The Calgary Canucks season has ended after finishing in the final four among all teams in Canada. Despite placing in the top 14 in the CJHL rankings in October, the Canucks went on to win their tenth AJHL championship. They exceeded expectations by reaching the semifinals at the 2024 Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ontario.
After losing the opening game 5-4 in a close battle against the eventual Centennial Cup-winning Collingwood Blues, the Canucks won three straight games, securing their spot in the Centennial Cup playoffs. Calgary responded with a 5-1 victory over the Collège Français de Longueuil and a narrow 3-2 win over the Greater Sudbury Cubs. In their final game of pool play, the Canucks staged a comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Navan Grads, ultimately winning 4-3 in a shootout. This placed them second in group A with a 3-1 record.
In the quarterfinals, the Canucks faced the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Canucks took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Gavin Schmidt with two seconds left in the first period. In the second period, Ty Hipkin scored a shorthanded goal to put the Canucks up 2-0. The Flyers then scored two goals to tie the game 2-2 heading into the third period. The Canucks regained the lead with a powerplay goal from Chris Kobelka, making it 3-2, followed by a goal from Matthew Paszkiewicz. The Canucks won 4-2 against Winkler and advanced to face the Melfort Mustangs in the Semifinals.
The Canucks were in a tight matchup with the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in the semifinals. The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal in the first period, but the Canucks tied the game with a goal from Ty Hipkin. The Mustangs scored again in the second period, making it 2-1, and would lock it down to secure the win. This forced the Canucks to head home and end their run at the 2024 Centennial Cup.
Centennial Cup Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: #16 Julien Gervais
Julien Gervais finished the national championships, scoring three goals and 12 points. He tied for first in points among all skaters in Oakville and finished first with nine assists.
Most Sportsmanlike: #13 Riley Hearn
Riley Hearn picked up a goal in Oakville and led his team to the semifinal appearance.
The Calgary Canucks would like to thank the Oakville Blades for hosting an incredible 2024 Centennial Cup. The volunteers, staff, organizers, and everyone involved were amazing hosts and ensured we had everything we needed to compete. We had an unforgettable time in Oakville!
Always a Canuck
The Canucks would also like to wish graduating players Riley Hearn, Ty Hipkin, Ethan Casper, Chris Kobelka, Julian Molinaro, and Julien Gervais all the best as they move on to their next adventure, the organization is so proud of everything you’ve all achieved this season and look forward to cheering you on with whatever comes next.
Mackenzie Grafton
Lead, Marketing Content
Calgary Canucks Junior A Hockey Club
mgrafton@calgarycanucks.ca
www.calgarycanucks.ca
