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WHL Announces 2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup

October 5, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League, in partnership with BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Saskatchewan Hockey Association, and Hockey Manitoba as well as in association with Hockey Canada, announced an event schedule, ticket information and team rosters for the 2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup at a media conference in Calgary earlier today.

This year's event will take place from Wednesday October 28th to Sunday November 1st at the Markin MacPhail Centre (WinSport) in Calgary, AB. Rosters for Team British Columbia, Team Alberta, Team Saskatchewan and Team Manitoba were announced at the media conference.

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup will feature the highest-rated players in the under-16 age category from the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The tournament will be a four-team round robin format and is the first step in Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence for players. Additionally, the event assists the four provincial hockey associations in evaluating top prospects for future high performance programs.

"The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup provides the top prospects in each province with their first opportunity to compete against the best players in their age group," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "The WHL, together with the four Western Branches and Hockey Canada, are proud to support this first step in the Program of Excellence which will showcase the future stars of the WHL and Canada's National Teams for the first time."

The majority of players participating in the event were selected in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft or have since been listed by WHL Clubs. The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup has been sponsored since 2009 by the WHL and has been made possible through financial support provided by the WHL, Hockey Manitoba, BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Hockey Canada.

This year will mark the fifth year of the event. The first ever Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup was held in Blackfalds, Alberta in 2009 and featured four of the top eight players selected in the 2012 NHL Draft. In 2010, the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup was not contested due to the Canada Winter Games. In 2011, the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatchewan Hockey Association hosted the event at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In 2012, the tournament was hosted in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena, the home of the WHL. In 2013, the tournament was again hosted in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena. In 2014, the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup was not contested due to the Canada Winter Games. Team Alberta is a three time champion of the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, capturing the title in 2009, 2011 and 2013 while Team BC won the event in 2012.

TICKET INFORMATION

Advance ticket sales will be available online including Early Bird pricing until October 25th. All additional ticket sales will be available at the venue. For all ticket and event information please visit the event website at www.whl.ca/U16.

Tournament Passes:

Adult - $40 (Early Bird - $30 - Online)

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.

Wednesday, October 28

3:00 p.m. - Saskatchewan @ Manitoba

7:00 p.m. - British Columbia @ Alberta

Thursday, October 29

3:00 p.m. - Alberta @ Saskatchewan

7:00 p.m. - British Columbia @ Manitoba

Friday, October 30

3:00 p.m. - Saskatchewan @ British Columbia

7:00 p.m. - Manitoba @ Alberta

Saturday, October 31

1:00 p.m. - Semi-Final (3rd Place @ 2nd Place)

Sunday, November 1

9:30 a.m. - Bronze Medal Game (4th Place @ Semi-Final Loser)

1:30 p.m. - Gold Medal Game (Semi-Final Winner @ 1st Place)

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

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