CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) have announced that the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be played in Calgary for the first time in the 54-year history of the tournament.

The Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) – who reached the semifinals of the 2024 tournament as AJHL champions – will welcome nine champions from across the CJHL from May 8-18, 2025 at the Max Bell Centre.

“We are ecstatic to bring Canada’s National Junior A Championship to Calgary next spring,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “The Centennial Cup has a storied history and the City of Calgary has deep hockey roots, both at the professional and junior levels. We cannot wait to bring the top Junior A players in the country to Alberta to compete for a national championship.”

The 10-team field for the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, includes the host Canucks, along with champions from the AJHL, Central Canada Hockey League, Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League.

“The CJHL is thrilled that the Calgary Canucks have been named hosts of the 2025 Centennial Cup,” said Andy Harkness, president of the CJHL. “The Canucks and the Alberta Junior Hockey League have put a significant number of resources towards bidding for the right to host the event, and we know our member clubs will be treated to a week of excellent hockey and western hospitality.”

It is the eighth time Alberta will host the Centennial Cup since the tournament began in 1971, with Calgary joining Edmonton (1975), Olds (1994), Fort McMurray (2000), Grande Prairie (2004), Camrose (2011), Lloydminster (2016) and Brooks (2019).

“Calgary is thrilled to be welcoming the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, for the first time in 2025,” says Carson Ackroyd, vice-president of sales with Tourism Calgary. “This prestigious event, hosted by the Calgary Canucks, highlights our city’s rich hockey heritage, and offers an exciting opportunity to showcase Calgary’s vibrant community and renowned hospitality. We look forward to welcoming teams and fans from across Canada to the Max Bell Centre for an unforgettable tournament.”

Details regarding schedules, ticket packages and broadcast information for the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be announced at a later date. Fans can sign up now to receive ticket information or become a Hockey Canada Insider and receive advanced access to tickets and other promotions.

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

THOROLD, Ontario – Hockey Canada has announced the roster for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team for a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park.

Twenty-three players – three goaltenders, seven defence and 13 forwards – will wear the Maple Leaf. The roster includes five players (Cimeroni, Grenier, Manness, Primerano, Zablocki) who captured a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Zug, Switzerland.

The team was selected by Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB), senior manager of hockey operations, and Cherie Piper (Scarborough, ON), senior manager of scouting and player development. Head coach Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA), assistant coaches Marc-André Côté (Montreal, QC/University of Moncton, AUS) and Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/Boston, PWHL), and goaltending coach Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/University of Saskatchewan, CW) also provided input.

“We have an incredibly promising group set to face off against the United States,” said Sunohara. “These players know our goal is to improve every day and we have been able to see the progress through selection camp. The series provides an excellent opportunity to develop our players and prepare them for more international competition later in the season.”

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will face the United States on Aug. 14, Aug. 15 and Aug. 17. All U18 games will begin at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, while the development games will start at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the rosters for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for its three-game series against the United States.

Forty-six players – six goaltenders, 14 defence and 26 forwards – have been invited to U18 selection camp, scheduled for Aug. 5-11 at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario. The roster includes five players (Cimeroni, Grenier, S. Manness, Primerano, Zablocki) who captured a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Zug, Switzerland.

The week-long camp will feature on- and off-ice training sessions and practices, as well as three Red-White games on Aug. 7-10. Once selected, Team Canada will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park.

“The selection camp is a crucial step as it serves as the first step in our program for this group of talented athletes. Our coaches and support staff are eager to begin guiding and developing these players,” said Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA), head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team. “We anticipate a high-level of competition during the camp as the players compete to earn a spot to represent Canada on the international stage during the series and beyond.”

Twenty-four players – three goaltenders, eight defence and 13 forwards – have been named to Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for its three-game series against the United States from Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park in Thorold.

