The Canucks are heading to Oakville, Ontario to participate in the 2024 Centennial Cup. This is the first time they will be competing in the tournament since winning their lone Centennial Cup back in 1995. Head coach Brad Moran is confident that the team is ready for the upcoming games. “They have put in some hard weeks here, and I think they are ready to get going and play real games again,” said Moran. In the Preliminary round, the Canucks will be competing in group A, facing off against the Collingwood Blues, Collège Français de Longueuil, Greater Sudbury Cubs, and the Navan Grads. “We’ve been pushing hard (at practice) and away from the rink we’ve just been resting our minds, trying not to overthink about it, and not try to psych ourselves out,” said Assistant Captain Ethan Casper. He also expressed the team’s excitement about the upcoming trip, saying, “It’s been a fun year and we’re thrilled to wrap it up in a big way.’”
Key Players, Playoffs:
Goals: Ty Hipkin, Gavin Garland – 9G
Assists: Jack Plandowski – 12A
Points: Ty Hipkin, Gavin Garland, Julien Gervais – 19P
Goaltending: Julian Molinaro – 12 – 3, 0.908 SV%, 2.56 GAA, 1 SO
2024 Centennial Cup Schedule:
Thursday, May 9 vs Collingwood Blues, Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)
On the opening day of the tournament, the Canucks are scheduled to play against the Collingwood Blues from the Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Blues had an impressive 49-6-1 season and won their second consecutive league title. After being eliminated in the Quarterfinals last season, they are determined to do better this year at the Centennial Cup. Calgary Goaltender Julian Molinaro is ready to play against his former team and is up to the task. “They’re a good team. We know what they bring to the table, so we got to play our game,” said Molinaro, “It’s going to be a challenge, but I think we can play our game.”
Key Players, Playoffs:
Goals: Spencer Young – 12G
Assists: Spencer Young – 18A
Points: Spencer Young – 30P
Goaltending: Noah Pak – 16-3, 0.939 SV%, 1.74 GAA, 4 SO
Saturday, May 11 vs Collège Français de Longueuil, Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA du Québec (LHJQ)
The Canucks are scheduled to play against the Collège Français de Longueuil in their second matchup at the Centennial Cup. Longueuil, a team that was in the middle of the pack during the season, went on a nine-game winning streak towards the end of the season and finished fourth in the league with a 30-14-4 record. After sweeping the opening round and winning two game-sevens, Longueuil secured their tenth league title with a 12-6 record. This will be the third time the team will compete in the national championships, with previous appearances in 1990 and 2022.
Key Players, Playoffs:
Goals: Brandon Boudreau – 10G
Assists: Jean-Thomas Turp-Tremblay – 12A
Points: Simon Laramée – 19P
Goaltending: Mathis Lacroix-Goulet – 12-6, 0.924 SV%, 2.37 GAA, 3 SO
Mon, May 13 vs Greater Sudbury Cubs, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL)
The Cubs finished second in the NOJHL with a record of 43-12-3 and will be the third opponent for the Calgary Canucks. In the playoffs, the Cubs had a fantastic 12-4 run and dominated their opponents in the finals with a 4-1 series win, ultimately securing their third league title. This will be their first title win since 2008. While Sudbury hosted the National Championship back in 1991, this will be the first appearance for this version of the Cubs, who were founded in 2000.
Key Players, Playoffs:
Goals: Nolan Newton, Hudson Chitaroni – 12G
Assists: Mason Chitaroni – 12A
Points: Nolan Newton, Hudson Chitaroni – 22P
Goaltending: Noah Metivier – 11-4, 0.932 SV%, 1.89 GAA, 3 SO
Tues, May 14 vs Navan Grads, Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL)
In the final game of pool play, the Calgary Canucks will face off against the Navan Grads who finished first in the CCHL with a record of 41-3-2. The Grads went on a 12-5 playoff run winning their first league title, the victory earned them a spot in the Centennial Cup, their first representing the CCHL since joining in 1991.
Key Players, Playoffs:
Goals: Colin MacDougall – 10G
Assists: Sebbie Johnson, Colin MacDougall – 12A
Points: Colin MacDougall – 22P
Goaltending: Jaeden Nelson – 12-4, 0.932 SV%, 2.41 GAA, 2 SO
Upcoming Events:
- Thursday, May 9 @ 2 pm vs Collingwood Blues, Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)
- Watch party at the Trolley 5 Tap Room @2pm
Mackenzie Grafton
Lead, Marketing Content
Calgary Canucks Junior A Hockey Club
mgrafton@calgarycanucks.ca