy about the sport.

But at the age of eight, he started developing medical issues which slowed, but did not stop, Harry from playing hockey.

Then during his first year of Atom, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

The affliction is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.

It affects about 3.2 per 1,000 people in North America with an incredibly miniscule percentage of children developing Crohn’s at eight years old.

The disease tends to start in the teens and twenties, although it can occur at any age with males and females being equally affected “It was a difficult time for the family,” said Chris Gray, Harrison’s father.

“Harry had to quit hockey immediately to deal with the issues of the disease. He was on medication daily that had side effects but it stabilized his bleeding and weight loss. Once that was

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

under control, he went back to playing hockey.”

The courageous little boy had been a member of the North Shore Winter Club (NSWC) but transferred to the Atom 5 BWC program after his family saw how happy their eldest son was skating with the Bruins E15 team.

Harry played Atom A5 hockey in his first BWC season with Brad and Neil Reynolds. It was one of the best years in hockey for Harry but was also one of the worst emotionally.

The knee joint and hip pain from the disease would be crippling as Harry needed crutches to get around.

The pain was never in the same place. Some nights he would lie awake with his dad or mom by his side, icing one side of his knee and a heating pad on the other.

It was the only way he could sleep. Sadly for Harrison and the Gray family, there have been many nights spent like that.

But despite the discomfort and uncertainty of his medical condition, nothing seems to keep Harry off the ice.

Sometimes he misses back-to-back games or tournaments where there could be several contests on the weekend. It all depends on the arrival and severity of the joint pain and how much he can withstand.

The joint pains come and go. Sometimes every three days, sometimes it could be weeks.

Now in his second season of PW A4 with the Kim brothers as his coaches, dad Chris is quick to give credit to the BWC for keeping his son interested and motivated to continue playing hockey.

“If it wasn’t for Maco (Balkovec) BWC Academy Director and the coaches, he would have quit,” admitted Chris.

“It was tough for him to move to BWC from the NSWC as his brother had 10 years of success at the NSWC. The rivalry was huge during this time. As soon as he put the BWC jersey on, he was at home. It has been the best moments for him as he deals with this life altering disease.”

As for Harry’s coach, Bryan Kim, he cannot say enough good things about his demeanour, work ethic and upbeat attitude which he has maintained through his difficult journey.

“Harry possesses all the attributes that every person should strive for on and off the ice. While he is small in stature, his heart and determination is larger than any player I have ever coached,” Kim said.

His bench boss was not fully aware of his player’s serious condition until nearly halfway through last season.

Harry did not want to use his condition as a crutch and wanted to be held accountable and treated like everyone else.

“While I have enjoyed coaching and mentoring hundreds of kids during my four years of coaching hockey,” said Kim, “I can honestly say that Harrison really stands out from the pack because he has shown and taught me what a model teammate and player should be.”

ALEX D'ADDESE/RYERSON ATHLETICS

U SPORTS

Goaltender Charlie Graham is just one of 18 players suiting up for the Ryerson Rams this season with major junior hockey experience. OHL grads account for close to 200 players who are playing in U Sports men's hockey in 2016-17.

BRIGHT FUTURES

OHL alumni take advantage of league’s scholarship program, with 198 grads set to commence on U Sports rosters this year STORY Randy Lucenti

T

HE INFLUX OF CHL PLAYERS INTO U SPORTS (formerly CIS) men's hockey has been well documented and a selling point for major junior teams in their quest to woo players away from NCAA Division 1 hockey.

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has done an admirable job of educating promising youngsters, and more importantly their parents, about the academic opportunities available to them by choosing the junior path over the college programs south of the border.

Every graduating player from the OHL is eligible for a scholarship to a university, college, trade or technical school from their respective teams with funds administered through the league office.

Known as the OHL Centrally Administered Scholarship Program, the league spent close to $3 million in 2015-16, with 315 alumni attending 57 different academic institutions.

According to the OHL numbers, 198 grads are beginning the 2016-17 season on U Sports rosters as a result of the scholarship program with 148 of those players, including 22 players who completed their junior careers in 2015-16,

competing with Ontario University Athletics schools.

Among the Ontario schools, Ryerson leads the way with 18 former OHLers on the Rams roster while the Queen's Gaels have 13.

The Rams, under the guidance of first-year interim head coach Johnny Duco, added five first-year OHL grads for the 2016-17 campaign to go along with 13 returning major junior alumni.