The roster includes 10 players (Adam, Amos, Baxter, Grober, Iginla, MacLeod, Murphy, Pais, Regalado, Swiderski) who won gold at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Madison, Wisconsin, and nine players (Alexander, Amos, Baxter, Graham, Grober, Kraemer, Murphy, Pais, Venusio) who won gold at the 2023 U18 Women’s Worlds in Östersund, Sweden.

“We are excited about the highly accomplished athletes that will join us with the development team this year as they return to the international stage against the United States,” said Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA), head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Development Team. “Our coaching staff is very eager to work with this group, which includes a good mix of returning players as well as some new faces, as we continue their development as athletes in our program.”

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the coaching staffs for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and Canada’s National Women’s Development Team for the 2024-25 season, including three-game series against the United States in August.

Team Canada legend Vicky Sunohara (Scarborough, ON/University of Toronto, OUA) will take the reins as head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team, while Alison Domenico (Ottawa, ON/University of Ottawa, OUA) will lead Canada’s National Women’s Development Team behind the bench.

“We’re thrilled about the coaching staffs for the women’s development and under-18 programs that have joined us for the upcoming season,” said Dylan Rockwell (Calgary, AB), senior manager of hockey operations. “These steps in the program require a high-level of commitment from our coaches, who continue to return year after year to guide and develop our athletes. We look forward to the professionalism and skill the coaches will bring in leading our teams on the international stage this year.”

Following her role as an assistant coach during the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, Sunohara will make her international head coaching debut. She will be joined by assistant coaches Marc-André Côté (Montreal, QC/University of Moncton, AUS) and Stefanie McKeough (Carlsbad Springs, ON/Boston, PWHL), as well as goaltending consultant Sheldon Goertzen (Saskatoon, SK/University of Saskatchewan, CW) and video coach Andrew Boucher (Timmins, ON).

Sunohara is entering her 14th season as head coach of the University of Toronto women’s hockey team, winning Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U SPORTS Coach of the Year honours in three-consecutive seasons (2020-23) and leading the Blues to the U SPORTS national championship tournament in 2022 and 2023. Internationally, she won a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and bronze at the 2024 tournament. As a player, Sunohara won two Olympic gold medals and seven IIHF World Women’s Championship gold medals, and ranks 10th all-time in National Women’s Team scoring with 119 points (56-63—119) in 164 games.

Côté is entering his 13th season with the University of Moncton women’s hockey team, serving the last six seasons as head coach and the previous six as an assistant. He has also served as an assistant coach for a pair of three-game series against the United States, once with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team (2022) and once with Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team (2023). As a player, Côté won a gold medal at the 2004 Junior World Cup with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team and bronze at the 2004 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Quebec.

McKeough is entering her second season as an assistant coach with PWHL Boston, taking the role shortly after her appointment as head coach of the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team in 2023. She served as an assistant coach for the Gee-Gees for two seasons (2021-23), as well as head coach of Göteborg HC of the Svenka Damhockeyligen (SDHL) in Sweden during the 2020 season following two years as an assistant. Internationally, she captured a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship as an assistant coach and a gold medal in 2023. As a player, McKeough won a silver medal with Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship.

Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team selection camp, presented by BFL CANADA, will take place Aug. 5-10 at Canada Games Park in Thorold, Ontario. Once selected, the team will play a three-game series against the United States, Aug. 14-17 at Canada Games Park.

For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team and a list of camp support staff, please click here.

With Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, Domenico will make her international head coaching debut alongside assistant coaches Rachel Flanagan (Pontypool, ON/University of Guelph, OUA) and Tara Watchorn (Newcastle, ON/Boston University, HE), as well as goaltending consultant Katie Greenway (Guelph, ON) and video coach Jessie Leung (Penticton, BC/Okanagan Hockey Academy, CSSHL).

Domenico was recently named head coach of the University of Ottawa women’s hockey team after over a decade as an assistant coach in the NCAA with Ohio State University (2010-11), Syracuse University (2011-18) and Providence College (2018-21). Internationally, she has won gold medals as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship. As a player, she won gold with Ontario Red at the 2005 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and with Ontario at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.

