MEMBERTOU, Nova Scotia – The Cantonniers de Magog have won their second TELUS Cup after defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings 4-1 to complete a perfect 7-0 week at Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship. 

It’s the fifth medal for the Cantonniers at the TELUS Cup, joining the gold medal won in 2000, and the silver medals from 2018, 2019 and 2022. 

Gabriel Courchesne (Drummondville, QC) netted the game-winning goal on the power play in the final minutes of the opening period. Courchesne, who had five multi-point games and at least one point in six of seven, finished as the tournament leader in goals (10) and points (15).

“This is an amazing feeling. We worked hard all year long for this moment, and we are all so happy to win this tournament. We have 20 players on our team that can do their job perfectly within our system, and that is what makes our group special,” Courchesne said. “We knew about the last three losses [in the gold medal game] this team had at the TELUS Cup, so we wanted to get a win for the coaches that lost those games, our program and ourselves.”

Simon-Xavier Cyr (Sherbrooke, QC) beat Brandon netminder Burke Hood (Brandon, MB) to open the scoring for the Cantonniers 11:58 into the game before Easton Odut (Brandon, MB) evened the score just over three minutes later. The Cantonniers added goals from Marc-Olivier Proteau (Lac-Mégantic, QC) and Antoine Boudreau (Drummondville, QC), who also contributed two assists apiece, in the second period to secure the win.

“I had such a sense of pride watching my players win every game this week, and it was an unbelievable feeling when I was able to rejoin my second family [for the semifinal] on Saturday,” said Magog head coach Samuel Collard (Sherbrooke, QC). “We wanted to bring this trophy back to Magog, and we never took anything for granted this week right up until the last minute. All year, we wanted to be a team that works hard and sticks together, and that is exactly what we did.”

Kyan Labbé (Sherbrooke, QC) made 19 saves for Magog to cap off an impressive tournament, leading all goaltenders in goals-against average (1.71) and save percentage (.942). Hood turned in a stellar performance in net for the Wheat Kings, making 42 saves.

“We worked all season to be national champions, and to be able to say that we accomplished that with people that we have been playing with since we were 10 years old is amazing. When we got the lead, we knew we needed to stay calm and we ended up getting two big goals in the second period,” said Labbé. “This is an incredible tournament, and we only had one thing on our minds here, and that was to win. This is a team that loves each other and we are really going to enjoy this win.”

A full game summary game be found HERE.

In between the medal games, Hockey Canada announced the 2024 TELUS Cup tournament awards:

• Most Valuable Player – Gabriel Courchesne (Drummondville, QC), Magog Cantonniers
• Top Forward – Antoine Boudreau (Drummondville, QC), Magog Cantonniers
• Top Defence – Liam O’Neill (Calgary, AB), Calgary Buffaloes
• Top Goaltender – Kyan Labbé (Sherbrooke, QC), Magog Cantonniers
• Most Sportsmanlike Player – Brady Turko (Brandon, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings
• TELUS Cup Scholarship ($1,000) – Ryan Piggot (Richmond Hill, ON), Markham Waxers

Calgary Buffaloes defeat Markham Waxers 4-3 in shootout to win bronze

Earlier in the day, Calgary rebounded from a 4-1 loss to Brandon in the semifinals to win the bronze medal, defeating the Markham Waxers 4-3 in a shootout to secure its seventh medal at the TELUS Cup.

Brayden Gourley (Calgary, AB) and Rhys Jamieson (Calgary, AB) scored in the shootout to give Calgary its third bronze all-time. Kael Svensson (Calgary, AB) turned aside all four attempts he faced in the shootout after making 36 saves in regulation and overtime, while Eamon Callaghan (Oshawa, ON) stopped 23 shots.

“I just wanted to stay calm and collected, and I trusted our guys to get the job done. The boys battled really hard, and we had to go through a little bit of adversity, but we were able get through it and come away with the win,” said Svenson. “It feels great [to win the bronze medal]. We really wanted to finish the tournament with a win, and although we did not come away with gold, we wanted to leave with something. I could not be more proud of this team.”

The teams traded goals in the opening two periods before Piggott scored on a partial breakaway to give Markham a 3-2 lead midway through the third. Calgary tied it just over four minutes later when Christian Stephanson (Calgary, AB) beat Callaghan for a shorthanded goal. Calgary and Markham traded chances in the 3-on-3 extra frame, but neither team could find the back of the net.