Once again, the Sarnia Sting figured prominently in Ryerson's addition with three players coming on board this season. In all, former Sting players number six on the Rams roster.

The incoming Sting are goaltender Charlie Graham from Toronto, along with forwards Matt Mistele from Whitby and Devon Paliani from LaSalle. The other OHL newcomers are defenceman Austin Kosack (Oakville) from the North Bay Battalion and forward Josh Sterk (Arthur) from the Owen Sound Attack.

Graham, 21, played 188 games (81 wins, 20 draws) over parts of five OHL seasons with the Belleville Bulls, Hamilton Bulldogs and Sting. He was between the pipes

COLLEGE

for the Rams in their 2016-17 season openers and picked up a pair of wins (4-2 over Windsor Lancers and 6-3 over Laurier Golden Hawks).

Mistele, 20, had 58 points (33G, 25A) in 61 games for the Sting and Oshawa Generals last year. He was drafted in the sixth round (180th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.

The other Ram players with OHL credentials include: Brodie Barrick (Sting, 2015); Alex Basso (London Knights, 2014); Josh Chapman (Sting, 2015); Brandon Devlin (Mississauga Steelheads, 2015); Taylor Dupuis (Sting, 2015); Michael Fine (Saginaw Spirit, 2012); Jamie Lewis (Windsor Spitfires, 2015); Chris Marchese (Guelph Storm, 2015); Luke Mercer (Niagara IceDogs, 2015); Daniel Poliziani (Storm, 2013); Landon Schiller (Soo Greyhounds, 2013); Mitchell Theoret (Barrie Colts, 2014); and Andreas Tsogkas (Brampton Battalion, 2012).

The Kingston Gaels are also featuring several OHL alums, with four 2015-16 grads joining the team this year. Defenceman Graeme Brown, a native of Gananoque, from the Kingston Frontenacs, defenceman Nevin Guy (Mountain) from the Ottawa 67's, forward Andrew Ming (Williamstown) from the Hamilton Bulldogs and forward Francesco Vilardi (Kingston) from the Flint Firebirds are set to lace up for the Gaels.

They will be joining other former OHL players Spencer Abraham (Erie Otters, 2014); Dylan Anderson (67's, 2010); Kevin Bailie (Knights, 2013); Jacob Brennan (Steelheads, 2015); Slater Doggett (Spitfires, 2015); Cory Genovese (Otters, 2015); Darcy Greenaway (Frontenacs, 2014); Eric Ming (IceDogs, 2014); and Warren Steele (Frontenacs, 2014).

The Gaels opened their new season with a split, losing 4-3 to Carleton Ravens before rebounding with a 4-2 victory over Ottawa Gee-Gees.

OHL grads have also ventured outside of the OUA with a total of 47 playing for clubs in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS), including 11 suiting up for the St. FX X-Men, and another three travelling west to play for Alberta schools in the Canada West University Association.

The other OUA teams and their OHL grad total are: Brock Badgers, 10; Carleton Ravens, 9; Guelph Gryphons, 9; Lakehead (Thunder Bay) Thunderwolves, 10; Laurentian (Sudbury) Voyageurs, 6; Laurier Golden Hawks, 10; McGill Redmen, 4; Nipissing (North Bay) Lakers, 6; Ottawa Gee-Gees, 3; Toronto Varsity Blues, 5; UQIT (Oshawa) Ridgebacks, 11; Waterloo Warriors, 9; Western Mustangs, 11; Windsor Lancers, 6; and York Lions, 8.

The OHL grads, who once had thoughts of hoisting the Memorial Cup, now set their sights on helping their respective schools capture the University Cup.

October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

27 19 11

COLLEGE

NCAA

KELSIE REDBURN PHOTO

HOBEY BAKER AWARD CONTENDERS STAND OUT IN EARLY SEASON The most sought after individual award in NCAA hockey is the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the player judged to be the best in the nation at the conclusion of the season.

A number of names were tossed about even before the initial puck drop on the 2016-17 season and a few of those names came out of the gate flying.

A pair of players from the reigning national champion University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks were on most lists of possible Hobey challengers.

ROARING START RIT Tigers and Canadian-heavy roster hoping to start season strong and finally break through Frozen Four STORY Randy Lucenti

T

HE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (RIT) Tigers are seldom mentioned in the same breath as the NCAA Division 1 men's hockey powerhouses of North Dakota, Minnesota, Quinnipiac or Boston University, but they continually ice squads more than capable of knocking off the big boys at any time.

