The long wait is almost over for the Sydney Rush. And it’s been long in more ways than one.

Almost five years after the 2021 TELUS Cup was first awarded to the Rush, the puck will finally drop on Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship at the Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre, thanks to the cancellation of the 2021 tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sydney did participate as the “host” team in 2022, but that tournament was played in Okotoks, Alberta, more than 5,000 kilometres from Cape Breton.

So the wait to welcome the nation has been a significant one.

But when the tournament gets underway on April 22, it will also have been a long wait for the Rush to resume their season; Sydney was unceremoniously dumped from the postseason on March 3, swept by the Valley Wildcats in the first round of the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League (NSU18MHL) playoffs.

That’s a 51-day break between games, which can be a good or bad thing.

The Rush played to a 12-20-6 record in the NSU18MHL during the regular season, good for sixth in the eight-team loop. They potted 118 goals in 38 games, the fifth most, but allowed a league-high 183, plus 17 in three playoff games.

Two players remain on the Sydney roster from the 2022 TELUS Cup team – leading scorer Tyler Seymour (17-24—41 in 38 GP) and captain Keegan O’Neill.

The Rush are looking to end a very long drought for host teams; not since the Calgary Northstars in 1991 has the hometown side been the last team standing, and only six in the 30 tournaments since then (most recently the Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe last year) have reached the gold medal game.

HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU

Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League
Quarterfinal: lost to Valley Wildcats 3-0 (2-6, 4-6, 3-5)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 12-20-6 (6th in NSU18MHL)
Goals for: 118 (5th in NSU18MHL)
Goals against: 106 (8th in NSU18MHL)
Longest winning streak: 4 (Jan. 28-Feb. 17)
Top 3 scorers:
- Tyler Seymour – 17G 24A 41P (8th in NSU18MHL)
- Keegan O’Neill – 12G 20A 32P (15th in NSU18MHL)
- Malcolm MacDonald – 14G 17A 31P (17th in NSU18MHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 0-3
Goals for: 9
Goals against: 17
Top 3 scorers:
- Brody Ford – 2G 2A 4P
- Rory Pilling – 2G 2A 4P
- Braylan Fitzgerald – 1G 2A 3P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2022 – Sydney Rush | 5th place | 1-4-0 | 13GF 34GA
1999 – Cape Breton Jeans Experts | 5th place | 1-4-0 | 10GF 29GA
1982 – Cape Breton Colonels | bronze medal | 3-4-1 | 26GF 37GA
1978 – Sydney Steelers | 12th place | 1-4-0 | 15GF 32GA
1975 – Sydney Legionnaires | 10th place | 1-5-0 | 12GF 28GA

QMJHL DRAFTED PLAYERS

Rory Pilling – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (2nd round, 34th overall)
Jonathan Coombs – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (13th round, 228th overall)

Fifty-two teams call the Central Region home, but only six remain in the hunt for the region’s berth at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia – the Markham Waxers, Ottawa Jr. 67’s, Timmins Majors, Vaughan Kings, Waterloo Wolves and host Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

All six are relatively fresh faces, with the Greyhounds the most recent regional competitors, in 2022. They own nine TELUS Cup appearances between them – six of those belong to Sault Ste. Marie – but none have played on the national stage since Ottawa won silver in 2013.

The field has a bit of a ‘Cinderella’ feel to it – only the Jr. 67’s were the best regular-season team in their league – although all six teams have earned their spots; the five league champions finished a combined 40-13-8 in the playoffs, and even the host Greyhounds pushed Timmins to overtime in the GNU18L semifinals.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)

2023 – Toronto Jr. Canadiens (4th place)
2022 – Mississauga Reps (4th place)
2019 – Toronto Young Nationals (gold medal)
2018 – Toronto Young Nationals (4th place)
2017 – Mississauga Rebels (bronze medal)

MARKHAM WAXERS
OMHA CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 24-8-2-1 (5th in OMHA)
Goals for: 157
Goals against: 87
Leading scorer: Matthew Johnson (25G 21A 46P)

