The Under-16 B.C. Cup will be rich with Prince George talent.
At the tournament, April 28 to May 1 in Kamloops, 10 P.G. players will be in uniform. They were chosen to compete in the showcase event, part of B.C. Hockey's high performance program, after standout performances at a recent zone camp.
The locals who will participate in the B.C. Cup are Jeremy Matte, Liam Blackburn, Scott Cullen, Zachary Schlitt, Lucas Ens, Donovan Law, Thane Anderson, Mathieu Longhurst, Braiden Epp and Gabe Mason.
For the jamboree-style tournament, Matte and Blackburn will be members of the Bruins. Cullen will skate for the Wild, Schlitt and Ens will be part of a Canucks team led by Prince George coaches Brad Crossan and Chris Rowland, Law will do his work for the Stars, Anderson will play for the Thrashers, Longhurst will wear a Flyers jersey, Epp will be part of the Sabres and Mason will go on the attack for the Predators.
A total of 200 players, divided among 10 teams, received B.C. Cup invitations. Of those 200, 68 will advance to a provincial camp, June 29 to July 4 in Penticton. Ultimately, 20 players will be selected to Team B.C. for the Western Branch Challenge, scheduled for late October/early November. The Western Branch Challenge is a tournament featuring elite players from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Last year's Under-16 B.C. Cup was held in Prince George and helped form the team that won gold at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax. Local defenceman Josh Connolly was part of that club, as was forward Brett Harris of 100 Mile House. Both players were members of the 2010-11 Cariboo Cougars.
