When in doubt, score a goal. Sounds simple enough, right?

It certainly worked for the Braves de Valleyfield, who will bring the highest-scoring offence in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) to their first appearance at the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

The Braves averaged almost six goals per game in the regular season, potting 283 in 48 games (an average of 5.90 a game). They were one of just three CJHL teams to cross the five-goals-a-game threshold, joining a pair of Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ) rivals, Longueuil (5.15) and Beauce-Appalaches (5.08).

Valleyfield’s offensive success was helped in no small part by its lethal power play; it converted at a 35.2% clip, scoring more than a quarter of its goals (75 of 283) with the man advantage.

James Swan and Nathan Lévesque were the dynamic duo up front, finishing one-two in LHJAAAQ scoring with 89 points apiece. Swan was the trigger man, scoring 58 goals (no one else in the league reached 40), while Lévesque piled up 72 assists (no one else had more than 55).

How good were the Braves’ top scorers? Samuel Fréchette was third in team scoring; his 56 points were 33 less than Swan and Lévesque, good for 24th in the LHJAAAQ.

But the road to Calgary was not all red lights and goal songs; Valleyfield was tested in its run through the LHJAAAQ, needing seven games to dispatch Granby in the semifinals (although the 13-3 win in Game 7 was about as emphatic as they come) and facing a 2-2 series in the league final with Longueuil before finishing things off in six games.

Next comes a chance for history; only once in the first 52 editions of Canada’s National Junior A Championship has a team from La Belle Province reached the championship game – the 1993 Élites de Châteauguay.

HOW THEY GOT TO CALGARY

Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec

Quarterfinal: defeated Panthères de Saint-Jerome 4-0 (4-1, 5-2, 6-1, 8-3)
Semifinal: defeated Indigo de Granby 4-3 (6-4, 3-5, 5-3, 8-4, 4-5 OT, 1-2, 13-3)
Final: defeated Collège Français de Longueuil 4-2 (4-3, 7-3, 3-9, 2-6, 8-5, 3-1)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 37-9-2 (1st in LHJAAAQ)
Goals for: 283 (1st in LHJAAAQ)
Goals against: 189 (7th in LHJAAAQ)
Power play: 75 for 213 (35.2% – 1st in LHJAAAQ)
Penalty killing: 164 of 223 (73.5% – 10th in LHJAAAQ)
Longest winning streak: 15 (Jan. 16-March 6)

Top 3 scorers:
• James Swan – 58G 31A 89P (1st in LHJAAAQ)
• Nathan Lévesque – 17G 72A 89P (2nd in LHJAAAQ)
• Samuel Fréchette – 25G 31A 56P (24th in LHJAAAQ)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-5
Goals for: 90
Goals against: 60
Power play: 20 for 65 (30.8%)
Penalty killing: 53 of 71 (74.7%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Vincent Gauthier – 15G 11A 26P
• Nathan Lévesque – 8G 18A 26P
• Zachary Larocque – 12G 11A 23P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

None

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Sept. 30 – 18th
Oct. 7 – 15th
Oct. 14 – 10th
Oct. 21 – 15th
Oct. 28 – 11th
Nov. 4 – 15th
Nov. 11 – 10th
Nov. 18 – 15th
Nov. 25 – 16th
Dec. 2 – 17th
Dec. 9 – 16th
Dec. 16 – 18th
Dec. 23 – 18th
Jan. 6 – 16th
Jan. 13 – 16th
Jan. 20 – 18th
Jan. 27 – 18th
Feb. 3 – 13th
Feb. 10 – 12th
Feb. 17 – 12th
Feb. 24 – 10th
March 3 – 9th
March 10 – 12th

Start fast. Finish strong. It’s a pretty good blueprint for success.

The Edmundston Blizzard did just that this season, and it has brought them all the way west to Calgary for the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, and their first appearance on the national stage.

The Blizzard were dominant from the first drop of the puck in the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), winning 17 of their first 18 games and 17 of their last 18 games.

They put together win streaks of eight, nine, and 14 games at various points through the regular season and only lost back-to-back games once, in their first two games of 2025. In all, their 44-6-2 record gave them a 24-point cushion in the North Division and a 10-point edge atop the overall MHL standings.

