Saint John, NB – Each hockey season, 1,600 bantam hockey players throughout Atlantic Canada compete for the opportunity to participate in the Irving Challenge Cup. Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia recently announced that Truro, NS will host the 17th Annual Irving Oil Challenge Cup, Atlantic Canada’s Bantam Hockey Championship. The Truro Irving Bearcats have set their sights on becoming the first team from their association to hoist the Irving Oil Challenge Cup when they host the best Bantam teams from Atlantic Canada April 3rd to 6th.

As hosts for the event, the Bearcats have guaranteed themselves a spot in the tournament. They will compete against the best 13-14 year old provincial bantam champions from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. This year marks the first time that Truro will host the Irving Oil Challenge Cup. The event will run from Thursday, April 3rd through Sunday, April 6th, 2007 at Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro. The Bearcats will be looking to add another medal to their collection as they build upon their bronze medal finish at the 2007 event.

Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador’s entry in last year’s Irving Oil Challenge Cup, the St John’s Irving Oil Hitmen, captured the cup by defeating the West Kent Irving Oil Aces in the championship game. The event last year was one of the most competitive and hard fought tournaments in Irving Oil Challenge Cup history and organizers are looking forward to more of the same this year.

"We are pleased and honoured to host such a prestigious event," said Catherine MacNevin, Chair of the Irving Oil Challenge Cup. MacNevin leads a dedicated volunteer Host Committee that will oversee the event. "With the support that we have received from Irving, and the community support provided by the residents of Truro and the entire area, we are set to host a first class event," added MacNevin.

Truro has been a hockey hotbed for many years and has successfully hosted several prestigious events in the past, and they are looking forward to showing off the first class facility they have. Hockey Nova Scotia as a whole has shown continuous support for major events and this year’s Irving Challenge Cup is expected to attract the same following.

Irving dealers have sponsored bantam hockey throughout Atlantic Canada since 1992. The company sponsors over 50 bantam teams during the hockey season, their respective provincial leagues and championships, as well as the Atlantic Championship.

Additional event information will be provided over the coming months via the Irving Challenge Cup website and media conference.