Playoff record: 11-2-2
Goals for: 68
Goals against: 37
Leading scorer: Tate Collins (9G 9A 18P)

ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL
OMHA Playoffs
Round robin: 2nd in East Group A – lost to Ajax-Pickering Raiders 4-0, tied North Central Predators 2-2, defeated Kingston Jr. Gaels 1-0, defeated Oshawa Generals 7-3, defeated North Central Predators 5-2, defeated Clarington Toros 8-3, defeated Clarington Toros 6-0, defeated Kingston Jr. Gaels 5-1, tied Ajax-Pickering Raiders 5-5, defeated Oshawa Generals 3-2

OMHA Championship
Preliminary round: 2nd in Group 2 – defeated Central Ontario Wolves 9-2, defeated Oakville Rangers 5-1, lost to Burlington Eagles 7-3
Semifinal: defeated Guelph Gryphons 5-3
Final: defeated Burlington Eagles 4-2

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

OTTAWA JR. 67’S
HEO CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 24-4-2 (1st in HEO)
Goals for: 141
Goals against: 70
Leading scorer: Dylan Turcotte (28G 21A 49P)

Playoff record: 7-2-1
Goals for: 37
Goals against: 21
Leading scorer: Dylan Turcotte (7G 8A 15P)

ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL
Semifinal: defeated OHA Mavericks 3-1-1 (-3, 3-2, 3-2, 0-2, 1-1)
Final: defeated Upper Canada Cyclones 4-1 (5-3, 2-4, 4-2, 8-1, 5-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2013 (silver medal)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2013)

SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS
HOST

Regular season record: 20-13-3 (3rd in GNU18L)
Goals for: 136
Goals against: 106
Leading scorer: Sebastian Dos Reis (19G 26A 45P)

Playoff record: 2-2-1
Goals for: 14
Goals against: 15
Leading scorer: Camden Cowan (3G 4A 7P)

ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL
Preliminary round: 2nd place – lost to Sudbury U18 Wolves 4-1, defeated Timmins Majors 3-2, tied New Liskeard Cubs 3-3, defeated Sudbury U16 Wolves 3-1
Semifinal: lost to Timmins Majors 5-4 OT

Last national championship appearance: 2013 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 6 (1980, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2013)

TIMMINS MAJORS
GNU18L CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 23-9-3 (2nd in GNU18L)
Goals for: 144
Goals against: 121
Leading scorer: Ian Lachance (26G 48A 74P)

Playoff record: 4-1-1
Goals for: 15
Goals against: 11
Leading scorer: Edan Etheridge (4G 6A 10P)

ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL
Preliminary round: 3rd place – defeated New Liskeard Cubs 3-1, lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 3-2, defeated Sudbury U18 Wolves 2-1, tied Sudbury U16 Wolves 1-1
Semifinal: defeated Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds 5-4 OT
Final: defeated Sudbury U18 Wolves 2-1

Last national championship appearance: 2002 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2002)

VAUGHAN KINGS
GTHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 22-7-7 (2nd in GTHL)
Goals for: 104
Goals against: 57
Leading scorer: unavailable

Playoff record: 9-5
Goals for: 42
Goals against: 32
Leading scorer: unavailable

ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated North York Rangers 3-1 (2-3, 3-1, 5-2, 4-1)
Semifinal: defeated Toronto Young Nationals 3-2 (2-5, 3-2, 3-2, 3-4, 4-1)
Final: defeated Mississauga Senators 3-2 (2-4, 2-3, 2-0, 3-2, 4-2)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

WATERLOO WOLVES
ALLIANCE CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 24-10-1 (3rd in Alliance)
Goals for: 153
Goals against: 80
Leading scorer: unavailable

Playoff record: 7-1-3
Goals for: 35
Goals against: 19
Leading scorer: unavailable