And Edmundston was just as good in the playoffs, losing just once in 13 games to claim its second MHL championship and first since 2018.

After brushing aside Miramichi in five games – with a 7-6 double-overtime loss in Game 2 the lone blemish on their playoff record – the Blizzard swept through Campbellton and Pictou County, playing only a single one-goal game in the final two rounds while winning six by at least three goals.

It was the defence that led the way all year long for Edmundston; it allowed only 126 goals in 52 regular-season games, 22 fewer than the next-best defensive team.

After seven different goaltenders played at least three games during the regular season, the one-two punch of Austin Caley and Frédéric Cousineau took over in the playoffs. Caley, who was acquired from Truro on Jan. 9, has yet to lose a game for the Blizzard, going a combined 16-0 in the regular season and playoffs with a 2.21 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.

The Blizzard are looking to end a long drought for MHL teams at Canada’s National Junior A Championship; it has been 23 years since the Halifax Oland Exports won the league’s most recent national title, and only once since then – Summerside in 2013 – has an MHL team reached the final.

HOW THEY GOT TO CALGARY

Maritime Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Miramichi Timberwolves 4-1 (5-0, 6-7 2OT, 7-3, 3-2, 3-2)
Semifinal: defeated Campbellton Tigers 4-0 (4-3, 6-3, 4-1, 6-3)
Final: defeated Pictou County Crushers 4-0 (7-3, 6-3, 7-2, 3-1)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 44-6-2 (1st in MHL)
Goals for: 238 (4th in MHL)
Goals against: 126 (4th in MHL)
Power play: 42 for 190 (22.1% – 4th in MHL)
Penalty killing: 146 of 179 (81.6% – 3rd in MHL)
Longest winning streak: 14 (Jan. 9-Feb. 20)

Top 3 scorers:
• Philippe Collette – 26G 58A 84P (3rd in MHL)
• Jérémy D’Astous – 30G 52A 72P (5th in MHL)
• Carl-Anthony Massé – 23G 45A 77P (10th in MHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-1
Goals for: 67
Goals against: 33
Power play: 15 for 56 (26.8%)
Penalty killing: 41 of 51 (80.4%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Carl-Anthony Massé – 10G 12A 22P
• Jérémy D’Astous – 8G 13A 21P
• Philippe Collette – 5G 14A 20P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Jérémy D’Astous – Université de Moncton (2025-26)
Carl-Anthony Massé – Université de Moncton (2025-26)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Sept. 30 – 4th
Oct. 7 – 4th
Oct. 14 – 4th
Oct. 21 – 2nd
Oct. 28 – 2nd
Nov. 4 – 2nd
Nov. 11 – 2nd
Nov. 18 – 2nd
Nov. 25 – 1st
Dec. 2 – 2nd
Dec. 9 – 2nd
Dec. 16 – 4th
Dec. 23 – 3rd
Jan. 6 – 5th
Jan. 13 – 7th
Jan. 20 – 5th
Jan. 27 – 4th
Feb. 3 – 4th
Feb. 10 – 4th
Feb. 17 – 4th
Feb. 24 – 6th
March 3 – 3rd
March 10 – 1st

They’re back, and this time they’ve got home-ice advantage.

The host Calgary Canucks are returning to the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, as champions of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL)for the second year in a row after a dominant run through the AJHL playoffs.

The Canucks dropped just one of 13 postseason games and finishing with 10 straight wins, the final four coming in a sweep of the Grande Prairie Storm – the second-consecutive year they have swept the AJHL final.

Calgary returns eight players from the team that was edged 2-1 by the Melfort Mustangs in the semifinals a year ago in Oakville, including regular-season leading scorer Jack Plandowski (34-45—79) and playoff scoring star Bowden Singleton (6-18—24).

Offence was the calling card of these Canucks; Calgary led the AJHL with 255 goals, 46 more than any other team in the league, and poured in 74 in just 13 playoff games – an average of almost six per game. It flexed its offensive muscle against the Storm, scoring 29 goals in the four games.

