Challenge Cup (ice hockey)

The Challenge Cup International AAA Championship Showcase (colloquially known as the Challenge Cup or simply The Cup) is an international ice hockey tournament held annually in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia for ice hockey teams from around the world. Ages range from Novice Minor (age 9) to Midget Major (age 18) for both girls and boys and the tournament is traditionally held on the weekend of the Canadian holiday Victoria Day.[2]

For the 1979 series between the Soviet Union and National Hockey League players, see 1979 Challenge Cup (ice hockey). For the ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom, see Challenge Cup (UK ice hockey).
1992 - Present Challenge Cup AAA International Showcase
Tournament details
Host country Canada
DatesMay 21–24, 2010
Teams250[1]
Venue(s)Burnaby 8Rinks
Burnaby Winter Club
Ice Sports North Shore
UBC Thunderbird Arena
Richmond Ice Center
Great Pacific Forum, and
Langley Twin Rinks (in Burnaby
Vancouver
North Vancouver (district)
Richmond
Delta
Langley host cities)
Tournament statistics
Attendance1,250 (per game average)

Within each age level, teams are divided into three divisions: A, B, and C. During the exhibition round and round-robin play, teams play games with opponents within their own division. Upon completion of round-robin play, teams enter the elimination round. Teams play compete within their own divisions and later play teams in other divisions. Teams with the most wins are considered tournament winners. Points are distributed in the following order: 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime win, 1 point for an overtime loss, and 0 points for a regulation loss.[3] Ties are decided in this order: 1) Most points 2) Team with the greatest number of wins 3) Games against team with equal record 4) Penalty minute differential 5) Basic goal differential GF (Goals For) – GA (Goals Against) 6) Total goal differential GF-GA/GF 7) Team with the fewest penalty minutes[3]

History

First held in 1992 as a relatively obscure tournament, the Challenge Cup has grown in prestige, particularly in the local community, particularly the Lower Mainland where the tournament ranks as one of the most significant events on the hockey calendar. Since its opening ceremonies on May 22, 1992, and the first finals on May 24, 1992,[4] the tournament has grown to over 250 expected teams in 2010,[5] another increase from previous years. In 2008 and 2009, the tournament hosted 186 teams, and 220 teams respectively.[6] Among the divisions with the most teams are Bantam Minor (24 teams), Pee-Wee minor (24 teams), and Atom Major (26 teams). In 2007, there were even fewer teams, at 161.[7] The opening ceremonies are always kicked off with a speech from the Challenge Cup's celebrity guest Walter Gretzky.

Walter Gretzky's appearances

Walter Gretzky, the prestigious father of NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky, makes an annual appearance at the tournament. He is involved in the opening ceremonies each year, to give the opening speech to all teams and participants involved, followed by an autograph session held in the upper lobby. Walter also actively participates in helping some of the younger players, in making pre-game appearances to the teams.[8]

Other celebrity guest appearances

There have not been many other celebrity guests that have made their appearances to the tournament in the past years, except Walter Gretzky, of course. In the past few years, there have been two appearances by Garry Unger in 2008, and returned again in 2009.[9] Gary played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1967 until 1983. Unger holds the second longest consecutive games streak in NHL history, with 914 consecutive games played during the regular season between February 24, 1968 and December 21, 1979. Doug Jarvis holds the current record at 964 consecutive games. Unger ended up playing 1105 career NHL games, scoring 413 goals and 391 assists for 804 points, and he also registered 1075 career penalty minutes.[10]

Tournament statistics

2010 champions

Note that as a result of the large number of teams in the 2010 tournament, some age levels played in two different divisions. A higher numbered division does not represent a more skilled team.

Age Level Winner (Team Name) Locale Runner Up (Team Name) Locale Final Score
Midget Major Okanagan Coyote Selects  British Columbia New Western Bruins  Canada 5-2
Midget Minor Information Not Available N/A Information Not Available N/A N/A
Bantam Major Vancouver Millionaires  British Columbia Pursuit of Excellence  British Columbia 2-1 OT
Bantam Minor Calgary Jr. Flames (Division 1) and Red Deer Rustlers (Division 2)  Alberta Saskatoon Junior Blades (Division 1) and Southern Alberta Selects (Division 2)  Saskatchewan and  Alberta 4-3 OT (Division 1) and 3-0 (Division 2)
Peewee Major Information Not Available N/A Information Not Available N/A N/A
Peewee Minor Vancouver Selects  British Columbia Vancouver Millionaires  British Columbia 4-3 OT
Atom Major Can West Vipers (Division 1) and Colorado Thunderbirds (Division 2)  British Columbia and  Colorado Vancouver Selects (Division 1) and Steveston Sharks (Division 2)  British Columbia 6-2 (Division 1) and 2-1 OT (Division 2)
Atom Minor Information Not Available N/A Information Not Available N/A N/A
Novice Major BC Bears(Division 1) and Wolverine X-MEN (Division 2)  British Columbia and  Alberta Edmonton Jr. Oilers (Division 1) and Colorado Thunderbirds (Division 2)  Alberta and  Colorado 6-4 (Division 1) and 9-0 (Division 2)
Novice Minor Kelowna All-Stars  British Columbia BC Bears  British Columbia 2-1
Midget Girls Calgary Rocky Mountain Fury  Alberta Fraser Valley Phantoms  British Columbia 6-3
Bantam Girls Pacific Storm  British Columbia Island Stars  British Columbia 4-2
Peewee Girls West Coast Flyers  British Columbia BC Rockets  British Columbia 2-0