ROAD TO THE CENTRAL REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Huron-Perth Lakers 2-1-1 (5-3, 3-3, 0-1, 3-1)
Semifinal: defeated Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 3-0 (3-0, 4-2, 4-1)
Final: defeated Lambton Jr. Sting 2-0-2 (2-2, 4-3, 5-1, 2-2)

Last national championship appearance: 2003 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2003)

There are two teams left in the westernmost region of U18 hockey – either the Calgary Buffaloes or Vancouver NE Chiefs will represent the Pacific at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

Both teams have made very recent trips to the Men’s U18 National Club Championship – the Chiefs were the Pacific representatives two years ago, finishing in sixth place, while the Buffaloes reached the bronze medal game in 2019.

Calgary and Vancouver NE skate into the best-of-three regional series with plenty of momentum, coming off series sweeps in their respective league finals and outscoring their opponents by a combined total of 21-7.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)

2023 – Calgary Flames (6th place)
2022 – Vancouver NE Chiefs (6th place)
2019 – Calgary Buffaloes (4th place)
2018 – Lethbridge Hurricanes (bronze medal)
2017 – Leduc Oil Kings (5th place)

CALGARY BUFFALOES
AEHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 27-9-0-2 (1st in AEHL)
Goals for: 199
Goals against: 106
Leading scorer: Caleb Matthews (18G 50A 68P)

Playoff record: 8-2
Goals for: 42
Goals against: 23
Leading scorer: Caleb Matthews (11G 12A 23P)

ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Red Deer Chiefs 2-1 (3-5, 5-1, 6-2)
Semifinal: defeated Calgary Flames 3-1 (6-1, 2-5, 3-1, 5-2)
Final: defeated Sherwood Park Kings 3-0 (4-3 2OT, 2-1 3OT, 6-2)

Last national championship appearance: 2019 (4th place)
Total national championship appearances: 8 (1985, 1987, 1989, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2019)

VANCOUVER NE CHIEFS
BCEHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 28-4-2-2 (2nd in BCEHL)
Goals for: 197
Goals against: 86
Leading scorer: Lucas McDonald (32G 26A 58P)

Playoff record: 6-1
Goals for: 33
Goals against: 17
Leading scorer: Jack Schierau (5G 7A 12P)

ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Greater Vancouver Canadians 2-0 (6-2, 7-2)
Semifinal: defeated Cariboo Cougars 2-1 (6-5 OT, 1-4, 4-3 OT)
Final: defeated Okanagan Rockets 2-0 (5-0, 4-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2022 (6th place)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2022)

There are two teams left in La Belle Province – either the Cantonniers de Magog or Estacades de Trois-Rivières will represent Quebec at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

While a team from Trois-Rivieres hasn’t competed for Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship in 48 years, the Cantonniers are no stranger to the big stage; they’re in search of their fourth trip to nationals in the last five tournaments, having lost in the gold medal game in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

Whoever earns the spot in Membertou will be looking to make it back-to-back national titles for the region; one year ago, the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (who Magog eliminated in the LHM18AAAQ semifinals) ended a 22-year gold medal drought by beating the host Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe in an all-Quebec final.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)

2023 – Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (gold medal)
2022 – Cantonniers de Magog (silver medal)
2019 – Cantonniers de Magog (silver medal)
2018 – Cantonniers de Magog (silver medal)
2017 – Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François (silver medal)

CANTONNIERS DE MAGOG

Regular season record: 27-9-6 (2nd in LHM18AAAQ)
Goals for: 163
Goals against: 111
Leading scorer: Gabriel Courchesne (24G 35A 59P)

Playoff record: 8-1
Goals for: 37
Goals against: 19
Leading scorer: Marc-Olivier Proteau (5G 7A 12P)

ROAD TO THE QUEBEC REGIONAL
Tacks semifinal: defeated Grenadiers de Chateauguay 2-0 (7-2, 10-4)
Tacks final: defeated Lions du Lac St-Louis 3-1 (2-6, 4-1, 4-1, 2-1)
Semifinal: defeated Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François 3-0 (4-2, 2-1 OT, 2-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2022 (silver medal)
Total national championship appearances: 5 (1995, 2000, 2018, 2019, 2022)

