QMJHL Launches Gatorade Excellence Challenge
Published on April 22, 2013 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) News Release
BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, April 22, 2013 - The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League today unveiled the schedule for the first ever Gatorade Excellence Challenge, a whole new event on the QMJHL schedule. This year's inaugural event will take place at the Centre d'Excellence Sports Rousseau in Boisbriand from May 3 to 5.
One hundred and twenty of the top prospects for the upcoming draft will be divided into six different teams from Hockey Canada branches on the QMJHL's territory.
The Province of Quebec will be represented by two teams while Prince-Edouard-Island, Newfoundland/Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia will each have one team competing in the event.
Every team will play a minimum of five games during the event.
"Gatorade Canada is excited to be a partner of elite minor hockey and to help athletes perform at their highest level through proper sports fuel," said Shirley Mukerjea, Director of Marketing at Gatorade. "We are very excited to count on the support of Gatorade as title sponsor for this inaugural event which will feature several of our top prospects for the upcoming entry draft. Our futur stars will be able to count on the number one product on the market to stay hydrated throughout this demanding event," commented QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau.
"The goal of this event, which is organized in conjuction with of our partners at Hockey Canada, is to bring the Branches that work in the Provinces in which we operate closer together in order to further the development of players while preparing them for Hockey Canada's Excellence Program and the Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 programs.," commented QMJHL Executive Vice-President Marcel Patenaude.
Games will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday while the Under Armour Combines will take place on Thursday, May 2.
The Combines is the day when participants of the Excellence Challenge go through rigorous on ice and off ice testing. It is a unique experience that gives players a taste of the training requirements needed to succeed at the next level.
Of note, the QMJHL Entry Draft will be held at the Georges-V̮̩zina Centre in Chicoutimi on Saturday, June 8.
The rosters for the event will be announced at a later date.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2013
- QMJHL Launches Gatorade Excellence Challenge - QMJHL
- Beaulieu Cleans Up In Hamilton Bulldogs Awards - Saint John Sea Dogs
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