2010 scoring leaders
Age Level Player Name Team Name Points Goals Assists
Midget Major Madison Dias Okanagan Coyote Selects 12 3 9
Midget Minor Information Not Available N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bantam Major Adam Erne Vancouver Millionaires 15 8 7
Bantam Minor Tyler Coulter Central Alberta Rage 13 7 6
Peewee Major Tyler Welsh Ice Dogs 14 9 5
Peewee Minor Kyle Uy Vancouver Junior Giants 8 6 2
Atom Major Brendon Marfleat Young Guns 12 6 6
Atom Minor Cam Lamberton Pacific Titans 9 8 1
Novice Major Dylan Wilson Tri-City Penguins 12 6 6
Novice Minor Ozzy Wiesblatt Kelowna All-Stars 11 7 4
Peewee Girls Meghan Kraus and Elizabeth "Libby" Riedl Vancouver Island Stars and Westcoast Flyers 4 (Both) 1 3
Bantam Girls Rachel Piitz Calgary Rocky Mountain Storm 7 6 1
Midget Girls S. Laurin Calgary Rocky Mountain Fury 9 6 3

2009 champions
Age Level Winner (Team Name) Locale Runner Up (Team Name) Locale Final Score
Midget Major U18 Alberta Wolverines  Alberta U18 Peace Country Selects  British Columbia 6-0
Midget Minor Western Alberta Wolverines  Alberta South Surrey Junior Eagles  British Columbia 6-5 OT
Bantam Major Western 94 Sabers  Canada West Coast Wings United States 4-1
Bantam Minor Alberta Predators  Alberta Vancouver Selects  British Columbia 3-0
Peewee Major Vancouver Selects  British Columbia BC Bruins  British Columbia 5-1
Peewee Minor Calgary Jr. Dinos  Alberta Seattle Starz Washington 3-2 2OT
Atom Major Vancouver Selects  British Columbia Alberta Wolverines  Alberta 2-0
Atom Minor Prince George Ice Sharks  British Columbia Vancouver Selects  British Columbia 2-1
Novice Major Edge Mountaneers  British Columbia Young Guns  Alberta 5-4 OT
Novice Minor Vancouver Bulldogs  British Columbia Can West Vipers  British Columbia 8-3
Midget Girls Pursuit Of Excellence  British Columbia Fraser Valley Falcons  British Columbia 2-1 OT
Bantam Girls Pacific Storm  British Columbia Island Heat  British Columbia 3-0
Peewee Girls BC Rockets  British Columbia NAA PeeWee Girls AAA  Alberta 3-2 OT

2009 scoring leaders
Age Level Player Name Team Name Points Goals Assists
Midget Major Madison Dias Okanagan Desert Dogs 13 6 8
Midget Minor Information Not Available N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bantam Major Anthony Olguin Pikes Peak Miners 13 9 4
Bantam Minor Morgan Klimchuk Calgary Jr. Flames 15 8 7
Peewee Major Tanner MacMaster Calgary Jr. Flames 21 7 14
Peewee Minor Mathew Barzal Valley Eagles 17 9 8
Atom Major Jake Kryski 98 Vancouver Selects 14 9 5
Atom Minor Ocean Wiesblatt Cougar Selects 18 7 11
Novice Major Bradley Braich Abbotsford Bulldogs 18 12 6
Novice Minor Henrik Rybinski Vancouver Bulldogs 20 7 13

Skills competition

Winners are chosen and based on four categories. These events seem to serve at least two purposes: the first is to establish bragging rights between athletes for possessing a particular skill needed to succeed in the game, and the second is to increase revenue for those that sponsor the event.[11] Skills contests are often held during an All-star break, but in this tournament, they are held as a part of a mid-tournament break, usually during the second day of competition, and usually the players get the entire afternoon off.[12][13]

Fastest skater

Players skate two laps, one forward and one backward. A pivot is made between center ice and the blue line after finishing one lap. The player with the fastest recorded time wins.

Hardest shot

The speed of the player's shot (players take two shots) on net is recorded with a radar gun. The shot must hit the net to count. The fastest shot wins. If there is a radar gun malfunction, or if a radar gun is unavailable, a Most Accurate Shot competition will take place in lieu of the Hardest Shot. Players will be required to hit indicated targets in a limited amount of time.

Best puck handler

Players will skate with a puck through an indicated route, most likely marked with cones. Players must complete the entire course with the puck, and having not lost any control whatsoever during their routine. The player with the fastest recorded time wins.

Showdown

A player is required to take three breakaways in less than thirty seconds. Distances to the goal will vary between age groups. Saves and goals are recorded for each shooter and goalie. The goalie with the most saves wins, and the shooter with the most goals scored in the fastest recorded time wins. If necessary, goalies will perform a series of timed movement exercises to determine which goalie advances to the final round if their saves count is equal after the Round-Robin series.

Notes
  1. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?leagueID=0&clientID=435&stype=1&page=31505
  2. http://www.challengecup.com/
  3. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/rules.cfm?leagueID=2982&clientID=435
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2009-01-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientid=435&leagueid=0&page=31505
  6. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?leagueID=0&clientID=435&stype=1&page=24873
  7. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?leagueID=0&clientID=435&stype=1&page=17540
  8. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientid=435&leagueid=0&page=44576
  9. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/newsletter.cfm?leagueID=0&clientID=435&stype=1&page=26612
  10. Garry Unger
  11. Skills competitions
  12. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/custom_page.cfm?leagueID=0&clientID=435&pageID=794
  13. http://www.challengecup.com/leagues/custom_page.cfm?leagueID=8003&clientID=435&pageID=794
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References
Preceded by
2010 Challenge Cup		 2011 Challenge Cup
19th Annual		 Succeeded by
2012 Challenge Cup
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