Five Canucks reached the 20-goal plateau in the regular season, led by Plandowski’s league-leading 34, and Hayden Fechner recorded 11 in 13 playoff games.

One of the most impressive stats from the Canucks’ regular season, though, came at the other end of the ice – Calgary killed 89.4% of opposition power plays, allowing just 19 power-play goals, although that number did slide to just 71.7% in the playoffs.

The 1995 Centennial Cup champions, the Canucks will look to continue a run of relatively recent success for host teams at Canada’s National Junior A Championship; although they have struggled since the tournament returned from a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hosts from 2013-19 appeared in six of seven championship games and won four national titles (Portage – 2015; Cobourg – 2017 ; Chilliwack – 2018 ; Brooks – 2019 ).

HOW THEY GOT TO CALGARY

Alberta Junior Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Camrose Kodiaks 4-1 (4-2, 9-4, 4-5, 5-2, 5-2)
Semifinal: defeated Drumheller Dragons 4-0 (4-3, 6-2, 3-1, 5-2)

Final: defeated Grande Prairie Storm 4-0 (9-3, 6-4, 7-4, 7-3)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 37-13-4 (1st in AJHL)
Goals for: 255 (1st in AJHL)
Goals against: 139 (2nd in AJHL)
Power play: 55 for 238 (23.1% – 1st in AJHL)
Penalty killing: 161 of 180 (89.4% – 1st in AJHL)
Longest winning streak: 6 (Sept. 22-Oct. 6)

Top 3 scorers:
• Jack Plandowski – 34G 45A 79P (1st in AJHL)
• Bowden Singleton – 24G 37A 61P (3rd in AJHL)
• Nolan DuPont – 21G 35A 56P (7th in AJHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-1
Goals for: 74
Goals against: 37
Power play: 15 for 59 (25.4%)
Penalty killing: 38 of 53 (71.7%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Bowden Singleton – 6G 18A 24P
• Jack Plandowski – 5G 13A 18P
• Hayden Fechner – 11G 6A 17P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

1995 – Calgary Canucks | national champions | 5-1 | 25GF 17GA
2024 – Calgary Canucks | 3rd place | 4-2 | 21GF 15GA

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Jayden Joly – Western Michigan University (2025-26)
Landon Pappas – Bemidji State University (2025-26)
Bowden Singleton – Tennessee State University (2025-26)
Wade Wallace – Niagara University (2025-26)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Sept. 30 – not ranked
Oct. 7 – 14th
Oct. 14 – not ranked
Oct. 21 – not ranked
Oct. 28 – not ranked
Nov. 4 – not ranked
Nov. 11 – not ranked
Nov. 18 – not ranked
Nov. 25 – not ranked
Dec. 2 – not ranked
Dec. 9 – not ranked
Dec. 16 – not ranked
Dec. 23 – Honourable Mention
Jan. 6 – 19th
Jan. 13 – not ranked
Jan. 20 – Honourable Mention
Jan. 27 – not ranked
Feb. 3 – not ranked
Feb. 10 – Honourable Mention
Feb. 17 – Honourable Mention
Feb. 24 – 19th
March 3 – 18th
March 10 – 15th

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has unveiled the schedules and ticket package details for the 2025 editions of the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup and Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

"We are grateful to the three amazing communities who have dedicated countless hours and put forward an immeasurable effort to play host to these three major events,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact. “The passion, teamwork and unwavering commitment has brought these events to life, that will create memories that will last a lifetime for the athletes, coaches, officials and fans.”

“We are also grateful to BC Hockey, Hockey Alberta, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for their efforts and support to deliver these events and look forward to continuing to work with them into the spring.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Esso Cup, TELUS Cup or Centennial Cup can now sign up here to support the delivery of three of Hockey Canada’s marquee national championships.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will air select tournament games, with a full broadcast and streaming schedule to be announced at a later date.

2025 Esso Cup – Lloydminster, Alberta

The Esso Cup returns to Alberta for the first time since 2022, with the Lloydminster Steelers set to host Canada’s U18 Women’s National Club Championship, April 20-26 at the Centennial Civic Centre.

