TELUS Cup veterans and potential first-timers will collide in the battle for the West Region title in Virden, Man.

The field is led by the Notre Dame Hounds, five-time national champions and seven-time West titlists, who are back again after falling short in 2019, while the Thunder Bay Kings want to take the last step after losing in overtime in the regional final three years ago.

The Winnipeg Wild and host Southwest Cougars round out the four-team field, both looking for their first-ever appearance at Canada’s National Men’s U18 Club Championship.

RECENT CHAMPIONS (TELUS CUP FINISH)

2019 – Tisdale Trojans (bronze medal)
2018 – Notre Dame Hounds (gold medal)
2017 – Regina Pat Canadians (fourth place)
2016 – Saskatoon Contacts (sixth place)
2015 – Regina Pat Canadians (bronze medal)

NOTRE DAME HOUNDS
SMAAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 35-9-0 (1st in SMAAAHL)
Goals for: 232
Goals against: 118
Leading scorer: Cole Wirun (28G 41A 69P)

Playoff record: 9-2
Goals for: 47
Goals against: 27
Leading scorer: Ethan Look (6G 6A 12P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Battlefords Stars 3-1 (5-2, 3-4, 6-2, 3-2)

Semifinal: defeated Regina Pat Canadians 3-1 (2-3, 4-2, 5-2, 4-0)

Final: defeated Warman Wildcats 3-0 (4-3 OT, 5-4, 6-3)

Last national championship appearance: 2018 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 11 (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 2009, 2010, 2018)

SOUTHWEST COUGARS
HOST

Regular season record: 18-22-0 (8th in MU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 119
Goals against: 119
Leading scorer: Ashton Cuveilier (14G 26A 40P)

Playoff record: 0-3
Goals for: 4
Goals against: 13
Leading scorer: Brett Laing (0G 2A 2P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: lost to Brandon Wheat Kings 3-0 (1-5, 0-4, 3-4)

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

THUNDER BAY KINGS
HNO CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 16-6-8 (3rd in GTHL)
Goals for: 76
Goals against:52
Leading scorer: Josh Lehto (17G 14A 31P)

Playoff record: 2-0
Goals for: 16
Goals against: 2
Leading scorer: n/a

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Final: defeated Kenora Thistles 2-0 (7-1, 9-1)

Last national championship appearance: 2019 (sixth place)
Total national championship appearances: 5 (1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2019)

WINNIPEG WILD
MU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS

Regular season record: 32-5-0 (2nd in MU18AAAHL)
Goals for: 179
Goals against: 99
Leading scorer: Noah Dziver (29G 42A 71P)

Playoff record: 9-2
Goals for: 56
Goals against: 31
Leading scorer: Logan Belton (11G 9A 20P)

ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarterfinal: defeated Winnipeg Thrashers 3-0 (8-4, 2-1, 6-3)

Semifinal: defeated Eastman Selects 3-0 (4-2, 7-2, 5-2)

Final: defeated Brandon Wheat Kings 3-2 (5-6 OT, 4-5, 5-1, 4-2, 6-3)

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