There are storylines aplenty as the best in the west gather in Tisdale, Sask., including Notre Dame, the defending national champion, and Thunder Bay, the host for this year’s edition of the TELUS Cup.

All four teams in the field have previously stood atop the podium at Canada’s National Midget Championship – Notre Dame is the only five-time titlist (1980, 1986, 2009, 2010, 2018), Thunder Bay won it all in 1995 and 1997, Tisdale was tops in 2002, and Brandon claimed the first Manitoban gold in 2004.

West remains the most successful region since the start of the six-team format in 1984, winning 17 gold medals – more than double any other region. The Hounds’ title one year ago made it five in the last decade and nine of 17 since 2002.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)
2018 – Notre Dame Hounds (gold medal)
2017 – Regina Pat Canadians (fourth place)
2016 – Saskatoon Contacts (sixth place)
2015 – Regina Pat Canadians (bronze medal)
2014 – Prince Albert Mintos (gold medal)

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS
MMAAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 35-11-2 (3rd in MMAAAHL)
Goals for: 218
Goals against: 117
Leading scorer: Nolan Ritchie (39G 55A 94P)

Playoff record: 9-2
Goals for: 47
Goals against: 33
Leading scorer: Nolan Ritchie (9G 12A 21P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarter-final: defeated Eastman 3-1 (6-3, 2-4, 6-2, 4-3 OT)
Semifinal: defeated Yellowhead 3-0 (7-6 OT, 4-3, 3-1)
MMAAAHL championship: defeated Winnipeg Wild 3-1 (3-6, 3-2, 5-2, 4-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2004 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 3 (1980, 1994, 2004)

NOTRE DAME HOUNDS
SMAAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 28-12-4 (4th in SMAAAHL)
Goals for: 193
Goals against: 123
Leading scorer: Cam Recchi (21G 27A 48P)

Playoff record: 9-3
Goals for: 34
Goals against: 27
Leading scorer: Coalson Wolford (6G 7A 13P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarter-final: defeated Swift Current 3-0 (3-2, 5-4 2OT, 4-2)
Semifinal: defeated Regina 3-2 (0-2, 3-2 OT, 4-0, 0-5, 5-2)
SMAAAHL championship: defeated Saskatoon Blazers 3-1 (0-3, 3-2 2OT, 3-2, 4-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2018 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 11 (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 2009, 2010, 2018)

THUNDER BAY KINGS
HNO CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 13-6-1 (NAPHL)
Goals for: 69
Goals against: 34
Leading scorer: Nikolas Campbell (13G 13A 26P)

Playoff record: 3-0
Goals for: 12
Goals against: 6
Leading scorer: unavailable

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
HNO championship: defeated Kenora 3-0 (5-4 OT, 4-1, 3-1)

Last national championship appearance: 1997 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 8 (1975, 1976, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997)

TISDALE TROJANS
HOST

Regular season record: 32-7-5 (2nd in SMAAAHL)
Goals for: 160
Goals against: 91
Leading scorer: Cade Hayes (23G 35A 58P)

Playoff record: 4-3
Goals for: 24
Goals against: 22
Leading scorer: Jayden Wiens (4G 5A 9P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarter-final: defeated Beardy’s 3-0 (4-3, 4-0, 5-4)
Semifinal: lost to Saskatoon Blazers 3-1 (2-3, 5-4, 3-2 OT, 5-2)

Last national championship appearance: 2002 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2002)