ESTACADES DE TROIS-RIVIÈRES

Regular season record: 25-15-2 (6th in LHM18AAAQ)
Goals for: 158
Goals against: 131
Leading scorer: Jérémy Loranger (30G 34A 64P)

Playoff record: 8-2
Goals for: 35
Goals against: 19
Leading scorer: Chad Lygitsakos (5G 10A 15P)

ROAD TO THE QUEBEC REGIONAL
Thaïzone semifinal: defeated Chevaliers de Lévis 2-0 (4-2, 5-1)
Thaïzone final: defeated Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François 3-1 (4-5, 3-1, 3-1, 1-0)
Semifinal: defeated Vikings de Saint-Eustache 3-1 (2-3 OT, 4-1, 6-3, 3-2 OT)

Last national championship appearance: 1976 (9th place)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (1976)

There are plenty of familiar faces at the West Regional. The host Winnipeg Wild and Thunder Bay Kings are back for a third year in a row, joined by the defending champion Saskatoon Blazers, who are looking to earn a return trip to the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

The Brandon Wheat Kings round out the quartet, and what a season it’s been for the Manitoba champions; including the playoffs, the Wheat Kings have 52 wins and a single overtime loss, and they’re unbeaten since Nov. 10.

The three league champions are all coming in riding major playoff success – Brandon, Saskatoon and Thunder Bay claimed their titles without losing a game in regulation, going 20-0-1 in the postseason.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)

2023 – Saskatoon Blazers (bronze medal)
2022 – Notre Dame Hounds (5th place)
2019 – Tisdale Trojans (bronze medal)
2018 – Notre Dame Hounds (gold medal)
2017 – Regina Pat Canadians (4th place)

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS
MBU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 43-0-1 (1st in MBU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 270
Goals against: 82
Leading scorer: Jaxon Jacobson (37G 69A 106P)

Playoff record: 9-0
Goals for: 53
Goals against: 14
Leading scorer: Jaxon Jacobson (12G 11A 23P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Eastman Selects 3-0 (10-2, 7-0, 9-2)
Semifinal: defeated Pembina Valley Hawks 3-0 (6-1, 4-1, 4-2)
Final: defeated Winnipeg Wild 3-0 (5-2, 4-1, 4-3 OT)

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

SASKATOON BLAZERS
SMAAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 34-7-3 (1st in SMAAAHL)
Goals for: 194
Goals against: 116
Leading scorer: Dayne Beuker (41G 43A 84P)

Playoff record: 9-1
Goals for: 40
Goals against: 20
Leading scorer: Raiden Zacharias (6G 8A 14P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Estevan Bears 3-1 (4-1, 4-0, 2-3 OT, 5-4)
Semifinal: defeated Tisdale Trojans 3-0 (3-2, 3-0, 6-3)
Final: defeated Regina Pat Canadians 3-0 (4-1, 4-3 OT, 5-3)

Last national championship appearance: 2023 (bronze medal)
Total national championship appearances: 2 (1974, 2023)

THUNDER BAY KINGS
HNO CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 5-25-6 (12th in GTHL)
Goals for: 95
Goals against: 154
Leading scorer: unavailable

Playoff record: 2-0
Goals for: 14
Goals against: 5
Leading scorer: unavailable

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
HNO championship: defeated Kenora Thistles 2-0 (11-3, 3-2 OT)

Last national championship appearance: 2019 (6th place)
Total national championship appearances: 9 (1975, 1976, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2019)

WINNIPEG WILD
HOST

Regular season record: 27-13-4 (3rd in MBU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 184
Goals against: 120
Leading scorer: Carter Kingerski (22G 30A 52P)