Flanagan is an assistant coach with PWHL Toronto after serving 16 seasons as head coach of the University of Guelph women’s hockey team. During her tenure at Guelph, Flanagan led the Gryphons to a U SPORTS national championship in 2019, in addition to three OUA titles, and has been named the OUA Coach of the Year on five occasions. She previously served as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Women’s Team during the Rivalry Series in 2022-23, has been as an assistant with Canada’s National Women’s Development Team three times (2011, 2012, 2022) and was recognized as a BFL Female Coach of the Year in 2020-21.

Watchorn is entering her second season as head coach at Boston University after becoming the first head coach of Stonehill College’s women’s hockey team (2021-23), earning NEWHA Coach of the Year honours in the program’s inaugural season. Prior to joining Stonehill, Watchorn served as an assistant coach with Boston University for four seasons (2017-20). A 2014 Olympic gold medallist as a player, she was named head coach of Canada’s National Women’s Under-18 Team last year, earning a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship after winning back-to-back gold medals as an assistant coach in 2022 and 2023.

Canada’s National Women’s Development Team will gather in Thorold, Ontario, for a three-game series against the United States from Aug. 14-17.

For a full list of staff for Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, please click here.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Women’s Program, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has invited 163 players to participate in its Program of Excellence summer camps – Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase, Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp and Canada’s national under-17 development camp.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to host summer camps across our Program of Excellence this year and gain valuable insights into the development of our up-and-coming athletes,” said senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations Scott Salmond (Creston, BC). “The athletes will gain experience in the operations of our program ahead of the 2024 U17 World Challenge, the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the highly anticipated 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.”

Forty-two players - four goaltenders, 13 defencemen and 25 forwards – have been invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase, July 28 to Aug. 3 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, and south of the border in Plymouth, Michigan.

The camp roster features 38 players who have been selected in the NHL Draft, including 17 first-round picks: Colby Barlow (WPG), Cole Beaudoin (UHC), Oliver Bonk (PHI), Berkly Catton (SEA), Easton Cowan (TOR), Sam Dickinson (SJS), Tij Iginla (UHC), Cayden Lindstrom (CBJ), Jett Luchanko (PHI), Tanner Molendyk (NSH), Bradly Nadeau (CAR), Zayne Parekh (CGY), Calum Ritchie (COL), Beckett Sennecke (ANA), Matthew Wood (NSH), Brayden Yager (PIT) and Carter Yakemchuk (OTT).

The player selection process was led by Salmond and the management group, which includes Peter Anholt (Naicam, SK/Lethbridge, WHL) and Brent Seabrook (Tsawwassen, BC) with assistance from senior manager of hockey operations Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON). Head coach Dave Cameron (Kinkora, PE/Ottawa, OHL) and assistant coaches Sylvain Favreau (Orleans, ON/Drummondville, QMJHL), Mike Johnston (Dartmouth, NS/Portland, WHL) and Chris Lazary (Toronto, ON/Saginaw, OHL) were also involved in the process.

As part of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp, 41 players – four goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 25 forwards – have been invited to compete to represent Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, scheduled for Aug. 5-10 in Edmonton, Alberta. The selection camp, set for July 27-30 at the WinSport Event Centre in Calgary, will include a pair of Red-Black games on July 29-30. The roster includes five players who won gold at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship (Desnoyers, Hamilton, Ivankovic, McKenna, Schaefer).

Head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB) led the player selection process with assistance from Salmond. U18 Program of Excellence management group lead Dave Brown (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON/Erie, OHL), head coach Kris Mallette (Kelowna, BC/Kelowna, WHL) and assistant coaches Gordie Dwyer (Dalhousie, NB/Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL) and Ryan Oulahen (Newmarket, ON/North Bay, OHL) also provided input.

