THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay under-18 Kings are off to Winnipeg later this week to compete in the four-team TELUS Cup West Regional, April 4-7.
Thunder Bay opens Thursday night at 9:10 p.m. ET as they take on the host Winnipeg Wild.
Friday’s match-up has the Kings meeting the champions of the Saskatchewan U18 AAA League, the Saskatoon Blazers at 6 p.m. ET. They are also the defending West Regional title holders.
They’ll then conclude round robin competition Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET, versus the winners of the Manitoba U18 AAA League, the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The top two teams in the standings will then vie for the regional crown Sunday, in a 3 p.m. start.
Awaiting the regional winner will be a berth to the TELUS Cup Canadian U18 AAA Championship, April 22-28, in Membertou, N.S.
All West Regional games will be streamed live online at FLOHockey.tv.
In the 40 years since the West Regional has been held, five Thunder Bay clubs have won the event and advanced to the nationals.
The Kings were victorious in 1992; 1995; 1996 and 1997 while the Current River Comets did likewise in 1985.
Advancing to the Canadian championship on each of those occasions, Thunder Bay went on to win gold in 1995 and ’97, while mining silver in 1992 and ’95.
They joined the 1983 Andrews, who won bronze, as the five local teams to medal at the nationals.
Of note, the Thunder Bay Queens captured the 2010 Esso Cup to claim the Canadian Women’s U18 National Club Championship.
TELUS CUP WEST REGIONAL
@ Winnipeg, Man. (Hockey for all Centre)
All times ET
Thursday, April 4
U18: vs. Winnipeg Wild 9:10 p.m.
Friday, April 5
U18: vs. Saskatoon Blazers 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 6
U18: vs. Brandon Wheat Kings 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 7
Final
U18: 2nd round robin vs. 1st round robin 3 p.m.
Photo credit: James Mirabelli
