35th Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament begins Monday at WEM

It’s one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world for nine- and ten-year-old hockey players. The Brick Invitational is back in Edmonton and celebrating its 35th anniversary.

With the Oilers ending their playoff run last week, the kids will have a chance of their own to win top honours, in their own tournament.

“I think of Game 7 [of the playoffs], I think we got 7 games as well. I think about the games and the teams, they’re all really good,” said Douglas Deschamps, Team Brick Alberta player.

For generations, Canadian kids have dreamed of playing and winning the Stanley Cup. But before you can get to the big stage there’s a process.

One of those big steps for many players is playing in the Brick Invitational Tournament which has hosted many players that have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.

“You go down to West Edmonton Mall where they have all the names of the players that have all gone through here and it’s the who’s who of the stars in the NHL,” said Craig MacTavish / Stanley Cup Champion & Oilers Alumni.

The tournament is a sign of what hockey means in Edmonton. Organizers say hockey is a year-round sport in Edmonton and it’s a nice follow-up every year after the NHL playoffs.

“Obviously the economic side of things with the hotels and the food and the shopping, I think it does a really good job. And it’s a nice follow-up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” explained Jason Nicholetts, the general manager of The Brick Team.

The event runs from July 1st to July 7th and plays host to some of the best minor teams in North America.

Although players have found success in the NHL after playing in the tournament, many of these children only have one thing on their minds.

“I just wanna win the tournament and play in other tournaments I can win.”

Tournament teams

• Wigston Conference
  • BC Junior Canucks
  • Boston Junior Bruins
  • Team Brick Alberta
  • Toronto Pro Hockey
  • Manitoba Junior Ice
  • Team Pennsylvania
  • Minnesota Blades
• Styles Conference
  • Western Selects
  • Connecticut Junior Rangers
  • CCM Chicago
  • Detroit Junior Redwings
  • Montreal Canadiens
  • Saskatchewan Junior Pats
  • Toronto Bulldogs