Eighty players – eight goaltenders, 24 defencemen and 48 forwards – will take the ice at Joshua’s Creek Arenas in Oakville, Ontario as part of Canada’s national under-17 development camp, set to take place July 18-24. All 80 players have been drafted by Canadian Hockey League teams (39 from the OHL, 23 from the WHL and 18 from the QMJHL), while 17 represented Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Beites, Chartrand, Croskery, Di Iorio, Edwards, Ellsworth, Esler, Lawrence, Lin, O’Donnell, Preston, Liam Ruck, Markus Ruck, Rudolph, Valentini, Verhoeff, Wassilyn).

The player selection process was led by Bonora, with assistance from regional scouts Pierre Cholette (Quebec), Rob Simpson (Ontario), Darren Sutherland (Atlantic) and Darrell Woodley (Ontario), as well as Member representatives. Players will continue to be evaluated through the beginning of the 2024-25 season in preparation for the 2024 U17 World Challenge, scheduled for Nov. 1-9 in Sarnia, Ontario.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s National Junior Team in its attempt to reclaim gold on home ice at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario.

Dave Cameron (Kinkora, PE/Ottawa, OHL) returns to take the reins as head coach after leading Canada to a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. He will be joined by assistant coaches Sylvain Favreau (Orleans, ON/Drummondville, QMJHL), Mike Johnston (Dartmouth, NS/Portland, WHL) and Chris Lazary (Toronto, ON/Saginaw, OHL), as well as goaltending consultant Justin Pogge (Penticton, BC) and video coach James Emery (Calgary, AB).

In addition, Peter Anholt (Naicam, SK/Lethbridge, WHL) will return as the U20 lead for the Program of Excellence management group, serving alongside three-time Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medallist Brent Seabrook (Tsawwassen, BC), who returns to the National Junior Team for the second-straight year. Anholt and Seabrook helped select the staff alongside Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, and Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), senior manager of hockey operations.

“Dave has won two gold medals at the World Juniors and has proven to be an excellent leader of Canada’s National Junior Team, and we are excited to have him return to coach our team as we look to reclaim gold in the nation’s capital this year. We are also fortunate to round out our coaching staff with Sylvain, Mike, Chris, Justin and James, as all seven will benefit our team with their extensive CHL and international experience,” Salmond said. “We are also fortunate to work with Peter and Brent again, as they have helped assemble a world-class staff and will be key factors in building a highly skilled team that fans in Ottawa and across the country will be proud to cheer for this holiday season.”

Cameron has served as head coach of the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the past three seasons (2021-24), leading the team to three-straight playoff appearances and winning OHL and Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Coach of the Year awards in 2022-23. He previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Calgary Flames (2016-18) and five seasons with the Ottawa Senators (2011-16) as head coach and assistant, and was the head coach and GM of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (1997-99) and Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (2000-04, 2009-10). Cameron was also an assistant with the St. John’s Maple Leafs (1999-2000) and head coach of the Binghamton Senators (2004-07) of the American Hockey League (AHL). Internationally, he has won four medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship, including silver and gold as head coach in 2011 and 2022, respectively, and gold and silver as an assistant in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Cameron also won gold medals as an assistant coach at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and as head coach at the 2004 Junior World Cup.

Favreau recently completed his first season as head coach of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) after six seasons as head coach (2021-23) and assistant coach (2017-21) with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads. This season, he led the Voltigeurs to a QMJHL championship and a spot at the Memorial Cup after finishing the regular season atop the Western Conference. Prior to making the jump to the QMJHL, he served as both an assistant (2009-11) and head coach (2011-15) of the Gloucester Rangers of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), and was head coach and director of hockey operations for the CCHL’s Cumberland Grads for two seasons (2015-17). Favreau won a gold medal as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and was an assistant with Canada Black and head coach of Canada White at the 2018 and 2019 U17 World Challenge, respectively.

