By Western Hockey League

CALGARY, Alta. – Led by Logan Barlage, Team Saskatchewan is hoping for better fortunes when the 2016 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup kicks off its festivities this Wednesday at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.

The 2015 edition of the tournament saw the good ol’ prairie kids drop a 7-2 decision to Team B.C. in the bronze medal game, leaving them with a fourth place finish.

There’s plenty of pride in that green and gold flag and Barlage, a 15-year-old product of Humboldt and the fourth overall selection of the Swift Current Broncos, is set on restoring his province’s reputation.

“It’s definitely awesome to be able to represent Saskatchewan,” Barlage said. “I think everybody on the team feels the same way. It should be a good time and a good learning experience where we can show what we can do.

“We have a good team and good coaches, so as long as we buy into the systems I think we can compete with every team, for sure.”

Outside of a fourth place finish last year, Team Saskatchewan is in search of its first title at the annual event, having never taken top prize. The best finish for Saskatchewan came in 2012, when they won a bronze medal.

Gordon Burnett, an assistant coach with the WHL’s Kootenay ICE, is involved with Team Saskatchewan and working alongside head coach Rich Pilon as an assistant coach. A native of Regina, Burnett is in his second season as an assistant coach with the ICE, while this will be his first time at the Challenge Cup with Team Saskatchewan.

“Rich has been great,” Burnett told Chris Wahl, play-by-play voice of the ICE. “He’s a funny guy, he’s knowledgeable, coaches Midget AAA and knows the kids really well. The kids really like him. He’s been awesome for me.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me. I’m extremely proud to have the opportunity to work with those guys and represent my home province.”

Burnett has been on the ground with Team Saskatchewan since day one of the team selection process, which began with 140 players before being narrowed down to 43 prospective representatives. From there, Pilon and his staff worked the numbers down to 26 before settling on the final 20 that will represent Team Saskatchewan.

While the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Barlage burns up the front lines, Team Saskatchewan also boasts a pair of high-end blueliners holding down the fort in the defensive zone.

Kaedan Korczak was selected 11^th overall by the Kelowna Rockets, while Braden Schneider was a 12^th overall pick of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Both Korczak and Schneider stand 6-foot-1 and represent two pillars of strength on the back end for Team Saskatchewan.

Burnett might add some welcome insight into Team Alberta’s star scorer, Peyton Krebs, who was the first overall pick of the ICE at the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. If Saskatchewan is to find a way to the podium, shutting down players like Krebs is going to be critical.

“It’s scary thinking about Team Alberta with Peyton Krebs on the team,” Burnett said. “It’s awesome to watch him when he’s playing for us [with the ICE], but when I’m going to have to face him, it’s a little bit of a different story. Same with Jesse Makaj [goaltender for Team BC and an ICE prospect], he’s a good goaltender.”

As far as Barlage is concerned, the green and gold can hold its own with the likes of Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan. It just comes down to a few simple principles.

“Work your hardest every time you’re on the ice,” Barlage said. “I’ve said it before, we’ve got to buy into the systems. Once we do that, we’ve got a chance of doing well at this tournament. We’ve got a really good team and a lot of positive guys around our room.

“Everyone wants to do their best and show what Saskatchewan brings.”

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup is one of the first steps for the next generation of Western Canadian hockey stars like Barlage as they strive to develop and grow with sights set on professional careers. For the young Broncos prospect, the WHL’s developmental stepping stone was always the clear choice.

“It’s going to make me a better player – Swift Current is an awesome place,” Barlage said. “I know that they’re going to help me a lot. My experience in Swift Current already has helped me a lot in general.

“The WHL is the way to go, for me. I think it will help me develop a lot.”

The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup has been sponsored since 2009 by the WHL and has been made possible through financial support provided by the WHL, Hockey Manitoba, BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Hockey Canada.

This marks the sixth edition of the event. The first Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup was held in Blackfalds, Alta., in 2009 and featured four of the top eight players selected at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. In 2011, the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatchewan Hockey Association hosted the event at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw. In 2012, the tournament returned to Alberta, hosted in Calgary at Father David Bauer Arena – home of the WHL – where it remained for two years. In 2015, the tournament was once again hosted in Calgary, but shifted to the Markin MacPhail Centre.

Team Alberta is a four-time champion of the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, capturing the title in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Team BC won the event in 2012, while Team Manitoba and Team Saskatchewan are still seeking the crown.

TEAM SASKATCHEWAN ROSTER

Team Saskatchewan Round-Robin Schedule
*all games to be played at Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alta.

Wednesday, Oct. 19 – Team Saskatchewan at Team Alberta – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 20 – Team British Columbia at Team Saskatchewan – 3 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 21 – Team Saskatchewan at Team Manitoba – 3 p.m.

Ticket Information:

Early Bird tournament pass: $30 (available ONLINE until Oct. 16)
Minor hockey team tickets: 20 for $100 (contact marketing@whl.ca)