Thursday, November 1, 2012

WATCH U16 CHALLENGE CUP LIVE ONLINE

Press Release

Calgary, AB – The top 1997-born players from across western Canada will be showcasing their skills this weekend as the 2012 Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup begins on today, at Father David Bauer arena in Calgary, AB.

The Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup is the creation of the four western provincial hockey associations, in partnership with the Western Hockey League.  The tournament, now in its third year, sees 80 of the top prospects from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia battle it out for western Canadian supremacy.

All games during the four-team round-robin tournament will be streamed LIVE online through the WHL’s streaming internet partner NeuLion.  The online broadcasts will feature the play-by-play of the WHL on Shaw’s Peter Loubardias with analysis provided by WHL Alumni Daryl Henry and Jon Hammond.  Single games and all access packages are available! 
All-Access Tournament Online Pass - $44.95
Single Game Online Pass
- $6.99

CLICK HERE to purchase

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Game Schedule
*all games will take place at Father David Bauer Arena (Calgary, Alberta)

Thursday, November 1
3:30pm - Saskatchewan @ Manitoba
7:00pm - British Columbia @ Alberta

Friday, November 2
11:30am - British Columbia @ Saskatchewan
3:00pm - Alberta @ Manitoba

Saturday, November 3
11:30am - Saskatchewan @ Alberta
7:00pm - Manitoba @ British Columbia

Sunday, November 4
9:30am - BRONZE MEDAL GAME (3rd Place vs 4th Place)
1:00pm - GOLD MEDAL GAME (1st Place vs 2nd Place)

Team Rosters
Up-to-date tournament rosters are available for viewing and download here
http://www.whl.ca/2012u16challengecup

Team Previews
Alberta – CLICK HERE
British Columbia – CLICK HERE
Manitoba – CLICK HERE
Saskatchewan – CLICK HERE

Ticket Information
Tournament Passes:                       Day Pass:
Adult- $30                                           Adult- $10
Senior (65+) - $25                              Senior (65+) - $8                               
Youth (13 to 17) - $15                         Youth (13 to 17) - $5

Advance ticket sales available HERE:
     
http://www.hockeycalgary.ca/page/index/id/251/

Feature Article
Under-16 Challenge Cup Valuable Experience for Calgarian Mathew Dumba – CLICK HERE

Background
The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup will feature the highest rated players in the Under 16 age category representing the four Western Provinces of Alberta, BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The four team round robin tournament format, which will open Thursday, November 1 and conclude on Sunday, November 4, 2012, is the first step in the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence and assists the four Western Provincial Hockey Associations in evaluating these top prospects in this age group for future high performance programs.  The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup is made possible through financial support provided by the WHL.  The majority of the players participating in the event were selected in the WHL Bantam Draft in June 2012 and many of these top young prospects will play major roles on WHL Clubs in the seasons ahead.

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; Matt Dumba (Red Deer Rebels), Derek Pouliot (Portland Winterhawks), Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings) and Morgan Reilly (Moose Jaw Warriors).  Last year the WHL, along with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatchewan Hockey Association, hosted the 2011 event at Mosaic Place in downtown Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.  The event featured many future stars who are now entering their rookie season in the WHL including 2011 WHL Bantam Draft first round picks; Jake Virtanen (1st overall, Calgary Hitmen), Brycen Martin (2nd overall, Swift Current Broncos), Ryan Pilon (3rd overall, Lethbridge Hurricanes), Jordan Thomson (4th overall, Kamloops Blazers) and Reid Duke (5th overall, Lethbridge Hurricanes).  


(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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