Johnston has been senior vice-president, general manager and head coach of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for 13 seasons (2009-14, 2016-24), winning the U.S. Division Executive of the Year and Coach of the Year awards this season. He also became the 11th head coach in WHL history to win 500 games, and has led the Winterhawks to seven-consecutive 40-win seasons. Johnston has also served as an assistant (1999-2003) and associate coach (2003-04) with the Vancouver Canucks, an associate with the Los Angeles Kings (2005-08) and head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins (2014-16). He also coached Canada’s National Men’s Team from 1994-99, winning two gold medals (1997, 2007), two silver (1996, 2008) and one bronze (1995) at the IIHF World Championship. Johnston also won gold at three IIHF World Junior Championships (1994, 1995, 1996) as an assistant coach, was an assistant at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and head coach at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championship, and won the Spengler Cup in 1993.

Lazary has served as head coach of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit for the past five seasons (2018-24) after parts of three seasons (2016-18) as an associate coach with Saginaw and two seasons (2014-16) as an assistant with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting. He led the Spirit to a Memorial Cup championship as the host team this season, as well as back-to-back West Division titles (2018-19, 2019-20). Prior to his CHL coaching career, he spent two seasons (2010-12) as an assistant coach with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and one season (2012-13) as an assistant with York University. Lazary was also named head coach of Canada Red for the 2020 U17 World Challenge, which was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship includes:

• Athletic therapists Kevin Elliott (Charlottetown, PE) and Andy Brown (Owen Sound, ON/Owen Sound, OHL)
• Team physician Dr. R.J. MacKenzie (Albert Bridge, NS/Cape Breton, QMJHL)
• Equipment managers Chris Cook (Ottawa, ON/Brantford, OHL) and Clayton Johns (Toronto, ON/Portland, WHL)
• Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ennismore, ON/Ottawa, OHL)
• Mental performance consultant Luke Madill (Kirkland, QC)
• Senior coordinator of hockey operations Jacob Grison (Lion’s Head, ON)
• Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, ON)
• Coordinator of hockey operations Cassidy Wait (North Vancouver, BC) – camp staff
• Hockey operations student Jared Power (Calgary, AB) – camp staff

“The coaching and support staffs that will lead Canada’s National Junior Team is second to none, and we know this group will do everything it can to help our team be successful in Ottawa in December and January,” Anholt said. “I know all members of our staffs are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a special event in Canada, and we look forward to building a roster that wears the Maple Leaf with pride on and off the ice as Canadians across the country cheer us on.”

Canada’s National Junior Team will gather at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, for a four-day training camp, July 28-31, which includes practices, a Red-White game on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and a game against Sweden on July 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. Tickets for the games in Windsor can be purchased at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets starting July 5, and are available for $30 plus fees per game or $45 plus fees for a two-game package. 

The team will also travel to Plymouth, Michigan, to participate in the World Junior Summer Showcase, Aug. 1-3; it will take on Finland on Aug. 2 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT and the United States on Aug. 3 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

OAKVILLE, Ontario – The Collingwood Blues captured the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, with a 1-0 shutout of the Melfort Mustangs on Sunday. 

It was a night of redemption for the Blues, who were knocked out of the 2023 Centennial Cup in the quarterfinals, but returned to go undefeated at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. With the win, the Blues became the first Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) team to win Canada’s National Junior A Championship since the Cobourg Cougars in 2017, and the first OJHL champions to win the national title since the Aurora Tigers in 2007 (Cobourg was the host team).

The first period had no scoring, with Collingwood holding a 13-4 edge in shots. The deadlock continued until the 4:01 mark of the second period, when Jack Silverman (Toronto, ON) tipped a shot past Melfort goaltender James Venne (Saskatoon, SK) on the power play to give his team a 1-0 lead.

“I was just trying to stay calm. The goal came halfway through the game and we still had a long way to go,” Silverman said. “We had been playing well and we got the bounce that was coming to us, I was in the right spot and Robbie [Jack Robertson] put a perfect shot right on my stick and I was happy to tip it home. The amount of people around the rink cheering us on, it’s really the best feeling in the world to have the best fans in this league.”

