PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Preparations are underway in Prince George in anticipation of welcoming the 2017 TELUS Cup in April.

Canada’s National Midget Championship will see the host Cariboo Cougars welcome five regional champions from across Canada (Atlantic, Central, Pacific, Quebec, West) to the CN Centre.

The 2017 TELUS Cup will kick off on Monday, April 24 with three games on the official tournament schedule, including the Cougars taking to the ice at 7:30 p.m. PT against the Pacific Region champions.

Ticket packages will be available for purchase online and at the CN Centre box office beginning Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3:45 p.m. during the Cariboo Cougars home-opener. Early-bird packages will be on sale until Dec. 31, 2016 for $59, while the event package will be sold as of Jan. 1, 2017 for $79.

“We are honoured to offer ticket packages that can be affordable for all of our fans,” said Shawn Rice, co-chair of the 2017 TELUS Cup. “Tickets average about $3 per game, a tremendous price for this level of hockey, and packages will make a great Christmas gift. Our goal is to put as many fans as possible in the seats to make this the best TELUS Cup ever.”

The 44th edition of the championship marks the fourth time the TELUS Cup returns to British Columbia and the second time that Prince George will welcome the tournament. The B.C. communities of Victoria (1982) and Kamloops (1996) have also hosted Canada’s National Midget Championship in the past. On average, the TELUS Cup has contributed approximately $2 million in economic activity to the host region.

"Along with Mayor Lyn Hall and the other members of City Council, I am looking forward to watching the 2017 TELUS Cup in Prince George next spring. I am also pleased that local hockey fans will be able to see some of the top young hockey players from around the country playing for this prestigious trophy right here at home," says Acting Mayor Jillian Merrick. "Prince George is known as a top destination for large-scale tournaments, conferences, and meetings and I would like to thank the organizers of this tournament for their hard work and preparation, and congratulate the Cariboo Cougars for their role as Host Team."

“Prince George is excited to showcase its exceptional hospitality by welcoming the 2017 TELUS Cup,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “This is a great opportunity for the people of Prince George to come together to cheer on the outstanding athletes and enjoy Canada’s favourite sport.”

The gold medal game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS, official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, on Sunday, April 30. Please check local listings for broadcast times and details.

A number of future NHLers have taken part in Canada’s National Midget Championship since its inception in 1974, including 53 first-round draft picks, three No. 1 selections (Gord Kluzak, Wendel Clark and Sidney Crosby), and eight future Hockey Hall of Fame inductees (Glenn Anderson, Ron Francis, Mike Gartner, Al MacInnis, Larry Murphy, Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman).

For more information on the 2017 TELUS Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/TELUSCup, or follow along via social media on Facebook or Twitter.