Hockey Canada Championship Weekend, Spring 2011 Edition is upon us and Hockey Canada’s Broadcast Partner, TSN is the place to watch all of the action.  Over the course of 48 hours 5 Championship teams will be crowned cementing their stature as the best in the World.

A full broadcast chart with times in your area can be found below, but please check your local listing for any potential time changes or contact your local cable provider to ensure you have access to TSN in your home.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, announced Wednesday that a special offer for tickets to this summer’s National Junior Team development camp, the 2010 4 Nations Cup, featuring the top women’s hockey teams in the world, and the 2011 TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, all coming to St. John’s, N.L. during the 2010-11 season, will go on sale this Thursday, July 8, at noon NT.

Available for a limited time only, the package is available for just $99 (plus applicable fees) and includes tickets to two Red-White games at the National Junior Team development camp in August, six games at the 4 Nations Cup in November, including the gold medal game, and all 19 games at the TELUS Cup next April. The package is valued at more than $175 and includes seat selection and an official event program from both the 4 Nations Cup and the TELUS Cup.

This special ticket package will only be available prior to the National Junior Team development camp and can be purchased at the Mile One Centre box office, by calling 709-576-7657 or 1-800-361-4595, or by going to www.admission.com. Tickets are currently only available through this special offer, with announcements for specific events to be made at later dates.

All three events will be based out of the Mile One Centre in St. John’s and will not only help recognize the 75th anniversary of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, one of Hockey Canada’s 13 branches, but will also bring some of the best hockey from across the country and around the world to the provincial capital. The National Junior Team development camp is scheduled for Aug. 4-8, the 2010 4 Nations Cup is from Nov. 9-13 and the 2011 TELUS Cup runs from April 18-24.

Forty-five of the country’s best young players will attend the National Junior Team development camp, including 11 players who were selected in the first round of the recent NHL Entry Draft. Practice sessions during the upcoming camp will be open to the public for free.

Hockey Canada, in conjunction with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador and its Atlantic Regional Centre, will host hockey development programs during the National Junior Team development camp, including a skills camp and a coaching clinic. Details on these development activities, which will support the growth of the sport across the province, will be announced during the week of July 12.

The 4 Nations Cup will bring together the world’s best female players for the first time since the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., where Canada won its third-consecutive gold medal. The roster for the Canadian team that will compete at the 2010 4 Nations Cup will be picked during a selection camp that will take place in Newfoundland just before the event begins.

The St. John’s Fog Devils, who won bronze at the 2010 TELUS Cup in Levis, Que., will serve as the host team for the 2011 tournament. Newfoundland and Labrador has not hosted Canada’s National Midget Championship since 1989.

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in conjunction with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, announced Tuesday that St. John’s, N.L. will host this summer’s National Junior Team development camp, the 2010 4 Nations Cup, featuring the top women’s hockey teams in the world, and the 2011 TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship.

These three national and international events are being held in St. John’s to recognize the 75th anniversary of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, one of 13 Hockey Canada branches. The National Junior Team development camp is scheduled for Aug. 4-8, the 2010 4 Nations Cup is from Nov. 9-13 and the 2011 TELUS Cup runs from April 18-24.

All three events will be based out of the Mile One Centre in the heart of St. John’s. They will not only help Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador celebrate its 75th birthday, but will also provide a unique opportunity for the province to both see and showcase some of the best hockey from across the country and around the world.

Special ticket packages featuring all three events, for admittance to 27 games total, go on sale Thursday, July 8 at noon NT for $99 each (plus applicable fees). The package includes tickets to two National Junior Team development camp Red-White games, six games at the 2010 4 Nations Cup, including the gold medal game, and all 19 games at the 2011 TELUS Cup. They can be purchased at the Mile One Centre box office, by calling (709) 576-7657 or 1-800-361-4595, or by going to www.admission.com.

“We are thrilled to have St. John’s host these three exciting events during the 2010-11 season,” said Scott Smith, chief operating officer of Hockey Canada. “Bringing a range of outstanding hockey to the province’s capital city is a fantastic way for Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador to mark its 75th anniversary.”