Goaltending would be the story for the rest of the game as both netminders would turn aside every shot that came their way. Noah Pak (Oakville, ON) turned aside all 23 shots he faced on the way to Collingwood’s first national title.

“All the work that everyone puts in—we worked so hard for this. To get it done means the world,” said head coach Andrew Campoli. “I’ll be honest, it hurt leaving last time, and [coming into this year’s tournament] we had some unfinished business and the job is done.”

Full game stats and story are available HERE.

Collingwood was undefeated through the preliminary round to win Group A with a perfect 4-0 record. The Blues posted wins over the Calgary Canucks (5-4), Greater Sudbury Cubs (10-2), Collège Français de Longueuil (8-0), Navan Grads (3-2) before a 5-2 semifinal win over the Miramichi Timberwolves.

Before the game, the tournament award winners were announced:

• Most Valuable Player: Julien Gervais (Windsor, ON) – Calgary Canucks
• Best Forward: Dalton Andrew (Brandon, MB) – Winkler Flyers
• Best Defender: Leith Olafson (Wasa, BC) – Melfort Mustangs
• Best Goaltender: Jaeden Nelson (Ottawa, ON) – Navan Grads
• Most Sportsmanlike Player: Riley Hearn (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks

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

From 117 teams down to two, either the Collingwood Blues or the Melfort Mustangs will be lifting the Centennial Cup.

As we prepare to crown Canada’s national Junior A champions, let’s look back at the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, by the numbers.

3 – Shutouts through the semifinals; Collingwood’s Noak Pak (against Longueuil), Winkler’s Malachi Klassen (against Oakville) and Greater Sudbury’s Noah Beaulne (against Longueuil) all earned clean sheets.

7 – Days between when the Miramichi Timberwolves won the MHL championship to qualify for the Centennial Cup and their first game of the tournament.

16 – Officials who worked the Centennial Cup. The crew had a wide representation from across the country, from Edmonton, Alberta, to Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia.

29 – Shootout attempts by players; the Melfort Mustangs, Calgary Canucks and Miramichi Timberwolves each earned shootout victories in the preliminary round, with none going past the required five rounds.

40 – Days between the conclusion of the host Oakville Blades’ playoff run and their first game of the tournament, the longest break of any competing team (the Calgary Canucks had the second-longest at 22 days).

49 – Power play goals scored through the semifinals. Spencer Young and Cody Pisarczyk lead the tournament with three power play goals each.

141 – Media interviews conducted through the semifinals. This includes broadcast interviews for the HockeyCanada.ca livestream, accredited media from the CJHL and Hockey Canada feature stories.

120 – Volunteers to help the tournament run behind the scenes, including off-ice officials, team services and transportation.

121 – Canadians who attended their first hockey game through the Tim Hortons Families First Faceoff Initative. The families were treated to Hockey Canada swag and centre-ice tickets, and enjoyed Tim Hortons after the game.

150 – Members of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies who attended the preliminary-round game between the Sioux Lookout Bombers and Melfort Mustangs in honour of Children and Youth in Care Day, celebrated on May 14.

167 – Goals scored through the semifinals. Miramichi Timberwolves’ Elliot Robert had seven goals in six games for the most goals by one player.

377 – Accreditations issued for team personnel.

678 – Pucks used through the semifinals.

1,455 – Minutes of hockey played through the semifinals. Only three games went beyond 60 minutes – Melfort vs. Winkler, Calgary vs. Navan and Miramichi vs. Winkler all required shootouts to decide a winner.

1,440 – Bottles of Gatorade consumed by the 10 teams.

1,497 – Students and staff that cheered on teams during the five school-day games.

9,204 – Kilometres travelled by all teams to Oakville (according to Google Maps). The shortest distance travelled was by the Collingwood Blues, who are 124.6 km away, while the Calgary Canucks travelled 2700.5 km to compete.