Led by Guelph, Ont. native Wayne Wilson, who enters his 18th season as head coach in 2016-17, the Tigers earned their third trip to the national tournament last year.

Wilson, who sports a 320-195-60 record in his tenure heading into this campaign, has a lot of Canadian company in Rochester with 20 of the 26 players on the Tigers roster coming from north of the border.

Just a couple of games into the new season, the Tigers showed they have plenty of fire power up front, scoring 11 times as Rochester earned a split with Robert Morris University.

Senior Caleb Cameron from Sundridge, Ont., sophomore Liam Kerins from Caledon, Ont., junior Myles Powell from Courtenay, B.C. and sophomore Gabe Valenzuela from Brampton, Ont. all find their names among the top early scoring leaders in the nation.

Before heading to Rochester, all four players put up big offensive numbers and all four could be ready for a breakout season in 2016-17.

Cameron played for the Listowel Cyclones in 2012-13 and had 90 points (35G, 55A) in just 48 games. He was named MVP of both the Midwest Junior Hockey League and the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. He also was named as the Canadian Junior B Player of the Year during a ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

He registered eight and 15 points during his first two

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

seasons at RIT and matched that 15-point total (5G, 10A) in 32 games last season.

Kerins had 13 goals and nine assists in 36 games with the Tigers in 2015-16 after putting up 74 points (37G, 37A) and placing fifth in league scoring with the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Powell led all Tigers in goals last year with 15 and was second in assists with 17 in 39 games after registering 10 points (4G, 6A) in his freshman campaign. Prior to RIT, he led the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in scoring with 59 points (21G, 38A).

Valenzuela tallied 28 points (13G, 15A) last season and was named RIT Rookie of the Year after toiling for the North York Rangers in the OJHL in 2014-15, placing fifth in league scoring with 76 points (34G, 42A).

The other Canadians on the Tigers roster are: sophomore goaltender Christian Short, Vaughan, Ont.; freshman defenceman Adam Brubacher, Elmira, Ont.; freshman defenceman Brody Valette, High River, Alta.; sophomore forward Abbott Girduckis, Belleville, Ont.; junior defenceman Chase Norrish, Strongfield, Sask.; junior defenceman Brady Norrish, Strongfield, Sask.; freshman forward Shawn Cameron, Sherbrooke, Que.; freshman forward Ryan Kruper, Sherwood Park, Alta.; senior forward Danny Smith, Edmonton, Alta.; sophomore forward Erik Brown, Keene, Ont.; senior forward Todd Skirving, Thunder Bay, Ont.; junior defenceman Matt Abt, Leduc, Alta.; freshman defenceman Chris McKay, Edmonton, Alta.; freshman forward Jordan Peacock, Burlington, Ont.; senior defenceman Alex Perron-Fontaine, St. Mathieu de Beloeil, Que.; and sophomore forward Mark Logan, Calgary, Alta.

Junior netminder Cam Johnson allowed just a single goal in his first two starts, both wins while sporting a .964 save percentage. Sophomore Hawks forward Brock Boeser tallied six points (1G, 5A) and was a plus five in those two games. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

The most sought-after freshman this year is also a member of the Hawks and has been mentioned in Hobey talks.

Tyson Jost from St. Albert, Alta. had a goal, two helpers and was a plus-four with seven shots a goal in his debut games. He was drafted in the first round (10th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche this past spring.

Junior forward T.J. Moore of the Holy Cross College Saints pushed his name forward by scoring six times and adding a pair of assists in his first two games of 201617. He had 28 points (15G, 13A) last season and tallied 23 points (11G, 12A) during his freshman season so he is no stranger to hitting the scoresheet, although keeping up that pace will be hard to do.

T.J. Moore has six goals and a pair of assists in just two starts with the Holy Cross College Saints in the early season.

MARK SELIGER PHOTO

Caledon, Ont. native Liam Kerins (9) is among a handful of Canadian-born players who is off to a fast start with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Tigers in NCAA Division 1 hockey. Twenty players from north of the border will suit up for the Tigers in 2016-17.

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

OCTOBER 2016 GRAND RAPIDS, MI | Oct.28 - 30 OneHockey 2016 Grand Rapids Halloween Hat Trick. Male & Female.

Divisions: Peewee, Bantam, Squirt.

Levels: AA. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com

OTTAWA, ON | Nov. 25 - 27 12th Annual Capital Mid-Season Showdown. Male.

