TEAM ALBERTA CAPTURES UNDER-16 GOLD
Calgary, AB – Team Alberta captured Gold at the 2013 Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup with a 4-2 victory over Team BC in the final game of the tournament on Sunday, November 3rd, at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary, AB.
Regina Pats prospect Sam Steel led the way with a goal and an assist, earning Player of the Game honors for Team Alberta, who have won Gold in three of the four editions of the tournament.
“It’s unbelievable…it probably hasn’t set in yet,” said Steel, a product of Sherwood Park, AB, who was also named to the tournament All-Star team. “From start to finish, it was just a great event…It’s always good when you get to play against the best players in western Canada, and I’m just happy to be here.”
Cole Johnson, Tyler Benson and Skyler McKenzie also scored while Kale Clague chipped in two assists for Alberta, who finished the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record, including posting back-to-back wins over the defending champions from BC.
“Coming in, we knew it would be very competitive,” said Clague, a Brandon Wheat Kings prospect who was named to the tournament All-Star team alongside Steel. “Our team, there was special things we built as a group, and we became close like a family, and I think that was what separated us in the tournament.”
Caleb Fantillo had a goal and an assist and Beck Malenstyn scored for Team BC, who defeated Alberta in the gold medal game last year but fell to Alberta twice in the 2013 tournament.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner made 19 saves to claim the victory for Alberta, while Brody Willms stopped 36 of 40 shots fired his way in a losing cause for Team BC.
For more information on the 2013 Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup, CLICK HERE
