NR - CALGARY NORTH WINS 2014 ATB ALBERTA CUP

News Release                                                                                                                                April 27, 2014

For Immediate Release

CALGARY NORTH WINS 2014 ATB ALBERTA CUP | CANMORE ANNOUNCED AS 2015 ATB ALBERTA HOST

Strathmore, AB – Calgary North defeated Northeast 5-4 on Sunday at the Strathmore Family Centre to capture the 2014 ATB Alberta Cup.

Calgary North allowed the opening goal just 11 seconds into the game, but were able to escape without damage, as the teams skated to a 2-2 tie after the first period.

In the second period, Calgary North opened up a two goal lead on goals from Akito Hirose and Christopher Monden, even though they were outshot by Northeast 11-9 in the frame.

The first half of the third went by without any scoring, it wasn’t until Jaxan Kaluski (Lloydminster, AB) scored with 8:34 left in the game to pull Northeast to within one goal.

Monden would score his second goal of the game on the empty net to give Calgary North an insurance goal with just over a minute left to play. The goal would prove to be the difference-maker.

Zane Franklin (Marwayne, AB) scored for Northeast with eight seconds left in the game, but the team wasn’t able to complete the comeback

It’s the first Alberta Cup championship for Calgary North since 2005, when the tournament was held in Edson, AB.

FINAL RESULTS - SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2014

CLICK HERE FOR STATS, RESULTS, ROSTERS AND MORE INFORMATION

2014 ATB ALBERTA CUP ALL-STARS

** All-stars were selected by WHL scouts and Team Alberta staff**

The 2014 Source for Sports Play SMART Award was handed out to Team Central for their exceptional sportsmanship, respect and attitudes both on and off the ice throughout the tournament. This award is voted on by each team, the officials and staff at the ATB Alberta Cup.

Hockey Alberta officially announced Sunday that Canmore, Alberta will host the 2015 ATB Alberta Cup. The Canmore hosting group is made up of Tourism Canmore/Kananaskis, the Canmore Eagles, the Town of Canmore and Canmore Minor Hockey. The 2015 ATB Alberta Cup will take place at the Canmore Recreation Centre, April 29 – May 3, 2015.

“We look forward to welcoming the top hockey players in the province for next year’s ATB Alberta Cup,” said John Borrowman, Mayor of Canmore. “Strathmore has done a wonderful job hosting the tournament this year and we know that the experience in Canmore will be just as memorable and meaningful for all participants.”

Hockey Alberta is proud to have the Western Hockey League, Reebok/CCM, Source for Sports, Alberta Sport Connection and Gatorade as event sponsors.

The ATB Alberta Cup Program begins in March each year with close to 800 players trying out at their respective zone camps. Each of the 160 athletes playing in the ATB Alberta Cup is competing for one of eighty invites to the U16 Male Provincial Camp in July. The U16 Male Provincial Camp is the final stage in the first year of the Team Alberta Program. The 1999-born athletes will also be the group that will represent Team Alberta at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, BC.

The ATB Alberta Cup is the premier event in the province that helps identify the top male players in Alberta.  It is well attended by scouts as they prepare for the Western Hockey League’s bantam draft. In addition to player evaluations, the competition is also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, trainers and referees to be evaluated for future positions with the Team Alberta Program.

Former ATB Alberta Cup graduates include such players as Jordan Eberle, Devan Dubnyk, Dany Heatley, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Hartnell and Devin Setoguchi.

ATB Financial is the title sponsor of all Team Alberta programs, including the ATB Alberta Cup and the ATB Alberta Challenge. The Team Alberta Male Program is a two year progression for elite athletes that begins at the ATB Alberta Cup, a U15 age level event, and progresses to the U17 age level. The Team Alberta Female Program is a four year progression for elite athletes that begins at the ATB Alberta Challenge, a U16 age level event, and progresses to the U18 age level. Team Alberta programs feed into Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.

                                                                                          -30-

For any media inquiries please contact Jimmy Adams, or for more information, visit www.hockeyalberta.ca.