39,423 – Photos taken by Hockey Canada Images photographers Heather Pollock and Lori Bolliger through the semifinals. They included on-ice action, player headshots, behind-the-scenes exclusives and partner activations.

One year ago, Julian Molinaro watched every second of the Centennial Cup from the bench.

In fact, the goaltender didn’t see the ice at all in the Collingwood Blues’ run to the quarterfinals of Canada’s National Junior A Championship, serving as backup as Noah Pak played every second of the Blues’ 24 postseason games.

But this season, it’s a much different story.

One thing has remained the same, though—Molinaro is back at the national championship. He’s just got a much more active role, stopping pucks for the Calgary Canucks as they chase a national title.

And since the hockey gods work in mysterious ways, it was fitting that when Molinaro and the Canucks hit the ice for their first game on May 9, it was Pak standing in the crease at the other end.

Neither goaltender will be adding that game to their personal highlight reel—Molinaro allowed five goals on 26 shots, while Pak surrendered four for just the sixth time in 62 starts as the Canucks dropped a 5-4 decision in a game dominated by special teams.

“Before [the game], I walked into the rink and I saw the Collingwood equipment manager, Richard Judges. So it was kind of crazy,” Molinaro says of seeing familiar faces. “Once I got on the ice, it was so weird playing against Noah and [Mark] McIntosh, [Spencer] Young, all those guys. Obviously, I didn't have my best [game]. Probably one of my worst games of the year, but it's all right. We'll see them again, hopefully.”

When the 2022-23 season ended for Collingwood with its 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Jr. Senators in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, so too did Molinaro’s time as a Blue. He was terrific as a backup, fashioning a 2.33 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 20 appearances, but with Pak set to return for a final Junior A season, Molinaro was ready for a change, and an opportunity to be a starter.

Enter Canucks head coach and general manager Brad Moran, who officially acquired the goaltender on July 11.

“I know he didn't play in the playoffs, but he had been through the experience,” Moran says of Molinaro’s time in Collingwood, “and to come through a winning team in a playoffs where you don't play, but have your teammates, coaches and everyone else commending you for the attitude [and] the effort was something that definitely opened our eyes.”

The Mississauga, Ontario, native was even better than advertised, leading all Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) puck-stoppers with 27 wins and six shutouts, and finishing third with a 2.60 GAA and .916 save percentage.

He then won 12 of his 15 postseason starts with terrific numbers (2.56 GAA, .908 SV%), backstopping the Canucks to their first AJHL championship since 1999 and their first trip to the Centennial Cup since they won their lone national title in 1995.

“Deep down I knew I could [be a starter], but you don't actually know until you do it,” Molinaro says. “And once I got the chance and the opportunity to run with things and Brad gave me the ball, I think I really got in the groove and it helped me a lot. It's a great feeling, knowing you have the whole staff and team behind you.”

“He came in, he was the top goalie in our league this year in my mind, and gave us a chance to win every night,” Moran adds. “He pushed our guys on and off the ice, and that's what we want.”

Two days after the Canucks finished their sweep of the Whitecourt Wolverines to win the AJHL title, Molinaro officially committed to Northern Michigan University, where he’ll join the Wildcats this fall.

It’s been nothing but success for the 20-year-old, and no one is happier for him than his former partner.

“He's got an unreal work ethic, one of the hardest working guys I know,” Pak says. “I'm super happy for him and getting his commitment and his success this year… couldn't be happier for him.”

But there’s one more piece of the puzzle that makes this homecoming even more special for Molinaro.

He and his father, Jason, were fixtures at Blades games as Julian grew up, and when the Canucks stepped onto the ice at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex for the first time, Molinaro knew just where to look.