Divisions: Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee, Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Major Midget.

Levels: A, B. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca

NOVEMBER 2016

DECEMBER 2016

BRADFORD, ON | Nov. 4 - 6 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Atom - Midget.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com CLEARWATER BEACH, FL | Nov. 4 - 6 Clearwater Beach, FL Adult/ Oldtimers Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior, Junior.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com OTTAWA, ON | Nov. 4 - 6 12th Annual Capital Fall Classic - Weekend 2. Male.

Divisions: Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Major Midget.

Levels: AA, A. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca BARRIE, ON | Nov. 11 - 13 Barrie Colts AAA Remembrance Day Tournament . Male.

Divisions: Novice - Midget.

Levels: AAA. Contact: james@weekendhockey.com eekendhockey.com.

OTTAWA, ON | Nov. 11 - 13 34th Annual Kanata Girls Hockey Association Competitive Tournament.

Female.

Divisions: Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca BRADFORD, ON | Nov. 18 - 20 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Minor Peewee - Midget.

Levels: A, B, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | Nov. 18 - 20 CANADIAN CUP I. Male & Female.

Divisions: Atom - Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com CHICAGO, IL | Nov. 25 - 27 CHICAGO THANKSGIVING CLASSIC. Male & Female.

Divisions: Initiation, Novice, Tyke, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

Levels: AAA, AA , A, B. Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | Nov. 25 - 27 MONTREAL YOUTH FALL CLASSIC 1. Male & Female.

Divisions: Initiation, Novice, Tyke, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

Levels: AAA, AA , A, B. Contact: tournaments@icesports.com or ccthockey.com STOWE, VT | Nov. 25 - 27 STOWE VERMONT THANKSGIVING CLASSIC. Male.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Major Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com RICHMOND, ON | Nov. 25 - 27 RMMHA House League Novice A, B, & C Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Novice.

Levels: A, B. Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com

BRADFORD, ON | Dec. 2 - 4 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Initiation - Midget.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | Dec. 2 - 4 CANADIAN CUP II. Male & Female.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Squirt.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com ROCHESTER, NY | Dec. 2 - 4 OneHockey 2016 Rochester High School Rebound AAU. Male.

Divisions: Bantam, Midget, Juvenile, High School.

Levels: Senior, Junior.

Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com ROCHESTER, NY | Dec. 2 - 4 OneHockey 2016 2nd Rochester Red Lamp. Male.

Divisions: Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, Squirt.

Levels: AA, A. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com LAKE PLACID, NY | Dec. 9 - 11 AMERICAN CUP II. Male & Female.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Squirt.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com OTTAWA, ON | Dec. 9 - 11 3rd Annual GCGH Kickin Ice in the Capital. Female.

Divisions: Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca THUNDER BAY, ON | Dec. 15 - 18 2016 Thunder Bay Kings Invitational Showcase. Male.

Divisions: Peewee, Bantam, Minor Midget, Major Midget.

Levels: AAA. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com OTTAWA, ON | Dec. 16 - 18 13th Annual Ottawa Senators Novice Holiday Classic. Male.

Divisions: Novice.

Levels: AAA, AA, A, B, House, All Levels.

Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca ROCHESTER, NY | Dec. 16 - 18 OneHockey 2016 Rochester Hockey Fest. Male.

Divisions: Novice, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, Juvenile, High School, Squirt.

Levels: AA,A,B. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com ROCHESTER, NY | Dec. 16 - 18 OneHockey 2016 Rochester Girls Premier Showcase. Female.

Divisions: Bantam, Midget, Juvenile, High School.

Levels: AA. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com CAMBRIDGE, ON | Dec. 27 - 30 50th Annual Hespeler Olympics Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Initiation - Juvenile.

Levels: A, B, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com

RICHMOND, ON | Dec. 27 Richmond IP Fun Day Holiday Hockey Challenge. Male & Female.

Divisions: Initiation.

Levels: House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com RICHMOND, ON | Dec. 28 RMMHA Midget A House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Midget.

Levels: A, House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com RICHMOND, ON | Dec. 28 RMMHA Bantam A House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Bantam.

Levels: A, House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com RICHMOND, ON | Dec. 29 RMMHA Bantam B House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Bantam.

Levels: B, House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com LAKE PLACID, NY | Dec. 29 - 31 AMERICAN CUP III. Male.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Bantam.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com RICHMOND, ON | Dec. 30 RMMHA Midget B House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Midget.

