MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM -- It’s one of the biggest rewards for getting off to a good start to the season in all of minor hockey across Canada.
Every season, the top U18 AAA teams from all over North America gather in Calgary during the Christmas holidays for one of the highest-profile tournaments of the season: the Circle K Classic.
The event -- formerly known as the Mac’s Tournament -- will see two teams from the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League taking part, with the Regina Pat Canadians and Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors representing the league.
The clubs qualified by having the top two records in the SMAAAHL as of the Nov. 15 deadline, and needless to say, it’s a huge honour.
“We’re excited for the guys,” said Warriors head coach Trevor Weisgerber. “It’s a prestige tournament, and for the guys to be able to play in that end enjoy the exposure and everything, kudos to them for having such a good start and doing what we needed to do to get there.”
The Pat Canadians didn’t miss getting to the event last season by much, and getting that reward this time around was most certainly a positive.
“Absolutely. It’s great for the guys, they wanted that bad and it was a goal that they had,” said Regina head coach Ryan Hodgins. “Last year we came up short on that goal, but at the end of the day, it’s a bonus for them. We want two points every night, and if you do that (the Classic) takes care of itself.”
Regina had a 13-2-1 record at the deadline, good enough for 27 points and an .844 win percentage. Moose Jaw was right behind them with a 12-2-1 mark, 25 points and an .833 win percentage. That was enough to finish just ahead of the Prince Albert Mintos, Saskatoon Blazers and Swift Current Legionnaires in the top two.
What awaits the Warriors and Pat Cs in a little less than a month’s time is special.
Every team they face will be one of the top teams in their respective leagues, and there will even be an international flavour with Team Hungary once again returning to the event.
A total of 32 teams took part last season, with the Warman Wildcats going 1-3, Prince Albert Mintos also posting a 1-3 mark and Swift Current going winless at 0-4.
Legendary prep school Shattuck St. Mary’s defeated the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 3-0 in the gold medal final for their fifth Circle K Classic title.
With all that talent taking part, the event promises to be incredibly well-scouted, with hundreds of CHL and NCAA scouts taking in the proceedings. That could naturally lead to plenty of opportunities down the road.
“It’s good for the guys to get looked at, these guys will be scouted well,” Hodgins said. “They play the right way, they play hard and that’s what we’re all about as a team.”
Weisgerber was of much the same opinion.
“Any exposure these guys can get, that’s what it’s about,” Weisgerber said. “The amount of scouts and things that are there are all good. So we have a tough schedule leading up to then, we’ll have a little break and then get excited for that.”
The Circle K Classic schedule will be released in early December, so keep an eye on www.circlekclassic.ca and their social media for regular updates.
The Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors host the Battlefords Stars for a pair of games this weekend, playing Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
The Regina Pat Canadians host the Saskatoon Blazers and play at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and 3:45 p.m. on Sunday at the Co-Operators Arena.