Joined by five regional champions from across Canada, the Steelers will play their first game on April 20 at 7 p.m. MT against the Atlantic Region winners, following matchups between the Pacific and Quebec champions and Ontario and West titlists earlier in the day.

After each team plays five preliminary-round games, the top four clubs will advance to the semifinals on April 25, with the medal games scheduled for April 26.

Tickets for the 2025 Esso Cup can be purchased here.

2025 TELUS Cup – Fraser Valley, British Columbia

The host Fraser Valley Thunderbirds will welcome five regional champions to the West Coast for the 2025 TELUS Cup, Canada’s U18 Men’s National Club Championship, April 21-27 at the Chilliwack Coliseum.

The Thunderbirds open their schedule against the West Region champions on April 21 at 7 p.m. PT to finish a three-game opening day that also sees the Central winners face the Atlantic champs and Quebec titlists play the Pacific champions.

Semifinals are scheduled for April 26, before the medal games on April 27.

Tickets for the 2025 TELUS Cup can be purchased here.

2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons – Calgary, Alberta

In partnership with the CJHL and AJHL, Canada’s top Junior A teams will compete for the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, May 8-18 at the Max Bell Centre. The host Calgary Canucks will be joined by nine champions from across the CJHL.

Teams will be separated into two groups and each play four preliminary-round games, with the quarterfinals scheduled for May 16, semifinals on May 17 and championship game on May 18.

Group A will include the champions from the AJHL, Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Superior International Hockey League (SIHL).

The host Canucks and champions from the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec (LHJAAAQ), Maritime Hockey League (MHL) and Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) comprise Group B.

Tickets for the 2025 Centennial Cup can be purchased here.

For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) have announced that the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be played in Calgary for the first time in the 54-year history of the tournament.

The Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) – who reached the semifinals of the 2024 tournament as AJHL champions – will welcome nine champions from across the CJHL from May 8-18, 2025 at the Max Bell Centre.

“We are ecstatic to bring Canada’s National Junior A Championship to Calgary next spring,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice-president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “The Centennial Cup has a storied history and the City of Calgary has deep hockey roots, both at the professional and junior levels. We cannot wait to bring the top Junior A players in the country to Alberta to compete for a national championship.”

The 10-team field for the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, includes the host Canucks, along with champions from the AJHL, Central Canada Hockey League, Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Maritime Hockey League, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Superior International Junior Hockey League.

“The CJHL is thrilled that the Calgary Canucks have been named hosts of the 2025 Centennial Cup,” said Andy Harkness, president of the CJHL. “The Canucks and the Alberta Junior Hockey League have put a significant number of resources towards bidding for the right to host the event, and we know our member clubs will be treated to a week of excellent hockey and western hospitality.”

It is the eighth time Alberta will host the Centennial Cup since the tournament began in 1971, with Calgary joining Edmonton (1975), Olds (1994), Fort McMurray (2000), Grande Prairie (2004), Camrose (2011), Lloydminster (2016) and Brooks (2019).

“Calgary is thrilled to be welcoming the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, for the first time in 2025,” says Carson Ackroyd, vice-president of sales with Tourism Calgary. “This prestigious event, hosted by the Calgary Canucks, highlights our city’s rich hockey heritage, and offers an exciting opportunity to showcase Calgary’s vibrant community and renowned hospitality. We look forward to welcoming teams and fans from across Canada to the Max Bell Centre for an unforgettable tournament.”

Details regarding schedules, ticket packages and broadcast information for the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, will be announced at a later date. Fans can sign up now to receive ticket information or become a Hockey Canada Insider and receive advanced access to tickets and other promotions.

To learn more about Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

OAKVILLE, Ontario – The Collingwood Blues captured the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, with a 1-0 shutout of the Melfort Mustangs on Sunday. 

It was a night of redemption for the Blues, who were knocked out of the 2023 Centennial Cup in the quarterfinals, but returned to go undefeated at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. With the win, the Blues became the first Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) team to win Canada’s National Junior A Championship since the Cobourg Cougars in 2017, and the first OJHL champions to win the national title since the Aurora Tigers in 2007 (Cobourg was the host team).