“I almost started crying, because my dad was in the corner where we grew up watching Blades games,” he says. “I've been at this rink since I was seven years old watching the Blades every Friday night, and me and my dad always sat in the same corner, and now to be on the ice and him to be in that corner, I think it's unbelievable. It's really full circle.”

Now all that’s left is the Hollywood ending. The Canucks face the Winkler Flyers in a Friday quarterfinal, with a semifinal date with the Melfort Mustangs awaiting the winner.

This year’s playoffs are one for the record books for the Miramichi Timberwolves, and now the focus turns to an opportunity to compete for a national title at the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

When the postseason began, the Timberwolves were in the middle of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) standings, fourth with a 31-16-2 record, scoring the fifth-most goals (211), allowing the fourth-most goals against (182). Special teams were a bright spot for Miramichi, boasting an 82.1% success rate on the penalty kill.

However, when it was time for the playoffs, the Timberwolves kicked things into high gear. After a five-game series with the third-place West Kent Steamers, Miramichi swept the Edmundston Blizzard for a spot in the MHL final against the first-place Summerside Western Capitals.

It was a close matchup with five one-goal games, but the Timberwolves got the job done in six games to win the first MHL championship in their 24th season and advance to the Centennial Cup for the first time.

Ludovic Dufort was a leader on offence, registering 46 goals and 82 points during the regular season. The 21-year-old added three goals and 16 points during the playoffs.

Goaltender Jack Flanagan came off the bench during Game 3 against the Steamers and went on an 11-2 run, posting a 2.86 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The 19-year-old earned playoff MVP honours for his efforts.

The Timberwolves also have talent behind the bench. Kory Baker played 15 years of pro hockey in the ECHL, Sweden, Denmark and Finland before returning home to Miramichi to become head coach at the start of the 2022-23 season.

It’s been over 20 years since an Atlantic team has won Canada’s National Junior A Championship. The Halifax Oland Exports were the last national titlists, winning on home ice in 2002.

HOW THEY GOT TO OAKVILLE

Maritime Junior Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated West Kent Steamers 4-1 (3-5, 5-1, 2-1, 5-4, 4-3 OT)
Semifinal: defeated Edmundston Blizzard 4-0 (3-2, 5-4, 4-3 2OT, 4-2)
Final: defeated Summerside Western Capitals 4-2 (5-6 2OT, 5-1, 4-3, 4-3, 1-2 2OT, 5-4)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 31-16-2 (4th in MHL)
Goals for: 211 (5th in MHL)
Goals against: 182 (4th in MHL)
Power play: 43 for 209 (20.6% – 7th in MHL)
Penalty killing: 170 of 207 (82.1% – 3rd in MHL)
Longest winning streak: 7 (Sept. 27-Oct. 22)

Top 3 scorers:
• Ludovic Dufort – 46G 36A 82P (3rd in MHL)
• Hugo Audette – 14G 46A 60P (18th in MHL)
• Jeremy Duhamel – 23G 35A 58P (20th in MHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-3
Goals for: 59
Goals against: 44
Power play: 11 for 52 (21.2%)
Penalty killing: 42 of 53 (79.2%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Zachael Turgeon – 9G 14A 23P
• David Doucet – 13G 7A 20P
• Hugo Audette – 3G 17A 20P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Jeremy Duhamel – Nipissing University (2024-25)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Oct. 2 – not ranked
Oct. 9 – 16th
Oct. 16 – 8th
Oct. 23 – 8th
Oct. 30 – 9th
Nov. 6 – 14th
Nov. 13 – 19th
Nov. 20 – not ranked
Nov. 27 – Honourable Mention
Dec. 4 – not ranked
Dec. 11 – not ranked
Dec. 18 – not ranked
Jan. 8 – not ranked
Jan. 15 – not ranked
Jan. 22 – not ranked
Jan. 29 – not ranked
Feb. 5 – not ranked
Feb. 12 – not ranked
Feb. 19 – not ranked
Feb. 26 – not ranked
March 4 – not ranked
March 11 – 11th