A full game summary game be found HERE. To download game highlights from the bronze medal game, please CLICK HERE.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram, and by using #TELUSCup.

No team spent more time on the Road to the TELUS Cup than the Markham Waxers.

After playing 35 regular-season games across 130 days from October to February, the Waxers grinded through 22 playoff contests in just 57 days, and it was quite a schedule.

Markham played 10 games in 22 days to qualify for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship, which was four games in three days. After a three-week break, it survived a seven-games-in-seven-days marathon at the Central Regional.

And now the Waxers get to do it all over again in Membertou.

Markham finished the regular season strong, winning 11 of its last 12 games to slide into second place in the East Division of the OMHA, and after a loss to the first-place Ajax-Pickering Raiders to open the postseason, it dropped only two of the next 21, with a wild 6-5 win over the Waterloo Wolves the final step towards Cape Breton.

The Waxers got contributions from up and down the lineup, with four players averaging at least a point a game in the regular season and 10 recording at least 20 points, while three hit the point-per-game mark in the playoffs.

Tate Collins and Matthew Johnson were the catalysts up front; they co-led Markham in regular-season scoring with 46 points each before combining for 66 points across 22 postseason games.

It’s the first time the Waxers have qualified for Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship, and the first time the Central representative has come from the OMHA since the Hamilton Reps in 2009.

HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU

Ontario Minor Hockey Association
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

Central Regional
Preliminary round: 2nd place – defeated Ottawa Jr. 67’s 5-3, defeated Vaughan Kings 6-2, defeated Timmins Majors 10-1, lost to Waterloo Wolves 4-3 OT, defeated Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 7-2
Semifinal: defeated Vaughan Kings 4-3
Final: defeated Waterloo Wolves 6-5

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-T-OTL): 24-8-1-2 (5th in OMHA)
Goals for: 157 (7th in OMHA)
Goals against: 87 (5th in OMHA)
Longest winning streak: 6 (Jan. 6-28)
Top 3 scorers:
- Matthew Johnson – 25G 21A 46P (15th in OMHA)
- Tate Collins – 19G 27A 46P (18th in OMHA)
- Philip Govedaris – 14G 24A 38P (35th in OMHA)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 17-3-2
Goals for: 109
Goals against: 57
Top 3 scorers:
- Tate Collins – 15G 24A 39P
- Matthew Johnson – 17G 10A 27P
- Philip Govedaris – 11G 16A 27P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

OHL DRAFTED PLAYERS

Lucas Manikis – Flint Firebirds 2023 (10th round, 195th overall)
Kyle Butt – Windsor Spitfires 2023 (12th round, 240th overall)
Tate Collins – Owen Sound Attack 2023 (14th round, 272nd overall)
Eric Sencaj – Barrie Colts 2023 (14th round, 279th overall)

They’re back.

After a one-year hiatus, the Cantonniers de Magog will once again represent Quebec at the TELUS Cup, making it four appearances in the last five tournaments – 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 (there was no tournament in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

While the regular season was solid but not spectacular – the Cantonniers’ 27 wins in the Ligue de développement du hockey M18 AAA du Québec (LHM18AAAQ) ranked fifth over the last six full seasons, dating back to the start of their title run in 2017-18 – it was the playoffs where Magog was once again at its best.

It swept Châteauguay and downed Lac St-Louis in four before eliminating the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François – the defending TELUS Cup champions – in a semifinal sweep.

The Estacades de Trois-Rivières were the final obstacle between Magog and Membertou, and after a back-and-forth series that went the distance, Mavrik Duhaime scored the Game 5 overtime winner to send the Cantonniers to Cape Breton.

It was scoring by committee during the regular season, with Gabriel Courchesne (24-35—59 – second in the LHM18AAAQ) pacing an offence that featured five players with 30+ points and six who hit double-digits in goals.

Kyan Labbé was terrific in goal, finishing second in goals-against average (1.98) and save percentage (.934) before playing all but 23 minutes of the playoff run.

All that’s left now is to get that elusive final win – the Cantonniers became just the third team to lose back-to-back national finals in 2018 and 2019 (joining the 1994-95 Red Deer Chiefs and 2014-15 Grenadiers de Châteauguay), and made it three in a row with an overtime loss to the Moncton Flyers in 2022.

HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU

Ligue de développement du hockey M18 AAA du Québec
Tacks semifinal: defeated Grenadiers de Châteauguay 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)
Final: defeated Estacades de Trois-Rivières 3-2 (1-5, 4-3 OT, 1-0, 3-4, 2-1 OT)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 27-9-6 (2nd in LHM18AAAQ)
Goals for: 163 (T-1st in LHM18AAAQ)
Goals against: 111 (3rd in LHM18AAAQ)
Longest winning streak: 3 (Oct. 25-Nov. 1; Dec. 14-Jan. 5; Jan. 12-17)
Top 3 scorers:
- Gabriel Courchesne – 24G 35A 59P (2nd in LHM18AAAQ)
- Antoine Boudreau – 25G 29A 54P (5th in LHM18AAAQ)
- Alexis Toussaint – 14G 27A 41P (15th in LHM18AAAQ)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 11-3
Goals for: 48
Goals against: 32
Top 3 scorers:
- Marc-Olivier Proteau – 7G 9A 16P
- Antoine Boudreau – 5G 9A 14P
- Alexis Toussaint – 6G 6A 12P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2022 – Cantonniers de Magog | silver medal | 5-2-0 | 42GF 22GA
2019 – Cantonniers de Magog | silver medal | 6-1-0 | 24GF 8GA
2018 – Cantonniers de Magog | silver medal | 3-3-1 | 24GF 25GA
2000 – Cantonniers de Magog | gold medal | 6-1-0 | 46GF 17GA
1995 – Cantonniers de Magog | 5th place | 2-3-0 | 7GF 12GA

QMJHL DRAFTED PLAYERS

Zachary Plamondon – Charlottetown Islanders 2023 (3rd round, 45th overall)
Antoine St-Laurent – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2023 (4th round, 68th overall)
Kyan Labbé – Saint John Sea Dogs 2023 (4th round, 72nd overall)
Vincent Desmarais – Drummondville Voltigeurs 2023 (5th round, 82nd overall)
Alexis Toussaint – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (6th round, 99th overall)
Antoine Boudreau – Drummondville Voltigeurs 2022 (10th round, 171st overall)
Alexandre Raymond – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2023 (10th round, 171st overall)
Marc-Olivier Proteau – Shawinigan Cataractes 2023 (11th round, 191st overall)
Anthony Morin – Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2023 (11th round, 193rd overall)
Charles-Antoine Adam – Sherbrooke Phoenix 2022 (11th round, 195th overall)
Colin Brodeur – Halifax Mooseheads 2023 (13th round, 237th overall)
Zack Hansford – Shawinigan Cataractes 2023 (14th round, 245th overall)
Mavrik Duhaime – Cape Breton Eagles 2023 (14th round, 246th overall)

The Kensington Wild will have the shortest trip to Membertou for the 2024 TELUS Cup, but they’ve come an awfully long way to get there.

The post-pandemic years have been tough on the Wild, who won just 18 of 73 regular-season games across three seasons from 2020-23 and suffered a pair of playoff sweeps at the hands of the Charlottetown Knights (there was no postseason in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign).

But then came 2023-24.

Kensington finished second in the New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island U18 Major Hockey League (NBPEIU18MHL) and led the league in goal scoring, earning almost as many wins before the calendar turned to 2024 (13) as it did the previous two full seasons (17).

The Wild got their revenge on Charlottetown in the P.E.I. final, sweeping aside the Knights in four straight, and cruised through the Atlantic Regional with four wins and an overtime loss, capped by a 10-0 romp over the Halifax Macs in the regional final.

Ethan Dickson led the charge offensively, sitting atop the NBPEIU18MHL scoring chart with league-leading totals in goals (31), assists (44) and points (75), 20 points more than the next-highest scorer and 26 more than any other Wild skater. Between the pipes, George Gallant fashioned a league-best .929 save percentage across 17 appearances.

It’s the first time a team from Prince Edward Island has won the Atlantic championship since 2004, and the first time a team from Kensington will play for Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship since 1976.

HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU

New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island U18 Major Hockey League
P.E.I. final: defeated Charlottetown Knights 4-0 (5-1, 5-4, 6-1, 6-2)

Atlantic Regional
Preliminary round: 1st place – defeated Halifax Macs 3-2, lost to Dartmouth Majors 2-1 OT, defeated Moncton Flyers 6-2, defeated Pinnacle Growlers 7-0
Final: defeated Halifax Macs 10-0

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 21-10-4 (2nd in NBPEIU18MHL)
Goals for: 180 (1st in NBPEIU18MHL)
Goals against: 120 (2nd in NBPEIU18MHL)
Longest winning streak: 5 (Sept. 23-Oct. 14)
Top 3 scorers:
- Ethan Dickson – 31G 44A 75P (1st in NBPEIU18MHL)
- Liam Arsenault – 15G 34A 49P (4th in NBPEIU18MHL)
- Eddy Doyle – 15G 23A 38P (11th in NBPEIU18MHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 8-1
Goals for: 49
Goals against: 14
Top 3 scorers:
- Ethan Dickson – 9G 13A 22P
- Liam Arsenault – 9G 5A 14P
- Derek Andrews – 4G 8A 12P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

1976 – Kensington | 13th place | 0-6-0 | 4GF 47GA

QMJHL DRAFTED PLAYERS

Eddy Doyle – Halifax Mooseheads 2023 (4th round, 75th overall)
Michael Arsenault –Drummondville Voltigeurs 2022 (6th round, 102nd overall)
Ethan Dickson –Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2022 (13th round, 234th overall)

It’s not often an overtime loss in a mid-November game is notable.

But when that’s the only blemish on your record through the regular season and playoffs, it bears mentioning.

The Brandon Wheat Kings were simply dominant in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League (MBU18AAAHL) this season, posting a record of 43 wins and an overtime loss while outscoring opponents by an otherworldly 270-82 (the next-best totals were 193 GF and 120 GA).

Their run to the TELUS Cup – their first appearance since winning it all in 2004 – included a streak of 42 consecutive victories after that Nov. 10 loss to the Southwest Cougars, before the Wheat Kings dropped a meaningless game to the Thunder Bay Kings to close out the preliminary round at the West Regional, their place in the regional final already secured.

They were challenged in that final by the defending champion Saskatoon Blazers, but an overtime goal from Brady Turko sent the Wheat Kings to Membertou with a 1-0 win.

Turko was the trigger man all season long for Brandon, scoring 41 goals in 41 games during the regular season before adding 13 in 13 playoff contests. He rode shotgun alongside Jaxon Jacobson, the No. 5 pick by Brandon in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, who put up 106 points (37-69—106) in 35 games.

But let’s not forget the guys at the other end of the ice. Matthew Michta and Burke Hood have split the goaltending duties right down the middle, with both posting sub-2.00 goals-against averages in the regular season and a combined six shutouts.

Brandon will look to end a dry spell for its region. The most successful region in tournament history (with 17 national titles since 1984), West teams have only one gold medal (and one gold medal game appearance) in the last seven tournaments, by Notre Dame in 2018.

HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU

Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League
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)

West Regional
Preliminary round: 1st place – defeated Saskatoon Blazers 4-1, defeated Winnipeg Wild 3-1, lost to Thunder Bay Kings 5-3
Final: defeated Saskatoon Blazers 1-0 OT

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 43-0-1 (1st in MBU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 270 (1st in MBU18AAAHL)
Goals against: 82 (1st in MBU18AAAHL)
Longest winning streak: 31 (Nov. 11-Feb. 25)
Top 3 scorers:
- Jaxon Jacobson – 37G 69A 106P (1st in MBU18AAAHL)
- Brady Turko – 41G 49A 90P (2nd in MBU18AAAHL)
- Ethan Stewart – 29G 35A 64P (3rd in MBU18AAAHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-1
Goals for: 64
Goals against: 21
Top 3 scorers:
- Jaxon Jacobson – 12G 16A 28P
- Brady Turko – 13G 13A 26P
- Colten Worthington – 9G 7A 16P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2004 – Brandon Wheat Kings | gold medal | 4-2-1 | 26GF 20GA
1994 – Brandon Wheat Kings | 6th place | 0-5-0 | 11GF 25GA
1980 – Brandon | 9th place | 1-4-0 | 13GF 23GA