“We could not have asked for anything better from Hockey Canada to help celebrate our organization’s 75th anniversary,” said Gerry Evans, president of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador. “Having the top junior age players in the country training here, welcoming the best women’s hockey in the world and hosting the National Midget Championship will undoubtedly raise the profile of hockey in our province.”

As part of the celebration, plans for several province-wide hockey development programs are now underway. Details on these opportunities, which will benefit players, coaches and officials alike, will be announced in the coming weeks. More ticket announcements for these three events will also be made at later dates.  

Newfoundland and Labrador has not hosted the TELUS Cup, Canada’s National Midget Championship, since 1989, when the Calgary Buffaloes won their first national title. The St. John’s Fog Devils, who won bronze at the 2010 TELUS Cup in Levis, Que., will serve as the host team for the 2011 tournament.

The 4 Nations Cup will bring together the world’s best female players for the first time since the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., where Canada won its third-consecutive gold medal. The roster for the Canadian team that will compete at the 2010 4 Nations Cup, the first international tournament leading to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, will be picked during a selection camp that will be held in Newfoundland just before this November’s event starts.

Forty-one skaters and four goaltenders will attend the National Junior Team development camp, including 11 players who were selected in the first round of the recent NHL Entry Draft and the top four picks overall (Taylor Hall, Kingston, Ont./Edmonton Oilers; Tyler Seguin, Brampton, Ont./Boston Bruins; Erik Gudbranson, Orleans, Ont./Florida Panthers and Ryan Johansen, Port Moody, B.C./Columbus Blue Jackets). Practice sessions during the National Junior Team development camp will be open to the public for free.

Hockey Canada’s official broadcaster TSN/RDS will air both the Canada-United States game on Tuesday, Nov. 9 and the gold medal game on Saturday, Nov. 13 during the 2010 4 Nations Cup, as well as the gold medal game from the 2011 TELUS Cup next April. All other games for these two events, as well as the Red-White games Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7 during the NJT development camp, will be available via FASTHockey webcast at hockeycanada.fasthockey.ca.

OKOTOKS, Alta. – The Moncton Flyers has won the TELUS Cup, claiming its first National Men’s U18 Club Championship in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Cantonniers de Magog on Sunday night at Pason Centennial Arena.

Jack Martin (Upper Coverdale, N.B.) was the overtime hero, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament just 40 seconds into 3-on-3 overtime after the Cantonniers erased a two-goal deficit in the final 90 seconds.

“This is the best feeling of my life, and I am so proud of the boys,” said Martin. “If you would have told me that we would have won the championship like this I would not have believed you, but this is an amazing group. We are a family and we will remember this forever.”

Moncton is just the second Atlantic Region team to win the national title, joining the Cape Breton West Islanders, who were victorious at the 2017 TELUS Cup. Appearing in their ninth national championship, the Flyers become the first team from New Brunswick to be crowned the best in Canada, finishing an unbeaten week at 7-0. They’re just the eighth team since 2000 to go through the tournament without a loss, and the first of those eight from outside Saskatchewan.

“This is such a special group,” said Moncton head coach John DeCourcey. “All week long they have battled back and done what they needed to do, and I am really proud of them. Their goal this season was to get to this game, and once we got here, we wanted to win.”

Magog took an early 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Alix Durocher (Drummondville, Que.) and Jules Boilard (Sherbrooke, Que.), and outshot Moncton 18-5 in the opening frame.

Philippe Collette (Saint-Antoine, N.B.) got Moncton on the board early in the second period, before Marco Martin (Moncton, N.B.) tied the game with his second goal of the tournament.

TELUS Cup MVP Luke Patterson (Moncton, N.B.) broke the deadlock with his ninth goal of the tournament, and Zachary Wheeler (Moncton, N.B.) extended Moncton’s lead to two midway through the third period.