Playoff record: 6-6
Goals for: 36
Goals against: 34
Leading scorer: Carter Kingerski (5G 10A 15P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Interlake Lightning 3-2 (2-4, 2-1, 1-4, 8-1, 2-1)
Semifinal: defeated Winnipeg Thrashers 3-1 (3-6, 5-1, 2-1 OT, 5-2)
Final: lost to Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0 (2-5, 1-4, 3-4 OT)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

It’ll be a short trip for whoever comes out on top at the Atlantic Regional, with five teams competing to represent the region at the 2024 TELUS Cup in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

The Dartmouth Majors are set to play host, welcoming the Halifax Macs, Kensington Wild, Moncton Flyers and Pinnacle Growlers to the East Hants Sportsplex in Lantz. The five teams rolled through their respective playoffs, posting a combined 37-12 record – and five of those losses were inflicted by the Majors and Macs on each other during the NSU18MHL final.

There is experience in the group – the Majors, Macs and Flyers have combined for 25 national championship appearances, while the Wild are looking for their first trip to nationals since 1976, and the Growlers for their first trip ever.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)

2023 – Pictou County Majors (5th place)
2022 – Moncton Flyers (gold medal)
2019 – Halifax Macs (5th place)
2018 – Moncton Flyers (5th place)
2017 – Cape Breton West Islanders (gold medal)

DARTMOUTH MAJORS
HOST

Regular season record: 30-8-0 (2nd in NSU18MHL)
Goals for: 160
Goals against: 77
Leading scorer: Aiden O’Donnell (24G 22A 46P)

Playoff record: 8-4
Goals for: 36
Goals against: 28
Leading scorer: Brennan O’Donnell (3G 8A 11P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated South Shore Mustangs 3-0 (3-0, 5-2, 2-0)
Semifinal: defeated Valley Wildcats 3-1 (4-1, 2-1, 2-4, 4-3 OT)
Final: lost to Halifax Macs 3-2 (1-3, 5-4, 2-4, 5-4 OT, 1-2)

Last national championship appearance: 2016 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 10 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2015, 2016)

HALIFAX MACS
NSU18MHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 34-4-0 (1st in NSU18MHL)
Goals for: 167
Goals against: 83
Leading scorer: Luc Legere (24G 32A 56P)

Playoff record: 9-4
Goals for: 42
Goals against: 29
Leading scorer: Maddex Marmulak (8G 8A 16P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Pictou County Majors 3-0 (2-1 OT, 3-2, 4-0)
Semifinal: defeated Cape Breton West Islanders 3-2 (1-2, 1-4, 4-0, 3-1, 7-5)
Final: defeated Dartmouth Majors 3-2 (3-1, 4-5, 4-2, 4-5 OT, 2-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2019 (5th place)
Total national championship appearances: 6 (1980, 1983, 1994, 2011, 2014, 2019)

KENSINGTON WILD
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 21-10-4 (2nd in NBPEIMU18HL)
Goals for: 180
Goals against: 120
Leading scorer: Ethan Dickson (31G 44A 75P)

Playoff record: 4-0
Goals for: 63
Goals against: 37
Leading scorer: Ethan Dickson (3G 5A 8P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
P.E.I. final: defeated Charlottetown Knights 4-0 (5-1, 5-4, 6-1, 6-2)

Last national championship appearance: 1976 (13th place)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (1976)

MONCTON FLYERS
NEW BRUNSWICK CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 26-6-3 (1st in NBPEIMU18HL)
Goals for: 177
Goals against: 98
Leading scorer: Austin Sanchez (18G 37A 55P)

Playoff record: 8-0
Goals for: 48
Goals against: 17
Leading scorer: Austin Sanchez (6G 7A 13P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL
N.B. semifinal: defeated Saint John Vitos 4-0 (11-1, 7-2, 5-2, 3-1)
N.B. final: defeated Northern Moose 4-0 (6-5, 6-1, 5-1, 5-4 OT)

Last national championship appearance: 2022 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 9 (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1986, 2009, 2012, 2018, 2022)

PINNACLE GROWLERS
NLU18MHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 26-6-0 (1st in NLU18MHL )
Goals for: 165
Goals against: 80
Leading scorer: Nolan Avery (21G 28A 49P)