Levels: B, House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com BURLINGTON, ON | Dec. 30 - Jan 1 Burlington Weekend Hockey Tournament Tournament. Male Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com

JANUARY 2017 OTTAWA, ON | Jan. 6 - 8 13th Annual Capital Winter Classic - Weekend 1. Male.

Divisions: Minor Bantam, Bantam, Minor Midget, Major Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca LAKE PLACID, NY | Jan. 12 - 15 AMERICAN CUP IV. Male.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Bantam.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com BRADFORD, ON | Jan. 13 - 15 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Peewee - Midget.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | JAN. 13 - 15 CANADIAN CUP III. Male & Female.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Squirt.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com QUEBEC CITY, PQ | Jan. 13 - 15 QUEBEC CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Atom - Bantam.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com OTTAWA, ON | Jan. 13 - 15 12th Annual Ottawa Senators Winter Showcase Tournament. Female.

Divisions: Bantam, Midget.

Levels: AA. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca

BLAINE, MN | Jan. 13 - 16 OneHockey 2017 5th Minnesota Gone Wild. Male & Female.

Divisions: Peewee, Bantam, Midget, Squirt.

Levels: AAA, AA. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com BRADFORD, ON | Jan. 20 - 22 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Initiation - Minor Peewee.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com OTTAWA, ON | Jan. 20 - 22 13th Annual Capital Winter Classic - Weekend 2. Male.

Divisions: Minor Atom, Atom, Minor Peewee, Peewee.

Levels: AA, A, B. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca BURTON, MI | Jan. 20 - 22 OneHockey 2017 2nd Flint Forecheck. Male.

Divisions: Novice, Atom, Squirt.

Levels: AA, A. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com JASPER, AB | Jan. 27 - 29 Jasper Pond Hockey Challenge. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com

FEBRUARY 2017 OTTAWA, ON | Feb. 3 - 5 37th Annual Nepean Girls Hockey Association Winter Tournament. Female.

Divisions: Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B. Contact: tournaments@sensplex.ca or sensplex.ca BRADFORD, ON | Feb. 3 - 5 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Initiation - Midget.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com ROCHESTER, NY | Feb. 3 - 5 OneHockey 2017 Rochester Roughing Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget, Juvenile ,High School, Squirt.

Levels: AA, A, B. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com ROCHESTER, NY | Feb. 3 - 5 OneHockey 2017 Rochester Girls Showcase Shootout. Female.

Divisions: Bantam, Midget, High School.

Levels: AA. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com LAKE PLACID, NY | Feb. 10 - 12 AMERICAN CUP VI. Male.

Divisions: Minor Atom - Squirt.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com BRAMPTON, ON | Feb. 10 - 12 Brampton Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com LAS VEGAS, NV | Feb. 10 - 12 Las Vegas Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | Feb. 17 - 19 CANADIAN CUP IV. Male & Female.

Divisions: Novice - Squirt.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com October 22, 2016 HockeyNow

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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

TOLEDO, OH | Feb. 17 - 20 OneHockey 2017 Toledo Top Shelf.

Male.

Divisions: Peewee, Bantam, Midget, High School, Squirt.

Levels: AAA, AA. Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com LAKE WORTH, FL | Feb. 17 - 20 OneHockey 2017 Florida High School Invitational. Male.

Divisions: High School.

Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com LAKE WORTH, FL | Feb. 17 - 20 OneHockey 2017 Florida Mites Cross Ice Challenge. Male.

Divisions: Novice.

Contact: info@onehockey.com or onehockey.com RICHMOND, ON | Feb. 20 RMMHA Atom C House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Atom.

Levels: House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com

MARCH 2017 MONTREAL, PQ | Mar. 10 - 12 CANADIAN CUP V. Male & Female.

Divisions: Novice - Major Midget.

Levels: AA, A, B, Selects.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com RICHMOND, ON | Mar. 10 - 12 RMMHA Atom A & B House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Atom.

Levels: A, B. Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com NIAGARA FALLS, ON | Mar. 10 - 12 Niagara Falls Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com RICHMOND, ON | Mar. 16 - 18 RMMHA Peewee A, B & C House League Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Peewee.

Levels: A, B, House.

Contact: tournaments.rmmha@gmail.com or rmmh.pointstreaksites.com HALIFAX, NS | Mar. 17 - 19 CHE ST. PATTY’S DAY CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com SALMON ARM, BC | Mar. 18 - 20 Salmon Arm Mens Rec Shaw Centre 1.

Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Contact: gord@habs1.ca or salmonarmhockeyschool.com BRADFORD, ON | Mar. 24 - 26 Bradford Blue & Gold Classic. Male.

Divisions: Initiation - Bantam.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com PITTSBURGH, PA | Mar. 24 - 26 Pittsburgh Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com NASHVILLE, TN | Mar. 24 - 26 Nashville Weekend Hockey Tournament.

Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com

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HockeyNow October 22, 2016

PITTSBURGH, PA | Mar. 31 - Apr. 2 Pittsburgh Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com TAMPA, FL | Mar. 31 - Apr. 2 Tampa Weekend Hockey Tournament.

Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com BANFF, AB | Mar. 31 - Apr. 2 BANFF CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com PHOENIX, AZ | Mar. 31 - Apr. 2 PHOENIX CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com NIAGARA FALLS, ON | Mar. 31 - Apr. 2 NIAGARA FALLS CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com VANCOUVER, BC | Mar. 31 - Apr. 2 VANCOUVER CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com SALMON ARM, BC | Mar. 31 - APR. 2 Salmon Arm Mens Rec Shaw Centre ll. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Contact: gord@habs1.ca or salmonarmhockeyschool.com

APRIL 2017 LAS VEGAS, NV | Apr. 6 - 9 GAMBLER CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com BOSTON, MA | Apr. 7 - 9 Boston Weekend Hockey Tournament.

Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com NASHVILLE, TN | Apr. 7 - 9 Nashville Weekend Hockey Tournament.

Male & Female.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com BANFF, AB | Apr. 7 - 9 BANFF CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com NIAGARA FALLS, ON | Apr. 7 - 9 NIAGARA FALLS CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com KELOWNA, BC | Apr. 7 - 9 OKANAGAN GOLF AND PUCK CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com OTTAWA, ON | Apr. 7 - 9 OTTAWA CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com

BRADFORD, ON | Apr. 14 - 16 46th Annual Shamrock House League Select Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Initiation - Bantam.

Levels: B, House, Selects.

Contact: weekendhockey.email@gmail.com or weekendhockey.com FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | Apr. 19 - 23 FLORIDA CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com LAS VEGAS, NV | Apr. 20 - 23 GAMBLER CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | Apr. 21 - 23 Montreal Weekend Hockey Tournament.

Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com CLEARWATER BEACH, FL | Apr. 21 - 23 Clearwater Beach Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com BANFF, AB | Apr. 21 - 23 BANFF CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com KELOWNA, BC | Apr. 21 - 23 OKANAGAN GOLF AND PUCK CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com LAKE PLACID, NY | Apr. 21 - 23 AMERICAN CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | Apr. 21 - 23 CANADIAN CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com LAS VEGAS, NV | Apr. 27 - 30 GAMBLER CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com NIAGARA FALLS, ON | Apr. 28 - 30 Niagara Falls Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male & Female.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com BANFF, AB | Apr. 28 - 30 BANFF CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com KELOWNA, BC | Apr. 28 - 30 OKANAGAN GOLF AND PUCK CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com LAKE PLACID, NY | Apr. 28 - 30 AMERICAN CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com

MONTREAL, PQ | Apr. 28 - 30 CANADIAN CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com QUEBEC CITY, PQ | Apr. 28 - 30 QUEBEC CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com

MAY 2017 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | May 5 - 7 Atlantic City Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com NIAGARA FALLS, ON | May 5 - 7 Niagara Falls Weekend Hockey Tournament. Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com TORONTO, ON | May 5 - 7 Toronto Weekend Hockey Tournament.

Male.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com MONTREAL, PQ | May 5 - 7 CANADIAN CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com NASHVILLE, TN | May 5 - 7 NASHVILLE CUP. Male & Female.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com ROCHESTER, NY | May 5 - 7 ROCHESTER CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | May 19 - 21 ATLANTIC CIY CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com LAS VEGAS, NV | May 26 - 29 GAMBLER CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com

JUNE 2017 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | June 2 - 4 Atlantic City Weekend Hockey Tournamentt. Male & Female.

Divisions: Juvenile, Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels, Senior.

Contact: info@weekendhockey.com or weekendhockey.com BOSTON, MA | June 2 - 4 BOSTON CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com ANCHORAGE, AK | June 16 - 18 ALASKA CUP. Male.

Divisions: Adult Rec. Levels: All Levels.

Contact: goals@chehockey.com or www.chehockey.com

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