U-16 Western Challenge

Published 9:22 am Thursday, October 29, 2009

With a little break in Everett’s road trip, it gives us the opportunity to check in with the inaugural Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup, which kicks off today in Blackfalds, Alberta. This tournament pits 1994-born all-star teams from each of the four western provinces (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) against one another in a round-robin format.

To be honest, I’m not exactly sure of the purpose behind this tournament, other than to let everyone get a look at many of the picks from the past bantam draft together in one location. But Everett has one prospect on each team — center Jari Erricson for B.C., defenseman Nicholas Walters for Alberta, center Kohl Bauml for Saskatchewan, left wing Jordyn Boyd for Manitoba.

The Prince George Citizen did a nice story on Erricson in advance of the tournament, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere on its website. Perhaps it will pop up later today.