The first period had no scoring, with Collingwood holding a 13-4 edge in shots. The deadlock continued until the 4:01 mark of the second period, when Jack Silverman (Toronto, ON) tipped a shot past Melfort goaltender James Venne (Saskatoon, SK) on the power play to give his team a 1-0 lead.

“I was just trying to stay calm. The goal came halfway through the game and we still had a long way to go,” Silverman said. “We had been playing well and we got the bounce that was coming to us, I was in the right spot and Robbie [Jack Robertson] put a perfect shot right on my stick and I was happy to tip it home. The amount of people around the rink cheering us on, it’s really the best feeling in the world to have the best fans in this league.”

Goaltending would be the story for the rest of the game as both netminders would turn aside every shot that came their way. Noah Pak (Oakville, ON) turned aside all 23 shots he faced on the way to Collingwood’s first national title.

“All the work that everyone puts in—we worked so hard for this. To get it done means the world,” said head coach Andrew Campoli. “I’ll be honest, it hurt leaving last time, and [coming into this year’s tournament] we had some unfinished business and the job is done.”

Full game stats and story are available HERE.

Collingwood was undefeated through the preliminary round to win Group A with a perfect 4-0 record. The Blues posted wins over the Calgary Canucks (5-4), Greater Sudbury Cubs (10-2), Collège Français de Longueuil (8-0), Navan Grads (3-2) before a 5-2 semifinal win over the Miramichi Timberwolves.

Before the game, the tournament award winners were announced:

• Most Valuable Player: Julien Gervais (Windsor, ON) – Calgary Canucks
• Best Forward: Dalton Andrew (Brandon, MB) – Winkler Flyers
• Best Defender: Leith Olafson (Wasa, BC) – Melfort Mustangs
• Best Goaltender: Jaeden Nelson (Ottawa, ON) – Navan Grads
• Most Sportsmanlike Player: Riley Hearn (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 Centennial Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

From 117 teams down to two, either the Collingwood Blues or the Melfort Mustangs will be lifting the Centennial Cup.

As we prepare to crown Canada’s national Junior A champions, let’s look back at the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, by the numbers.

3 – Shutouts through the semifinals; Collingwood’s Noak Pak (against Longueuil), Winkler’s Malachi Klassen (against Oakville) and Greater Sudbury’s Noah Beaulne (against Longueuil) all earned clean sheets.

7 – Days between when the Miramichi Timberwolves won the MHL championship to qualify for the Centennial Cup and their first game of the tournament.

16 – Officials who worked the Centennial Cup. The crew had a wide representation from across the country, from Edmonton, Alberta, to Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia.

29 – Shootout attempts by players; the Melfort Mustangs, Calgary Canucks and Miramichi Timberwolves each earned shootout victories in the preliminary round, with none going past the required five rounds.

40 – Days between the conclusion of the host Oakville Blades’ playoff run and their first game of the tournament, the longest break of any competing team (the Calgary Canucks had the second-longest at 22 days).

49 – Power play goals scored through the semifinals. Spencer Young and Cody Pisarczyk lead the tournament with three power play goals each.

141 – Media interviews conducted through the semifinals. This includes broadcast interviews for the HockeyCanada.ca livestream, accredited media from the CJHL and Hockey Canada feature stories.

120 – Volunteers to help the tournament run behind the scenes, including off-ice officials, team services and transportation.

121 – Canadians who attended their first hockey game through the Tim Hortons Families First Faceoff Initative. The families were treated to Hockey Canada swag and centre-ice tickets, and enjoyed Tim Hortons after the game.

150 – Members of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies who attended the preliminary-round game between the Sioux Lookout Bombers and Melfort Mustangs in honour of Children and Youth in Care Day, celebrated on May 14.

167 – Goals scored through the semifinals. Miramichi Timberwolves’ Elliot Robert had seven goals in six games for the most goals by one player.

377 – Accreditations issued for team personnel.

678 – Pucks used through the semifinals.

