WHL Western Hockey League

Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup Begins Thursday

Published on October 26, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - The 2011 Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup begins this weekend as the top 1996-born prospects from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba suit up for provincial bragging rights in Moose Jaw, SK.

The tournament begins on Thursday, October 27th, and wraps up with the Bronze and Gold Medal games on Sunday, October 30th. A total of 80 1996-born players will suit up for their respective provincial Clubs at the tournament, 69 of whom were selected by WHL Clubs in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.

Fans in Moose Jaw will have the chance to see many of the WHL's future stars in action, including top Warriors' prospects Brayden Point (Team Alberta; pictured), Miles Warkentine (Team Saskatchewan) and Josh Uhrich (Team Saskatchewan). It's an opportunity for Moose Jaw hockey fans to get a look at numerous players from across western Canada who will become household names in the WHL down the road.

Team Alberta is the defending champion of the tournament, having won the inaugural edition of the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup in 2009. That team featured several players who are now having a big impact in the WHL, led by current Red Deer Rebels' star defenseman Matt Dumba, who is considered a possible Top 10 pick for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

This year, Team Alberta boasts 10 players who were first-round picks in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft who will be looking to defend their 2009 title. Defenseman Brycen Martin heads up a strong Alberta roster. The 15-year-old Calgarian was the first of two first-round picks in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft by the Swift Current Broncos. A fast and mobile skater, Martin has size and presence on the ice, and brings a high level of hockey sense, intelligence and a heavy shot to the Alberta power play.

Fans in Moose Jaw may want to keep an eye on Team Alberta forward Brayden Point. The first of two first-round picks in the 2011 Bantam Draft for the Warriors, Point is an offensive-minded forward who will play a big role in Team Alberta's attack at the tournament.

"The thing I like about Brayden is that, even though he's a smaller player, he has a very high level of compete and he is very strong in all three zones," said Team Alberta head coach Blair Becker. "He's not necessarily a pure offensive player, but he scored a lot of points because he competes and battles for every inch of ice and he has a high level of skill."

Team Saskatchewan also boasts plenty of top-end talent, with a roster including six players who were chosen in the first round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and who will look to win the championship for the host province.

Defenseman Ryan Pilon leads a big and talented Team Saskatchewan defense corps. The Duck Lake, SK, product was the third overall pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, chosen by the Lethbridge Hurricanes. A big, strong rearguard with good offensive skills, Pilon is a guy who can play a big role in all areas of the ice.

Warriors' fans have added reason to cheer for the host province's entry with Warriors' prospect Miles Warkentine sure to take center stage for Team Saskatchewan. The Prince Albert, SK, native was the Warriors second pick in the opening round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, and is a hard-nosed, physical power forward who makes life difficult on opposing players and who can generate offence.

"He's a strong skater who isn't afraid to go into the hard areas to play, and he's a guy who we think will be a difference-maker for our team, whether it's in a power capacity, offensively or just being a strong competitor," said Team Saskatchewan head coach Curtis Hunt about Warkentine.

Team Manitoba features 14 players who were selected in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, including defenseman Jordan Thomson who was chosen with the fourth overall pick in the draft by the Kamloops Blazers. A dynamic, multi-faceted defenseman, Thomson boasts excellent skating ability to go with leadership qualities and character that have the Blazers eagerly anticipating his arrival in the WHL in Kamloops.

"He's got a phenomenal skill set, he skates very well and is very offensively-minded but also pays attention to the defensive side and plays hard in his own end," said Team Manitoba head coach David Anning. "He's a guy we are going to rely on to play big minutes on the back end and to be one of the leaders in this group."

Team Manitoba also has some Saskatchewan connections with forwards Adam Brooks and Dane Schioler both being second-round picks of the Regina Pats and defenseman Taylor Fisher being a fourth-round pick of the Prince Albert Raiders.

Team BC's roster features 17 players who were selected in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, including three who were chosen in the first round.

Abbotsford, B.C., product Jake Virtanen, who the Calgary Hitmen chose first overall in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, will feature prominently in the tournament for Team BC. A feisty, highly-skilled power forward who boasts tremendous offensive skills and plays with an edge, Virtanen has drawn some comparisons to former Hitmen star Ryan Getzlaf for his blend of skill and physical play.

"Jake Virtanen makes a statement every time he steps on the ice," said Team BC head coach Adam Hayduk. "Virtanen possesses high-end speed with an ability to score electrifying goals, and is a competitor that always makes something happen when he's on the ice."

Other Team BC players fans will want to keep an eye on are defensemen Joe Hicketts, who was a first-round pick of the Victoria Royals and Josh Thrower, a Calgary Hitmen prospect whose older brother, Dalton, plays for the Saskatoon Blades.

GAME SCHEDULE: *all games will take place at Mosaic Place (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan)

Thursday, October 27 Game #1 - Alberta vs Manitoba @ 3:00pm Game #2 - Saskatchewan vs British Columbia @ 7:00pm

Friday, October 28 Game #3 - Alberta vs British Columbia @ 3:00pm Game #4 - Saskatchewan vs Manitoba @ 7:00pm

Saturday, October 29 Game #5 - Saskatchewan vs Alberta @ 11:00am Game #6 - Manitoba vs British Columbia @ 3:00pm

Sunday, October 30 Game #7 - BRONZE MEDAL GAME (3rd Place vs 4th Place) @ 11:00am Game #8 - GOLD MEDAL GAME (1st Place vs 2nd Place) @ 3:00pm

TICKET INFORMATION: Tournament Passes: Day Pass: Adult- $30 Adult- $10 Child- $15 Child- $5 Scout- $20 Parents- $20

Tickets available at: Mosaic Place Box Office - (306) 624-2050

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2011


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