Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup Begins Today
October 28, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB - The 2015 Western Canada Challenge Cup is set to begin this afternoon at the Markin MacPhail Centre (Winsport) in Calgary. The tournament will feature the highest-rated players in the under-16 age category as Team British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba clash today through Sunday, November 1st.
The Western Hockey League will host the event in partnership with BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Hockey Manitoba, as well as in association with Hockey Canada. The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup represents the first step in Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence for players.
Nearly all players competing at the 2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup were selected in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft or have since been listed by WHL member Clubs.
All four teams begin the round-robin schedule today after completing on and off-ice testing Tuesday as part of the WHL Combines program. In partnership with Okanagan Hockey, WHL Combines uses state-of-the-art equipment designed by Sport Testing Inc. to assist players with their skill development. For more information on upcoming 2016 WHL Combines, please visit http://www.whl.ca/whlcombines.
TICKET INFORMATION
All ticket sales will be available at the venue ticket office. For all ticket and event information please visit the event website at www.whl.ca/U16.
All games will also be available to view online via the WHL's streaming platform, WHLLive.com.
Tournament Passes:
Adult - $40
Student (15-24) & Senior (60+) - $30
Day Passes:
Adult - $15
Student & Senior - $10
Youth (14 & Under) - Get in free with their minor hockey jersey or Halloween costume (Wednesday - Sunday)
GAME SCHEDULE
*All games will take place at the Markin MacPhail Centre (WinSport) in Calgary, AB. All times local.
Date Visitor Home Time
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Saskatchewan @ Manitoba 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28 British Columbia @ Alberta 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29 Alberta @ Saskatchewan 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29 British Columbia @ Manitoba 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30 Saskatchewan @ British Columbia 3:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30 Manitoba @ Alberta 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 3rd Place @ 2nd Place 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1 4th Place @ Semi Final Loser - Bronze 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Nov. 1 Semi Final Winner @ 1st Place - Gold 1:30 p.m.
PAST CHAMPIONS
2009 - Team Alberta
2011 - Team Alberta
2012 - Team British Columbia
2013 - Team Alberta
PAST PARTICIPANTS
(Player, WHL Club - NHL Draft/Current NHL Club - Branch Team)
2009
Matt Dumba, Red Deer Rebels - Minnesota Wild - Team Alberta
Derek Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks - Pittsburgh Penguins - Team Saskatchewan
Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings - Edmonton Oilers - Team BC
Morgan Reilly, Moose Jaw Warriors - Toronto Maple Leafs - Team BC
2011
Jake Virtanen, Calgary Hitmen - Vancouver Canucks - Team BC
Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings - Florida Panthers - Team Manitoba
Connor Bleackley, Red Deer Rebels - Colorado Avalanche - Team Alberta
Brayden Point, Moose Jaw Warriors - Tampa Bay Lightning - Team Alberta
Ryan Gropp, Seattle Thunderbirds - New York Rangers - Team BC
Haydn Fleury, Red Deer Rebels - Carolina Hurricanes - Team Saskatchewan
2012
Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds - New York Islanders - Team BC
Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets - Arizona Coyotes - Team Alberta
Jansen Harkins, Prince George Cougars - Winnipeg Jets - Team BC
Brendan Guhle, Prince Albert Raiders - Buffalo Sabres - Team Alberta
Ethan Baer, Seattle Thunderbirds - Edmonton Oilers - Team Saskatchewan
2013
Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants - 2016 NHL Draft - Team Alberta
Brett Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors - 2016 NHL Draft - Team Manitoba
Sam Steel, Regina Pats - 2016 NHL Draft - Team Alberta
Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings - 2016 NHL Draft - Team Alberta
Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings - 2017 NHL Draft - Team Manitoba
Western Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2015
- Oil Kings Can't Solve Raiders - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Silvertips Launch, Introduce New Mobile App - Everett Silvertips
- Giants Acquire Cox from Tigers - Vancouver Giants
- Tigers Acquire Kirichenko from Vancouver - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Regina Pats Expand Spring Junior Program - Regina Pats
- Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup Begins Today - WHL
- Game 12: October 28 vs. Spokane - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Thunderbirds Thump Wheat Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Royals Edged by Hurricanes in Shootout - Victoria Royals
- T-Birds Cut Down Wheat Kings - Seattle Thunderbirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