1,455 – Minutes of hockey played through the semifinals. Only three games went beyond 60 minutes – Melfort vs. Winkler, Calgary vs. Navan and Miramichi vs. Winkler all required shootouts to decide a winner.

1,440 – Bottles of Gatorade consumed by the 10 teams.

1,497 – Students and staff that cheered on teams during the five school-day games.

9,204 – Kilometres travelled by all teams to Oakville (according to Google Maps). The shortest distance travelled was by the Collingwood Blues, who are 124.6 km away, while the Calgary Canucks travelled 2700.5 km to compete.

39,423 – Photos taken by Hockey Canada Images photographers Heather Pollock and Lori Bolliger through the semifinals. They included on-ice action, player headshots, behind-the-scenes exclusives and partner activations.

One year ago, Julian Molinaro watched every second of the Centennial Cup from the bench.

In fact, the goaltender didn’t see the ice at all in the Collingwood Blues’ run to the quarterfinals of Canada’s National Junior A Championship, serving as backup as Noah Pak played every second of the Blues’ 24 postseason games.

But this season, it’s a much different story.

One thing has remained the same, though—Molinaro is back at the national championship. He’s just got a much more active role, stopping pucks for the Calgary Canucks as they chase a national title.

And since the hockey gods work in mysterious ways, it was fitting that when Molinaro and the Canucks hit the ice for their first game on May 9, it was Pak standing in the crease at the other end.

Neither goaltender will be adding that game to their personal highlight reel—Molinaro allowed five goals on 26 shots, while Pak surrendered four for just the sixth time in 62 starts as the Canucks dropped a 5-4 decision in a game dominated by special teams.

“Before [the game], I walked into the rink and I saw the Collingwood equipment manager, Richard Judges. So it was kind of crazy,” Molinaro says of seeing familiar faces. “Once I got on the ice, it was so weird playing against Noah and [Mark] McIntosh, [Spencer] Young, all those guys. Obviously, I didn't have my best [game]. Probably one of my worst games of the year, but it's all right. We'll see them again, hopefully.”

When the 2022-23 season ended for Collingwood with its 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Jr. Senators in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, so too did Molinaro’s time as a Blue. He was terrific as a backup, fashioning a 2.33 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 20 appearances, but with Pak set to return for a final Junior A season, Molinaro was ready for a change, and an opportunity to be a starter.

Enter Canucks head coach and general manager Brad Moran, who officially acquired the goaltender on July 11.

“I know he didn't play in the playoffs, but he had been through the experience,” Moran says of Molinaro’s time in Collingwood, “and to come through a winning team in a playoffs where you don't play, but have your teammates, coaches and everyone else commending you for the attitude [and] the effort was something that definitely opened our eyes.”

The Mississauga, Ontario, native was even better than advertised, leading all Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) puck-stoppers with 27 wins and six shutouts, and finishing third with a 2.60 GAA and .916 save percentage.

He then won 12 of his 15 postseason starts with terrific numbers (2.56 GAA, .908 SV%), backstopping the Canucks to their first AJHL championship since 1999 and their first trip to the Centennial Cup since they won their lone national title in 1995.

“Deep down I knew I could [be a starter], but you don't actually know until you do it,” Molinaro says. “And once I got the chance and the opportunity to run with things and Brad gave me the ball, I think I really got in the groove and it helped me a lot. It's a great feeling, knowing you have the whole staff and team behind you.”

“He came in, he was the top goalie in our league this year in my mind, and gave us a chance to win every night,” Moran adds. “He pushed our guys on and off the ice, and that's what we want.”

Two days after the Canucks finished their sweep of the Whitecourt Wolverines to win the AJHL title, Molinaro officially committed to Northern Michigan University, where he’ll join the Wildcats this fall.

It’s been nothing but success for the 20-year-old, and no one is happier for him than his former partner.

“He's got an unreal work ethic, one of the hardest working guys I know,” Pak says. “I'm super happy for him and getting his commitment and his success this year… couldn't be happier for him.”

But there’s one more piece of the puzzle that makes this homecoming even more special for Molinaro.

He and his father, Jason, were fixtures at Blades games as Julian grew up, and when the Canucks stepped onto the ice at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex for the first time, Molinaro knew just where to look.