Playoff record: 8-4
Goals for: 42
Goals against: 28
Leading scorer: Andy Knight (5G 7A 12P)

ROAD TO THE ATLANTIC REGIONAL

Semifinal: defeated Central Impact 4-1 (3-2, 3-2 OT, 4-1, 2-3, 5-1)
Final: defeated East Coast Blizzard 4-3 (2-5, 0-4, 6-2, 5-3, 6-1, 1-4, 5-0)

Last national championship appearance: none
Total national championship appearances: none

For the first time in its 49-year history, the TELUS Cup is coming to Cape Breton Island.

Adding to the excitement, this year’s edition of Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship will be the first Hockey Canada event to be hosted in partnership with an Indigenous community – the Membertou First Nation. The event will be organized by the Mi’kmaq community located on Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), with the local culture on full display on and off the ice.

Membertou was first awarded the 2021 TELUS Cup in July 2019, but that tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, the national championship was played in Okotoks, Alberta, with the Sydney Rush serving as the host team despite playing more than 5,000 kilometres from home.

Two years later, the Rush are ready to welcome the best U18 teams from across the country , and the Membertou community is ready for the opportunity to showcase all it has to offer for visiting teams, fans and family alike.

“The support from the whole island heading into the tournament has been awesome,” says Rush forward and Sydney native Tyler Seymour. “Having the community and culture always around hockey, there’s an excitement of having an event hosted by the Indigenous community in Membertou for the first time.

“We have a few players on the team who are Indigenous, and the community hold an annual tournament called the Wallace Bernard Memorial Native Youth Hockey Tournament every year, so the community is always around us, being kind, supportive and always cheering us on.”

Including their 2022 appearance, the 2024 TELUS Cup marks the seventh time a team from Cape Breton participates in the national championship, following the 1975 Sydney Legionnaires, 1978 Sydney Steelers, 1982 Cape Breton Colonels (bronze medal), 1999 Cape Breton Jeans Experts and, of course, the 2017 Cape Breton West Islanders, who made history as the first team from Atlantic Canada to win a national title.

Seymour is among those with TELUS Cup experience, one of just two players who were on the ice in Okotoks in 2022. The 2006-born forward is in his third season with his hometown Rush and has played a pivotal role in the offence, leading the team with 32 points (13-19—32) through 33 games, good for a tie for ninth in the Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League (NSU18MHL).

With seven games in the season to go, the Rush will continue to follow the leadership of captain Keegan O’Neill, who joins Seymour as the only other returnee from 2022. Not only leading with the captain’s ‘C’ on his chest, the 17-year-old has tallied 11 goals, seven of which have come on the power play, tied for the NSU18MHL lead in that category.

The Rush are into final stretch of the regular season, currently sitting at the bottom of the standings with an 8-20-5 record, but Seymour wants to make sure the team closes the campaign with an understanding of what it takes to play at the TELUS Cup.

“It’s the best teams in Canada,” Seymour says. “We got off to a rough start, but we’re progressing really well as a younger team and leading up to TELUS, we have to continue playing our best and not let up. Overall, we’ll enjoy the moment and take in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

In 2022, the Rush missed out on the semifinals, with a lone 3-2 win over the Vancouver NE Chiefs. This year, they will kick off their tournament when they welcome the Pacific Region champions to the Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre on April 22.

Full-tournament ticket packages are now on sale, with single-game ticket sales to be announced closer to the tournament. Get yours while supplies last.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules for the 2024 editions of the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, and announced that ticket packages for each tournament are on sale now.

“Hosting our spring events simply would not be possible without the dedicated and passionate volunteers and staff in Membertou, Oakville and Vernon, who have all invested a tremendous amount of time and resources into planning these tournaments,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “With the puck set to drop in each community in a few months, we are thrilled to launch ticket packages for all three events and reveal the tournament schedules.

