OTTAWA, ON – The Central Canada Hockey League is pleased to announce that it will participate in the 2023 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge Nov 13-15 in Trenton, ON with all games being played at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens. The Bay of Quinte Tourism and City of Quinte West have both supported the event financially and through their marketing departments.
The Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge is one of the premier Jr. A hockey events in the country and provides tremendous exposure for the top prospects of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) and the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL). Teams from the five leagues will play in front of scouts from all over the hockey world – including the NHL, NCAA, CHL and U SPORTS.
Additionally, it serves as a player identification event for the coaching staff for Team Canada East in player selection for the team’s annual training camp and subsequent entry into the World Junior A Challenge, Dec. 10-17 in Truro, N.S.
“On behalf of the five CJHL leagues, I want to express our appreciation to the Bay of Quinte Tourism and the City of Quinte West for their support of the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge,” said OJHL commissioner Marty Savoy.
“The Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge is one of the largest showcase events in all of junior hockey and to be able to partner with a community like Quinte West 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,” added Savoy.
The Eastern Canada Cup was last held in 2018 in Trenton. The ECCASC tournament format will feature 10 all-star teams, two each from the five eastern Canadian Jr. A leagues.
“The CCHL is very excited for the Eastern Canada Cup” said Central Canada Hockey league Commissioner Sean Marcellus. “It is a fantastic opportunity for all players to show off their skills to scouts from all over North America. It is also a prime chance for our players to showcase their skills in front of the Team Canada East coaching staff ahead of the World Junior A Challenge. We look forward to joining the other four Eastern Canada Junior A leagues at the event.”
“The Eastern Canada Cup is one of our premier Canadian events showcasing junior hockey in our country,” said Kevin Figsby, Commissioner of the QJHL. “It provides the opportunity for aspiring players to demonstrate top level talent in front of the watchful eyes of recruiters, scouts and talent evaluators right through the different pathways up to the NHL.”
“The Quebec Junior Hockey League is proud to be a partner in the Eastern Canada Cup, along with our CJHL partner leagues, in providing this opportunity to our players.”
A total of 23 games will be played using a modified two-period format in round-robin, quarter-final, semifinal and championship games.
Teams will be awarded three points for a win in regulation time, two points for an overtime triumph and one point for an overtime or shootout loss.
“We at the NOJHL are very honoured to once again be part of this prestigious event,” said league Commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“The chance for our players and staff to showcase themselves in front of a multitude of scouts over the three-day event is a tremendous opportunity to aid them in their quest to advance to the next level,” added Mazzuca.
The Trenton area is ready to host another high-end Jr. A hockey event.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming this prestigious event back to the City of Quinte West,” said Host Committee Chair John McDonald. “Bay of Quinte Tourism and the City of Quinte West have lent not only their financial support, but also their large voices and marketing capabilities. The Trenton Golden Hawks are thrilled to be partnering once again with the Ontario Junior Hockey League, along with Bay of Quinte Tourism and the municipality.”
“We look forward to welcoming scouts from around the world, and players from across Canada. There is also a major economic benefit to the region, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is a premier event and we are excited to get going. We thank the OJHL for all their leadership in obtaining this event.”
Game and ticket information for the 2023 Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge will be announced during the coming weeks along with other event details such as sponsors, rosters and coaching staff announcements.
For further information:
Jim Mason
Director of Communications
Ontario Junior Hockey League
416-846-5769
jmason@theojhl.ca
