The tournament — which will be played online on the Playstation 4 version of the popular NHL 21 video game by EA Sports — will feature players from all 60 CHL teams and four special guests playing through a single-elimination tournament from Nov. 28 through Dec. 17.
Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Cory King will represent the local WHL franchise, and will have the eyes of the entire team on him as he takes Kyrell Sopotyk of the Kamloops Blazers in the first round of the event on Dec. 5 at 4:40 p.m. All games will be broadcast on Facebook Live and Twitch, and fans can follow along on social media at #KiaCHLeCup.
And you better believe his teammates have let King know they’ll be tuning in.
“A few of them have been texting me already, grilling me and saying I better perform, but we’ll see how it goes,” King said from his home in Souris, Man. “They’ll be giving me the gears before the game, for sure.”
King ‘earned’ the right to represent the Warriors by showcasing his skills on the Warriors U.S. bus trip last season — he joined with Cade Hayes to defeat Ryder Korczak and Calder Anderson in one particular skill-filled match-up.
Despite that defeat, Anderson was going to originally represent the Warriors in the tournament, but at the time the event was announced he was still committed to playing with the Neepawa Natives of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, meaning there was potential to run into a conflict with practice and game schedules.
That put the spotlight on King, and he’s looking forward to the opportunity to put himself to the test next weekend.
“It’s really good because everyone is getting bored with nothing happening right now, so it’s good that they have something going on to keep everyone interested… it’s really cool that it’s Canada-wide too,” he said.
So, down to the nitty gritty.
King has confidence in his ability to put up a few wins in the draw if things go his way, even with the level of unknowns involved. But he’s under no illusion that things will be easy.
“Oh, I think I’m pretty good, but it’s tough to say,” he said. “I hope I can win a few at least. I bet there are some guys out there who are pretty good.”
As one might expect, King has played the NHL franchise on various systems throughout his years growing up. Most of that time was spent taking on his brothers in house, though, and not as much online.
He just picked up a copy of the game recently and has been honing his skills since.
“I’ll have to get some practice in before the big day,” King said. “It’s pretty much the same as NHL 20, though, so it should be okay.”
And if things go as well as he hopes?
“If I can win a few, it’s going to be lots of pressure as I get close to the end,” he said. “There are lots of teams, though, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
King isn’t the only player with Warriors connections taking part in the event. Brandon Wheat Kings forward Luka Burzan will face off against Jacob Santerre of the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in his first round match (Nov. 28, 4:05 p.m.) while Regina Pats forward Carson Denomie will do battle with Carter Murchison of the QMJHL Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (Nov. 30, 6:25 p.m.).
With a victory, King will face the winner of the game between Majid Kaddoura of the Prince George Cougars and Jalen Luypen of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
All games will be broadcast on Facebook Live and Twitch, and fans can follow along on social media at #KiaCHLeCup.
