QUINTE WEST, Ont. — The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), in conjunction with the City of Quinte West, the Central Canada Junior Hockey League (CCHL), Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) and the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL), announced Monday that the 2018 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge will return to the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens in Trenton, Ont., from November 19-21, 2018.
The Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge is one of the premier Junior A hockey events in the country and provides tremendous exposure for the top prospects of the OJHL, CCHL, NOJHL, LHJAAAQ and the MHL to play in front of scouts from all over the hockey world – including the NHL, NCAA, CHL and USports.
Additionally, it also serves as a player identification event for the coaching staff for Team Canada East in player selection for the yearly training camp and subsequent entry into the World Junior A Challenge.
“On behalf of the five CJHL leagues, I want to express our appreciation to the City of Quinte West and Trenton for their support of the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge,” stated OJHL commissioner Marty Savoy.
“This event is one of the largest all star events in all of junior hockey and to be able to partner with Quinte West and Trenton allows for the opportunity for all of us to deliver a great experience for not only the close to 200 elite Junior hockey players but also the great fans in this area of Ontario.”
A total of 12 all-star squads will compete in a tournament format that will consist of four teams from the OJHL and two each the CCHL, QJHL, MHL and NOJHL.
A total of 21 games will be played to determine the champion with each team playing a modified two-period game in a round robin, semifinal and championship game.
Teams will be awarded three points for the win, two points for an overtime victory and one for an OT loss.
“The City of Quinte West is looking forward to hosting this high calibre hockey tournament for the second year in a row,” said Jim Harrison, Mayor of the City of Quinte West.
“We are expecting great spectator turnout from local schools and sports teams as well as sponsorship from local businesses who can all benefit from having this event in our community.”
For the first time ever in the history of the event, the NOJHL will be sending two teams to compete during the course of the three-day inter-league tourney.
“We at the NOJHL are very excited to now have two teams taking part in the Eastern Canada Cup,” offered NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“The opportunity to provide double exposure by having two teams of our players and coaching staffs representing the league and showcase their talents at such a heavily scouted tournament is a tremendous opportunity,” added Mazzuca.
Game and ticket information for the 2018 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge will be announced in the coming weeks along with other event details such as sponsors, rosters and coaching staffs.