With the Magog net empty, Cantonniers captain Eli Baillargeon (Shefford, Que.) scored twice in 16 seconds to even the game and send it to overtime.

Moncton goaltender Samuel LeBlanc (Memramcook, N.B.) stopped 38 shots to record his fourth win of the tournament.

Full game stats are available at HockeyCanada.ca/TELUSCup.

TELUS Cup Tournament Awards:

Most Valuable Player – Luke Patterson (Moncton Flyers)
Top Forward – Jules Boilard (Cantonniers de Magog)
Top Defence – Jack Martin (Moncton Flyers)
Top Goaltender – Joey Rocha (Notre Dame Hounds)
Most Sportsmanlike Player – Lucas Fraser (Sydney Rush)
Esso Kids Scholarship Program: Most Dedicated Athlete Award – Andrew Altwasser (Notre Dame Hounds)

Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., and the Gaulois de Saint-Hyacinthe will play host to the 2023 TELUS Cup, beginning April 24, 2023.  

For more information on the 2022 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Cantonniers de Magog 8, Notre Dame Hounds 2 (Semifinal)

• Game stats available here

Moncton Flyers 6, Mississauga Reps 5 OT (Semifinal)

• Game stats available here

Next game - Sunday, May 22: 

• Championship: Moncton Flyers (1) vs. Cantonniers de Magog (2) (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the championship game on May 22. Canada’s National Men’s U18 Club Championship will feature an all-female broadcast crew, including two-time Olympic gold medallist Cheryl Pounder, Kenzie Lalonde and Brit Dort.

Quotes: 

“Tomorrow will be the biggest game of our season and I have chills thinking about playing in it. If we stick to our gameplan, get the puck to the net and play hard, we should have a good chance to win tomorrow.”

- Alix Durocher (Cantonniers de Magog) on advancing to the championship game

“Our hard work all season has led us to this point, and our goal is to become the Canadian champion tomorrow night. It will be our last game of the year, and we feel ready to come out on top. The players have done such a great job preparing themselves each day, and that is paying off for them right now.

- Cantonniers de Magog head coach Stéphane Robidas on what makes his team successful

“That was the biggest moment of my life. I saw the puck lying in the crease and jumped on it and it felt great to see it go in the net. We can celebrate briefly, but then it is important to turn our attention to the game tomorrow.”

- Zachary Wheeler (Moncton Flyers) on scoring the game-winning goal in overtime

“We showed a lot of character tonight. When we gave up the late goal to tie the game, we said ‘Let’s control what we can control,’ and were fortunate to come out with the win. Our team gets to play on Sunday at the national championship, and that is such a special opportunity to experience together.”

- Moncton Flyers head coach John DeCourcey on his team’s sixth straight victory

For more information on the 2022 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Mississauga Reps 3, Vancouver NE Chiefs 2 (SO)

• Game stats available here

Cantonniers de Magog 5, Notre Dame Hounds 4

• Game stats available here

Moncton Flyers 9, Sydney Rush 4

• Game stats available here

Next games - Saturday, May 21: 

• Semifinal 1: Cantonniers de Magog (2) vs. Notre Dame Hounds (3) (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT)
• Semifinal 2: Moncton Flyers (1) vs. Mississauga Reps (4) (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the championship game on May 22; please check local listings for details. Both semifinals will be livestreamed at HockeyCanada.ca/TELUSCup.

Quotes: 

“Advancing to the semifinals means everything to us. We knew that we would face a lot of great teams in the tournament and we have lost a few tough games, but to play on the weekend is an accomplishment in itself for our players and hopefully we can carry over our strong play from today into our next game.”

- Mississauga Reps head coach Shawn Snider on clinching a semifinal berth

“To be one of the top four teams in Canada is a point of pride for our group, and it’s an honour to represent Quebec on the national stage. Our goal is to win our semifinal game and advance to the gold medal game, but I’m really proud to be part of this team regardless.”