“I almost started crying, because my dad was in the corner where we grew up watching Blades games,” he says. “I've been at this rink since I was seven years old watching the Blades every Friday night, and me and my dad always sat in the same corner, and now to be on the ice and him to be in that corner, I think it's unbelievable. It's really full circle.”

Now all that’s left is the Hollywood ending. The Canucks face the Winkler Flyers in a Friday quarterfinal, with a semifinal date with the Melfort Mustangs awaiting the winner.

This year’s playoffs are one for the record books for the Miramichi Timberwolves, and now the focus turns to an opportunity to compete for a national title at the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

When the postseason began, the Timberwolves were in the middle of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) standings, fourth with a 31-16-2 record, scoring the fifth-most goals (211), allowing the fourth-most goals against (182). Special teams were a bright spot for Miramichi, boasting an 82.1% success rate on the penalty kill.

However, when it was time for the playoffs, the Timberwolves kicked things into high gear. After a five-game series with the third-place West Kent Steamers, Miramichi swept the Edmundston Blizzard for a spot in the MHL final against the first-place Summerside Western Capitals.

It was a close matchup with five one-goal games, but the Timberwolves got the job done in six games to win the first MHL championship in their 24th season and advance to the Centennial Cup for the first time.

Ludovic Dufort was a leader on offence, registering 46 goals and 82 points during the regular season. The 21-year-old added three goals and 16 points during the playoffs.

Goaltender Jack Flanagan came off the bench during Game 3 against the Steamers and went on an 11-2 run, posting a 2.86 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The 19-year-old earned playoff MVP honours for his efforts.

The Timberwolves also have talent behind the bench. Kory Baker played 15 years of pro hockey in the ECHL, Sweden, Denmark and Finland before returning home to Miramichi to become head coach at the start of the 2022-23 season.

It’s been over 20 years since an Atlantic team has won Canada’s National Junior A Championship. The Halifax Oland Exports were the last national titlists, winning on home ice in 2002.

HOW THEY GOT TO OAKVILLE

Maritime Junior Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated West Kent Steamers 4-1 (3-5, 5-1, 2-1, 5-4, 4-3 OT)
Semifinal: defeated Edmundston Blizzard 4-0 (3-2, 5-4, 4-3 2OT, 4-2)
Final: defeated Summerside Western Capitals 4-2 (5-6 2OT, 5-1, 4-3, 4-3, 1-2 2OT, 5-4)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 31-16-2 (4th in MHL)
Goals for: 211 (5th in MHL)
Goals against: 182 (4th in MHL)
Power play: 43 for 209 (20.6% – 7th in MHL)
Penalty killing: 170 of 207 (82.1% – 3rd in MHL)
Longest winning streak: 7 (Sept. 27-Oct. 22)

Top 3 scorers:
• Ludovic Dufort – 46G 36A 82P (3rd in MHL)
• Hugo Audette – 14G 46A 60P (18th in MHL)
• Jeremy Duhamel – 23G 35A 58P (20th in MHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-3
Goals for: 59
Goals against: 44
Power play: 11 for 52 (21.2%)
Penalty killing: 42 of 53 (79.2%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Zachael Turgeon – 9G 14A 23P
• David Doucet – 13G 7A 20P
• Hugo Audette – 3G 17A 20P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Jeremy Duhamel – Nipissing University (2024-25)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Oct. 2 – not ranked
Oct. 9 – 16th
Oct. 16 – 8th
Oct. 23 – 8th
Oct. 30 – 9th
Nov. 6 – 14th
Nov. 13 – 19th
Nov. 20 – not ranked
Nov. 27 – Honourable Mention
Dec. 4 – not ranked
Dec. 11 – not ranked
Dec. 18 – not ranked
Jan. 8 – not ranked
Jan. 15 – not ranked
Jan. 22 – not ranked
Jan. 29 – not ranked
Feb. 5 – not ranked
Feb. 12 – not ranked
Feb. 19 – not ranked
Feb. 26 – not ranked
March 4 – not ranked
March 11 – 11th