WHL DRAFTED PLAYERS

Jaxon Jacobson – Brandon Wheat Kings 2023 (1st round, 5th overall)
Easton Odut – Brandon Wheat Kings 2022 (2nd round, 34th overall)
Nolan Saunderson – Spokane Chiefs 2023 (5th round, 90th overall)
Brady Turko – Brandon Wheat Kings 2022 (5th round, 97th overall)
Burke Hood – Vancouver Giants 2022 (6th round, 119th overall)
Kaeson Fisher – Everett Silvertips 2022 (6th round, 124th overall)
Owen Wallace – Prince Albert Raiders 2021 (7th round, 138th overall)
Jonah Lemoine – Prince Albert Raiders 2023 (9th round, 178th overall)
Colten Worthington – Saskatoon Blades 2022 (11th round, 233rd overall)
Grady Taylor – Lethbridge Hurricanes 2023 (13th round, 278th overall)

Defence wins championships, but that doesn’t mean you can sleep on the Calgary Buffaloes in the offensive end.

The Buffaloes allowed less than three goals a game in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) regular season and gave up only 25 in 12 playoff games, capped by a shutout of the Vancouver NE Chiefs – a team that averaged almost six goals a game in its run to the B.C. title – in the deciding Game 2 of the Pacific Regional.

But again, let’s not forget what Calgary can do with the puck.

The Buffaloes paced the AEHL with 199 goals in 38 games, scoring 29 – almost a goal a game – more than second-best St. Albert. Cooper Williams and Caleb Matthews were the dynamic duo up front; Williams’ 29 goals led the league, while Matthews topped the loop with 50 assists and 68 points.

In all, seven Buffaloes averaged at least a point a game and eight reached double-digits in goals.

Calgary took control of the AEHL South Division with a season-high nine-game win streak from Dec. 20 to Jan. 28 that saw it outscore its opponents by a combined 56-16.

It faced early adversity in the playoffs, dropping the opener of its best-of-three series against the Red Deer Chiefs, but has lost just once in 11 games since, clinching a ninth appearance at the TELUS Cup.

The Buffaloes have never failed to reach the semifinals at Canada’s Men’s U18 National Club Championship and have taken home a medal from six of their eight trips, including a national championship in 1989.

HOW THEY GOT TO MEMBERTOU

Alberta Elite Hockey League
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)

Pacific Regional
Final: defeated Vancouver NE Chiefs 2-0 (3-2, 1-0)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL-T): 27-9-0-2 (1st in AEHL)
Goals for: 199 (1st in AEHL)
Goals against: 106 (2nd in AEHL)
Top 3 scorers:
- Caleb Matthews – 18G 50A 68P (1st in AEHL)
- Cooper Williams – 29G 22A 51P (5th in AEHL)
- Christian Stephanson – 17G 28A 35P (13th in AEHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 10-2
Goals for: 46
Goals against: 25
Top 3 scorers:
- Caleb Matthews – 11G 14A 25P
- Cooper Williams – 8G 7A 15P
- Brayden Gourley – 5G 7A 12P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2019 – Calgary Buffaloes | 4th place | 3-4-0 | 25GF 23GA
2009 – Calgary Buffaloes | silver medal | 3-2-2 | 29GF 21GA
2008 – Calgary Buffaloes | 4th place | 2-4-1 | 17GF 22GA
2006 – Calgary Buffaloes | silver medal | 4-3-0 | 30GF 25GA
1998 – Calgary Buffaloes | bronze medal | 5-1-1 | 41GF 26GA
1989 – Calgary Buffaloes | gold medal | 5-2-0 | 26GF 18GA
1987 – Calgary Buffaloes | bronze medal | 4-3-0 | 28GF 21GA
1985 – Calgary Buffaloes | bronze medal | 3-3-1 | 25GF 23GA

WHL DRAFTED PLAYERS

Rhys Jamieson – Everett Silvertips 2023 (2nd round, 32nd overall)
Cooper Williams – Saskatoon Blades 2023 (2nd round, 41st overall)
Townes Kozicky – Prince George Cougars 2023 (2nd round, 44th overall)
Caleb Matthews – Victoria Royals 2022 (3rd round, 91st overall)
Christian Stephanson – Winnipeg ICE 2022 (7th round, 154th overall)
Colten Scott – Seattle Thunderbirds 2022 (11th round, 236th overall)

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)