- Shawn Pearson (Cantonniers de Magog) on his team improving to 4-1

“We’ve proven that we can compete with any team here, but at the end of the day that means nothing when the puck drops tomorrow and it becomes a new tournament. Our main goal is to win a championship and that’s all we’re focused on as we head into the biggest game of our season.”

- Luke Patterson (Moncton Flyers) on his team’s confidence after being undefeated in the preliminary round

For more information on the 2022 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Moncton Flyers 7, Vancouver NE Chiefs 4

• Game stats available here

Cantonniers de Magog 5, Mississauga Reps 2

• Game stats available here

Notre Dame Hounds 4, Sydney Rush 1

• Game stats available here

Next games - Friday, May 20: 

• Mississauga Reps vs. Vancouver NE Chiefs (1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT)
• Notre Dame Hounds vs. Cantonniers de Magog (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT)
• Sydney Rush vs. Moncton Flyers (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the championship game on May 22; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and the semifinals will be livestreamed at HockeyCanada.ca/TELUSCup.

Quotes: 

“Today was a character win for our group. We were behind 3-0 early but I am proud of how our team responded after we called a timeout to reset. In September, we asked our players to write down their goals for the season, and it was easy for them to say play in the TELUS Cup back then, but to be here and advancing to the semifinals is a great accomplishment for them.”

- Moncton Flyers head coach John DeCourcey on his team clinching a semifinal berth

“It was a big goal for our team, especially being on the penalty kill for four minutes. The most important thing is that we got off to a great start and played the Cantonniers’ style of hockey to win the game. If we continue to play like we have all season, we believe that we can go very deep into the tournament.”

- Maxime Côté (Cantonniers de Magog) on scoring his first goal of the TELUS Cup

“Last night’s win was a big turning point for our team and helped us get back on track. It has been a dream come true to play for this team on this stage, and to win again tonight is huge for our confidence, but we have to stay focused for tomorrow’s game.”

- Joey Rocha (Notre Dame Hounds) on winning his second straight start in net

For more information on the 2022 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Moncton Flyers 4, Cantonniers de Magog 3

• Game stats available here

Sydney Rush 3, Vancouver NE Chiefs 2

• Game stats available here

Notre Dame Hounds 4, Mississauga Reps 1

• Game stats available here

Next games - Thursday, May 19: 

• Moncton Flyers vs. Vancouver NE Chiefs (12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT)
• Mississauga Reps vs. Cantonniers de Magog (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT)
• Notre Dame Hounds vs. Sydney Rush (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast the championship game on May 22; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and the semifinals will be livestreamed at HockeyCanada.ca/TELUSCup.

Quotes: 

“Our goal today was to score first and establish momentum early, and when we did that, it set the tone and helped us play with confidence during the rest of the game. We are a family that is clicking right now and if we keep this going, good things will come for us as a team.”

- Luke Patterson (Moncton Flyers) on his two-goal performance that helped his team remain undefeated 

“Our compete level had to go up after we lost our first two games, and the players put in a gutsy performance to accomplish that today. We have success as a team when we play hard and stick to our structure and we will have to keep that up to advance to the semifinals. It was an emotional win for us, and it was nice for our players and Cape Breton, but we will turn our attention to tomorrow’s game.”

- Sydney head coach Troy Chiasson on his team’s first win 

“It was important to remind our team that no trophies were handed out during our first two games and that our focus should be on finishing the tournament strong. We played with much better habits tonight and I think that will pay off for us during the rest of the week.”

- Notre Dame head coach Del Pedrick on how his team rebounded from losing its first two games

For more information on the 2022 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It was during tryouts ahead of this season when Moncton Flyers head coach John DeCourcey first noticed Zach Wheeler off the ice.

It’s not often that a 14-year-old tries out for an under-18 team, and Wheeler needed special permission to enter the New Brunswick/Prince EdwardIsland Major U18 Hockey League (NBPEIMU18HL) at such a young age.

Wheeler’s on-ice ability was certainly something the coach noticed. Off the ice, though, he could see the young forward wasn’t chatting much with the other players and was having a tough time finding his place in a room full of 16- and 17-year-olds.