“We are grateful to BC Hockey, Hockey Nova Scotia, the Ontario Hockey Federation and the three respective host communities for their efforts and support to deliver these events, and look forward to continuing to work with them into the spring.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup or Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, can still sign up for one of the available positions to support the delivery of three of Hockey Canada’s marquee national championships.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with a full broadcast and streaming schedule to be announced at a later date.

2024 Esso Cup – Vernon, BC

This year, the Esso Cup will return to British Columbia for the first time since 2013, with the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers set to host Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship, April 21-27 at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.

Joined by five regional champions from across Canada, the Lakers will play their first game on April 21 at 7 p.m. PT against the Atlantic winners, following matchups between the West and Ontario champions and Quebec and Pacific titlists earlier in the day.

The Lakers will also face the Pacific on April 22 at 7 p.m. PT, Ontario on April 23 at 3:30 p.m. PT, the West on April 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT and Quebec on April 25 at 7 p.m. PT.

After each team plays five preliminary-round games, the top four clubs will advance to the semifinals on April 26, with the medal games scheduled for April 27.

Tickets for the 2024 Esso Cup can be purchased here.

2024 TELUS Cup – Membertou, NS

The host Sydney Rush will welcome five regional champions to Membertou, Nova Scotia, for the 2024 TELUS Cup, which will take place April 22-28 at Membertou Sport & Wellness Centre.

Sydney opens its schedule against the Pacific champions on April 22 at 7 p.m. AT to finish a three-game opening day that also sees the Central winners face the Atlantic champs and Quebec titlists play the West champions. 

The Rush will also play the West on April 23, Quebec on April 24, the Central on April 25 and the Atlantic on April 26. All games are at 7 p.m. AT.

The tournament semifinals are scheduled for April 27, before the medal games on April 28.

Tickets for the 2024 TELUS Cup are available now.

2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons – Oakville, ON

In partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and the Town of Oakville, Canada’s top Junior A teams will compete for the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, May 9-19 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. The host Oakville Blades will be joined by nine champions from across the CJHL.

Teams will be separated into two groups and each play four preliminary-round games, with the quarterfinals scheduled for May 17, semifinals on May 18 and championship game on May 19.

Group A will include the champions from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League, Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and OJHL.

The host Blades and champions from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League will form Group B.

Oakville’s first preliminary-round game will be against the Maritime Hockey League champions on May 10, before playing the Superior International Junior Hockey League winners on May 11, Manitoba Junior Hockey League titlists on May 13 and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League victors on May 15.

All preliminary-round games featuring the Blades will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, AB – Hockey Canada has confirmed the dates and host communities for seven events taking place during the 2023-24 season, including the return of the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

“Today is an exciting day for Hockey Canada as we announce seven events that play a critical role in the development of men’s, women’s and para hockey athletes, coaches and staff,” said Pat McLaughlin, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “We hope that hosting these tournaments will help introduce new fans to the game, create lifelong memories for Canadians and have a positive impact in each community long after the medals have been handed out.”

The 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be played Nov. 2-11 in Charlottetown and Summerside, PE, marking the first time in the tournament’s 37-year history that it will be hosted in the province.

Featuring some of the best young women’s hockey players in Canada, the 2023 National Women’s Under-18 Championship will run Nov. 5-11 in Dawson Creek, BC, bringing the event back to the Peace Region for the first time since 2012.

Canada’s National Para Hockey Team will compete for gold with three other countries at the 2023 Para Hockey Cup, which will be held Dec. 3-9 in Quispamsis, NB, marking the fourth Hockey Canada event that Quispamsis has hosted.

Top Canadian and international players will be showcased at the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge from Dec. 10-17 in Truro, NS, as the tournament returns to Atlantic Canada for the fourth time and to Truro for the second time.

In the spring, Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship will be decided at the Esso Cup in Vernon, BC from April 21-27, while the Men’s U18 National Club Championship will be played April 22-28 in Membertou, NS.