“He wasn't in the middle of the group, you know?” DeCourcey says. “He was sitting near the door. So we had talked to Noah Matulu and asked him to make sure that Wheeler feels included and look after him. He made it a point in our dressing room to sit next to him and asked other players to move over so he could stay there. And just take care of him."

 That was the start of a friendship between two players that has grown and evolved over the course of the season and a relationship that is as tight as any on a hockey team.

A friendship between a player in Wheeler, who was fresh out of middle school, and another in Matulu, who was about to start his last year of high school and begin thinking about careers and long-term goals.

“I just went and talked to him in the summer at hockey camps, we got to know each other, he told me a little bit about himself, I told him a bit about myself and we knew each other better after that,” says Matulu. “Once the team [was selected], we started playing on the same line and I picked him up from school on the early-day practices and we’re also roomies when we go on road trips. We’re pretty close now.”

Matulu chuckles when asked if Wheeler has changed over the course of the season. Has he broken out of his shell?

“Now he can’t keep his mouth shut,” Matulu says with a laugh.

It’s never easy being the kid that people are talking about, that player with skill and maturity beyond his years that make hockey parents, coaches and players notice. Often, it’s that player who has a target on his back. Wheeler has been that kid, the one playing with older players in top leagues.

Wheeler says there was a sense of comfort early on this season that had a lot to do with Matulu, the way he took Wheeler under his wing, showed him the way, and included and treated the youngster as a hockey player and teammate.

A three-year difference is a lot outside of hockey but, when we’re playing the game, it’s like we’re all the same.”

“When I first came in, I wouldn’t really say a word. Now that I know everyone, and Noah obviously helped me a lot with that, I feel like I talk a lot more now,” Wheeler says. “The maturity levels are obviously a lot different. Sometimes the boys will chirp me about only being in Grade 9 and some of the boys are Grade 12 and 11. Now, it’s not much of a big deal. I don’t really see it as affecting me much. The boys don’t mind me. A three-year difference is a lot outside of hockey but, when we’re playing the game, it’s like we’re all the same.”

It’s that last point that perhaps sheds the most light on what kind of player and person Wheeler is. DeCourcey and Matulu both mention during separate conversations that anyone who watches or plays with or against Wheeler would never know he was 14. He’s a 14-year-old who has grown confident in talking to peers and adults alike and, on the ice, he’s a 6-foot, two-way forward who can take over plays and games.

He put up 34 points (16-18—34) in 30 games during the regular season – one point back of Matulu – and co-led the Flyers in playoff scoring with eight points (3-5—8) in seven postseason contests.

He taught me on the ice that, even though you’re not the bigger, stronger guy out there, you can still make a big impact on the team,”

 

“He taught me on the ice that, even though you’re not the bigger, stronger guy out there, you can still make a big impact on the team,” Matulu says. “When he came out here, he was ready to play but he got a lot better during the year and now he’s one of our top players and top scorers. Even though he’s young, age is just a number and the possibilities are endless for Zach. I like the way he’s playing, he’s contributing a lot to our team and I try to play a little like he does, bring a positive impact to the team.”

As for Wheeler, his biggest takeaway and learning from Matulu comes down to including everyone and simply treating people the right way.

“He’s an older guy and, for me, I do camps with younger kids, so a younger kid meeting an older guy, you’re going to be more timid and shy,” Wheeler says. “He really showed me that I have to introduce myself, make them feel welcome and just treat people how you’d like to be treated.”

A few months from now, Matulu is scheduled to start the next chapter of his life at the University of Moncton, where he plans to study criminology with a long-term goal of becoming a police officer. He also hopes to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Wheeler, meanwhile, will be back for a second season with the Flyers before he is QMJHL draft-eligible in 2023.

Before that happens, though, the duo and the rest of the Flyers have a national title to play for – Moncton is making a ninth appearance at the TELUS Cup, looking to win Canada’s National Men’s U18 Club Championship for the first time.