The best Junior A teams in Canada will take to the ice at the 2024 Centennial Cup in Oakville, ON, with the Oakville Blades hosting the national championship from May 9-19.

“We are thrilled to share the list of communities that will host Hockey Canada events during the 2023-24 season,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of strategic partnerships and community impact. “The support we have received from host committees has been outstanding and we are confident that participants, volunteers, partners and fans will have fantastic experiences at each tournament.”

Ticket information for all seven events can be found here. Tournament schedules will be announced at a later date. 

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SAINT-HYACINTHE, Que. – The Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François have won the 2023 Men’s U18 National Club Championship, defeating the Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe 3-2 in the gold medal game Sunday night at Stade L.-P.-Gaucher.

Marc-Olivier Roy (Boischâtel, Que.) scored two goals in a span of 1:46 midway through the third period to give the Blizzard the lead for good and give the Quebec representatives their first national title since 2001 (when they were known as the Gouverneurs de Ste-Foy) and their fifth overall, tying them with Notre Dame Hounds for the most ever.

It marked the first time since 2000 (Magog vs. Montréal-Bourassa) that two teams from the province faced off in the gold medal game, and the first time since that Ste-Foy triumph that a team from Quebec has won the national title.

The game stayed scoreless through the first 40 minutes thanks to the play of goaltendersRaphaël Précourt (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Que.) and Rémi Cloutier (Mont-Laurier, Que.), who combined for 51 saves in the first two periods.

The floodgates opened in the third with five goals in just over nine minutes. Noah McKinnon (Val-Bélair, Que.) started the scoring for Saint-François just 30 seconds into the final frame, before tournament MVP Émile Guité tied it for the Gaulois at 6:46. Roy restored the Blizzard lead at 8:01, and put them up for good at 9:47, just 26 seconds after Dominic Pilote (Saint-Basil-le-Grande, Que.) had equalized again for the hosts.

“It was a close game, as expected. We kept things simple and worked hard all game, which made the difference” Roy said. “We are very proud of this win. We had played the Gaulois previously, and knew we could come in here in Saint-Hyacinthe and win the whole thing. It was an unforgettable moment for our group, for sure.”

Both goaltenders were outstanding – Précourt finished with 42 saves, while Cloutier made 29 stops.

“We had so many guys step up in the big moments. I am so proud of this group,” said Blizzard head coach Mathieu Turcotte. “We had an amazing season where we grew as a team despite facing a lot of uphill battles. And now, our players are champions for life. This is a tough tournament to play in, both physically and mentally. It is hard on players as well as on coaches, but for many of our guys, this was the best experience of their lives, an incredible event for everyone.

“Being able to win in our home province is truly special. The players were aware our team had been the last to win the whole thing [in 2001]. Our group has a lot of character, and it showed today. We have a first-class organization here, and there’s reason to be proud.”

Saskatoon downs Toronto in shootout to win bronze

Earlier in the day, the Saskatoon Blazers edged the Toronto Jr. Canadiens 2-1 in a shootout to win the bronze medal.

Top Forward recipient Cole Reschny (Macklin, Sask.) and Nathan Gaymes (Toronto, Ont.) traded goals in regulation time before Lee Shurgot (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Tyson Buczkowski (Saskatoon, Sask.) converted for the Blazers in the shootout. Saskatoon netminder Grayson Malinoski (Saskatoon, Sask.) stopped all four shooters he faced after making 32 saves in regulation and overtime.

“It feels fantastic,” said Blazers head coach Troy Walkington. “We came here and we wanted to win gold. We were disappointed after our [semifinal loss to the Gaulois] last night, and this must be the toughest game of the tournament to play, after playing the last game last night, and not quite reaching your expectations, so it is nice to come away with bronze.

“We won a medal; we weathered the storm early, but we certainly got back to the way we wanted to play, so it feels good. We ended our season on a high note. This is the last possible day to play, what more can we ask for, you come to the national championship, you win a medal, you play in the last possible day of the season, so almost perfect.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media onFacebook,Twitter and Instagram.

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